The debate that surrounds Kim Chae-Won and its “produce 48” rankings has aroused new disputes on Korean online communities. Although he never ranks in the best levels during the show, Kim Chae-Won has gained enormous popularity as a member of IZ*One, leading some to say that he was second only to Jang won Young in supporting fans.
However, this statement designed a repercussions. “If you intend to say that it was so popular, wouldn’t it have to place at least once during the show?“
Critics claim that Chaewon’s ascent has not been gained organically through public support, underlining his absence in the best rankings during the program. The detractors accuse his fans, in particular fans of older males of being excessively defensive and delusional for his status.
A Netizen said, “These same people condemned Jung Yura and Cho Min for corruption, but ignore similar manipulation in the survival shows of the idol. It is the same as university admissions or work frauds in the real world.“
Some argued that, unlike other members such as Jang Won Young and An Yujin, who were clearly popular from the beginning, Chaewon’s path seemed artificially supported. Accusations of being a “Parachute word“Or benefiting from invisible support, although lacking solid evidence.
However, others tried to defuse the situation, observing: “Iz*one was a product of both talented and entertainment policy. It is manipulated or not, all members had their part of fandom”.
What remains clear is that Chaewon’s journey from a loser to a favorite from fans continues to polarize K-Pop fans, especially while putting forward in his post-IZ career with Sserafim. His supporters argue that his talent and charm have talked stronger than the initial rankings, while the skeptics continue to request transparency on what happened behind the scenes of “produce 48”.
