'Produce 101' season 2's controversial method of standing trainees on the streets to test popularity comes to light

[My Everything]

 

After the latest episode of Mnet's 'Produce 101' season 2, the controversial 'Popularity Test' carried out by the show last week has come to light.

 

About a day before the concept evaluation stages took place last week, some of the trainees were instructed to stand out in the streets, mostly nearby subway station entrances and exits, to see if people would recognize them by name. If approaching passersby could not say the name of the trainee standing there, they had to advertise themselves by doing some sort of PR whether it was dance, singing, etc.

 

Netizens took photos of the trainees who were spotted standing on the bustling streets, wearing casual, matching clothing provided by 'Produce 101'. According to those who spotted some of the trainees in person, many of them lacked proper bodyguards, creating the potential for dangerous situations, both for the trainees as well as for fans and others in the surrounding area.

 

Fans of MMO's Yoon Ji Sung claimed that his area was so overcrowded and hectic, the trainee wasn't able to perform any sort of PR, just constantly apologizing and asking people not to get too close or push.

 

Netizens criticized Mnet's method of testing the trainees' popularity, pointing out that the event was "belittling the low-ranking trainees" more than anything. Comments included, "How could they do this to boys who have to practice for their stages the next day", "This is ridiculous", "Are the boys your toys or something?", "If you're bored, go work on some better editing", "I feel so bad for them... why is this necessary", and more.

 

It seems that only trainees who were part of the group performing "Showtime" were spotted on this particular day. It's uncertain if trainees from other groups will be doing this mission in the future. 

 

 

Source

[Lizzo]

MNET U  R TOO FUCKING CRUEL]

 

 

FUCK

[ichnite]

that's fucked up.

[Frogurt]

The editing comment, lol

[Platty]

That's messed up. Mnet is really trashy this year

[illumi oppa]

and the next day they had to perform 

mnet being trash is nothing new

[IKKY]

Classic mnet

There's seriously trash and so cruel to these boys. Sigh.

[caffe]

Next time Mnet decides to do one of these shows of theirs, somebody better put the whole workgroup through some kind of drug and intelligence tests... This whole P101 has been one huge scandal...

[Azúcargirl]

Poor boys

[KoreaBeau]

the people of mnet only think about the boys as toys & a way to make money

 

this is unbelievable, cancel this show already, no more season 3

[Roona]

Mnet is trash

[sumac]

What the hell? 

And the producers were surprised when companies didn't want their trainees to participate 

[amortentia]

what the fuck

[parkyeols]

MNET SERIOUSLY WHAT ARE U DOING 

ARE U WAITING FOR THE BOYS' PARENTS TO COME SUE YOU BEFORE YOU STOP THIS NONSENSE???

[starfruit]

mnet needs to Stop

[where my hood unnies at]

this is literally so pointless and evil like.......why?

[Hqnnik]

I'm worried what if they get jumped or something? and robbing them of their practice time?

[holywater hyung]

hello Mnet,

 

 

-Pledis CEO-

[the8 is my m8]

lmaoooo this is hilarious and holy shit that roast abt their editing what a savage

[Chocochan]

mnevil

[semisomniac]

what the fuck??!?!?! that's what it was?!

poor sanggyun, nobody approached him. how awful he must have felt...

every time I think I hate Mnet as much as I possibly can, they do something that somehow makes me even angrier

[________________]

what the fuck??!?!?! that's what it was?!

poor sanggyun, nobody approached him. how awful he must have felt...

every time I think I hate Mnet as much as I possibly can, they do something that somehow makes me even angrier

You need tough skin to survive P101.

[oreoriginal.]

I've always thought this season was cruel (the trainees crying for help on live tv made me get kinda emotional) but this is next level degrading... :(

[ASS]

This is terrible

[Caridee]

If they wanted to do this they should've atleast made it funny like infinity challenge. The pics just look too cruel