CJ ENM CEO apologizes for the Produce 101 vote manipulation scandals + CJ ENM CEO announces X1 and IZ*ONE may resume their activities

[Lee]

 

Spoiler

 

Soompi:

On December 30, CJ ENM’s CEO Heo Min Heoi held a press conference to make a formal apology regarding the manipulation controversy surrounding the “Produce 101” series.

He explained that CJ ENM will be compensating everyone harmed due to the incident. Regarding IZ*ONE and X1, he shared that they are working on plans for the groups to resume activities, and Mnet will give up all resulting profits towards a fund.

His full statement is as follows:

Hello. This is CJ ENM’s CEO Heo Min Heoi.

First of all, I bow my head in apology for causing much disappointment to everyone with the series of incidents related to Mnet. It is especially heartbreaking to think about the pain received by the many trainees who poured in all their passion just to achieve the dream of debuting. I am very apologetic.

I also feel apologetic beyond words to the fans and viewers who took valuable time to support the program through means such as text voting.

Without any excuses, this incident is our fault. I feel strong responsibility as the CEO. I once again apologize.

Thinking about the pain and disappointment that you have received, I know that no actions will be enough.. However, we plan on doing everything we can to at least correct mistakes now and heal the wounds of the victims.

First of all, regarding the trainees who received harm due to ranking manipulation of Mnet’s audition program including the “Produce 101” series, we will take complete responsibility and compensate them. In addition to definite financial compensation, we will take the necessary measures to support their future activities and provide practical damage relief through in-depth discussion with relevant individuals.

All profits that have been received by Mnet through manipulated programs, along with the profits that will be received in the future, will be given up. We expect that a fund of about 30 billion won (approximately $25.9 million) can be developed as a result. This fund will be operated by an external independent organization and will be used for the active development of the music industry and continuous growth of K-pop.

Regarding the specific plans of the fund operation, they will be announced once the details are finalized.

Necessary actions to strengthen the fairness and transparency of broadcasts will also be taken quickly.

A Viewer Committee, including individuals such as external content experts, will be installed, and the production processes of programs will be transparent. In addition, the internal broadcasting code of ethics will be renewed, and training on this will be intensified.

Through this, we will thoroughly check if there are wrong actions taking place like normal practices or basic morals being given up in exchange for viewership ratings, and we will correct them.

Regarding the matters that are currently under investigation, we promise to diligently cooperate with the investigative agencies until not even a single suspicion remains. Depending on the result, we will take strict internal measures as necessary.

We are fully responsible for this incident. We will also provide all possible support for the IZ*ONE and X1 members to resume activities. Considering the emotional pain and pressure that the members are experiencing along with the opinions of many fans who support the resumption of their activities, we will works to continuously discuss plans for IZ*ONE and X1 to be able to resume activities as soon as possible. As mentioned previously, Mnet will give up all profits gained through the future activities of the two groups.

Furthermore, we will quickly carry out specific compensation for damages for everyone who has been harmed due to this incident. This incident is our fault and not the fault of the artists who debuted or of the trainees. We earnestly request that everyone will help protect them together so there will be no more victims. We once again sincerely apologize to the many people who cherish and love Mnet.

CJ ENM’s head of communication Shin Yoon Yong also took time to answer questions afterwards. He said that the original rankings will not be revealed, explaining, “It is most important that harm is not given to trainees who have no fault in this incident. Revealing their rankings regardless of their opinions would not help compensate the damages of the victims. Even if they are discovered in the investigation process, revealing them could cause further harm, so we do not plan on revealing them.”

He continued, “Once the victims are confirmed, we will immediately begin the process of compensating for damages,” and added, “It may become known later on who the victims are and who received benefits, but we internally decided to not reveal this information because it could cause further harm. We will discuss with agencies to arrange measures for supporting the future activities of artists who debuted and of those who were eliminated.”

Shin Yoon Yong also said that they do not have the raw data as only the individual PDs (producing directors) have the information.

When asked what the plan is if eliminated trainees wish to join IZ*ONE or X1, he responded, “This is not a matter for us to decide but what should be agreed upon with the agencies. Judgments will be made through discussions with the members and agencies.”

On IZ*ONE, he commented, “IZ*ONE promoted for over one year. They temporarily halted activities, but they are still contracted. There are also lots of requests from fans. The plan is for them to quickly resume activities.”

Regarding X1, he added, “We are still under discussion with the members and agencies. The resulting plan has not been confirmed yet. We are working on an agreement with adequate consideration of the opinions of the members and agencies. We will share an announcement once it is confirmed.”

He continued, “There are members who debuted in accordance with the actual votes. As their activities were halted, it seems that they have felt strong emotional pain and pressure. Their fans have also shown continuous support for their activities. We have based our judgments based on these factors. We are still discussing with their agencies, but I am aware that somewhat of an agreement has been reached on continuing with the same members. It has not been confirmed though.”

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Title taken from Oh_mes2 [1] [2]

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Edited January 10, 2020 by Chuan
Updated; changed completely to Soompi + Video; slightly changed title

[timpa]

How about reimbursement for fans who spent money to vote via text which i think cost around $1 per vote?

[tide]

we did it kids, tke wait is finally over 

[Lizzo]

is that it???

[eli]

ACTUALLY STARTED CRYING IM SO FUCKING HAPPY MY BABIES THEY COMING BACK 

[GiganticMint121]

[starsocks]

It's going to be super hard for them to promote from here on out, both mentally and in terms of getting activities. It's so unfair to the kids who legitimately got in, and also people who unknowingly had their place bought by higher ups who went over their heads. Stupid that the members will be the ones getting all the hate.

[Vayafish]

Finally AYAYAYA and Daydream SOTY

11 minutes ago, timpa said:

How about reimbursement for fans who spent money to vote via text which i think cost around $1 per vote?

Apparently  they will make a list of compensation but we'll see how it works. It costs 100 won per text not $1

[satoori]

6 minutes ago, choiyujins said:

It's going to be super hard for them to promote from here on out, both mentally and in terms of getting activities. It's so unfair to the kids who legitimately got in, and also people who unknowingly had their place bought by higher ups who went over their heads. Stupid that the members will be the ones getting all the hate.

izone only have a year left. they can depend on their fandom the rest of the year. concerts and other fan events. they also have japan.

 

x1, they have 5 years? they too can depend on their fandom.  it might be hard for them to gain public recognition if different networks continue to boycott tho..

 

individual for each member of both groups i don't think this scandal will damage their image much. by time they're ready to debut in their own group it should be fine...idk

Edited December 30, 2019 by satoori

[JENKAI]

give minkyu 1 billion dollars compensation

[SLY]

IZ*ONE spent tons of hardwork in preparation for their comeback that was postponed days before the day of its release. I'm glad IZ*ONE is safe.

As for X1, I truly hope that this decision is for the best.

By the way, X1 is the rightful rookie of the year.

[YooJeong]

12 minutes ago, JENKAI said:

give Kaeun and Miyu 1 billion dollars compensation

 

Edited December 30, 2019 by YooJeong

[dubious]

Add Miyu to that list of people to compensate, because no way did she fail to make it in lol

Also wonder how long it'll take then for IZ*ONE to have their comeback? A postponed album shouldn't take that long to unpostpone per se outside of music show stuff (presuming that they aren't barred from any of them outside of Mnet's) ;-;

[irlpadam]

The real ROTY is back, I hope yall are worried.

Coming to snatch back all their awards that were given to charity

ROTY kings 

[YooJeong]

Part of compensation should include naming who was rigged out...that will give the trainees positive attention and help their careers. We don't need to know which X1 or IZ*ONE members were rigged in, but saying which trainees originally should've been in the group, could be very helpful and should be part compensation.

[Lugoose]

X1*ZONE WORLD DOMINATION IN STORES TOMORROW

 

[dubious]

Just now, YooJeong said:

Part of compensation should include naming who was rigged out...that will give the trainees positive attention and help their careers. We don't need to know which X1 or IZ*ONE members were rigged in, but saying which trainees originally should've been in the group, could be very helpful and should be part compensation.

That, or allow the relevant people to disclose if they were one of the ones who should have been in (re: don't make them sign an NDA to get anything from CJ). The latter might be better in the sense that if the person feels it's relevant enough to share they can take one last shot at CJ/Mnet before putting this shite behind them.

I think most people recognize who was rigged in already for the most part in both groups anyway, so it's not really worth bringing on anything extra by confirming who they are.

[Ksoo9]

Time for starship boys debutation.

[classiq]

It feels like more could be done, for the trainees that were rigged out. Like a subgroup type thing. JBJ & Rainz was a successful project as well as IBI (somewhat)

But can't criticize them for their current plans. Trainees getting their compensation & approx $30mil being donated to charities is a beautiful thing.

[sxssy]

bless thank god i cant wait for the bop that is fiesta

[Zaiku]

This will never be fair for the trainees that should have made it.

Why continue pushing a group built on a foundation of lies?

They could just send them back to their agencies and fans can support them in their respective groups. Some fans just proving they can't support the members outside of the produce group.

Edited December 30, 2019 by Zaiku

[dubious]

Just now, Zaiku said:

They could just send them back to their agencies and fans can support them in their respective groups.

There's only three people in each group who have other groups to go back to? And in the case of Sakura/Nako/Hitomi I would not blame people for not being as interested in their stuff in AKB48/HKT48 (and subsequently not supporting them much as a result) ;-;

Most of the people would be sent back to their companies as trainees, and with very few of them being likely to be added to an existing group or newly debuting in any capacity :x

[howaboutno]

BLOOM*IZ Album of the Year 2020

X1 back to snatch all the rookie awards they deserve

 

[Zaiku]

1 minute ago, dubious said:

There's only three people in each group who have other groups to go back to? And in the case of Sakura/Nako/Hitomi I would not blame people for not being as interested in their stuff in AKB48/HKT48 (and subsequently not supporting them much as a result) ;-;

Most of the people would be sent back to their companies as trainees, and with very few of them being likely to be added to an existing group or newly debuting in any capacity :x

Support them once they debut in their respective groups too?

[StepOnMeJas]

 I just know a few users here are mad

Stan