The show has already been criticized for multiple things.
Koreaboo
Starlight Boysan ongoing South Korean and Chinese boy group survival show, recently premiered via iQIYI AND SBS on October 26, 2024. Sixty-nine male competitors around the world are currently competing for a place in the final top 9.
While Lee Sung Kyoung is the MC, Lee Seung Gi, BIGBANG’s Daesung, Choi Youngjoon, Hanhae, Kwon Eun Bi, Pentagon’s Hui, THE BOYZ’s Eric, AND Yoon from STAYC they are judges (called “Drivers”).
The show has already sparked concern for several reasons, including judges’ treatment of trainees, as well as accusations of racism and xenophobia.
The new survival show “Starlight Boys” is under fire for alleged racism and xenophobia
Starlight Boys will air its final episode on December 28 and has already eliminated about half of the contestants. The top nine currently includes several fan favorites, including BAE173‘S Lee Hangyul and other outstanding interns.
However, it seems that not all top trainees want to continue with the show and possibly debut.
Recently, several trainees have shared posts on their social media accounts with content that some fans believe is related to the survival show. Sun Yinghaowho spoke during the show’s first “brutal challenge,” shared a letter hinting at discontent with how the show is progressing.
“Some words written in the early morning of December 8th. Since I have a great desire to perform on stage, I decided to take up the challenge once again regardless of what happened in the past. My original aspiration to perform on stage has never changed and will never change. The anticipation and greed that I wasn’t afraid to show at the beginning were all sincere. I believed that if you were willing to move forward, you would be able to overcome any difficulty and find the right path. However, because I am continually influenced by what is happening now and the uncertainty of the future, I think he began to hesitate and struggle during this time. Finally today everything became clear to me. I think one thing I’m certain of right now is that I can’t go back to that difficult time I had in the past when I couldn’t get feedback and acceptance. Maybe I’m incapable of satisfying many people right now – and I’m not satisfied either. Many people who have sincerely supported me may be perplexed by this decision. However, please believe that I no longer want to anticipate that opportunity and that distant and uncertain phase, over which I have no control. I want to achieve success with my true, original self. I ask those who are willing to believe me to believe that I will create my own opportunities and my own stage. The snow has already melted this winter. The sky is not clear yet, but sooner or later it will become clear. If you are not respected by others, then you better make more people sincerely respect you. If others don’t understand you, focus on yourself and let the results speak for themselves. I have nothing but stubbornness. “
—Sun Ying Hao
Another competition, Zhang Jijunshared a message that some interpreted as a suggestion to fans to stop voting for him.
Thank you! We have already achieved a lot, we no longer need to prove it. Please stop doing things for me from now on. It goes without saying that our love and support for each other is mutual. I don’t want to not be able to move forward: please support me. We will meet at home. I can’t wait.
— Zhang Ji Jun
Other contestants also reportedly shared their discontent with the show, resulting in their voting unions and fan pages ceasing voting activities. These actions have been linked to ongoing issues and rumors about the treatment of interns on the show.
Sun Yinghao’s HYH/FC decided to stop voting after Sun Yinghao’s letter was published by its studio this morning.
This means that they give up their debut in Starlight Boys and also the possibility of participating in the final 🥺 pic.twitter.com/o9CAtqrvTo
— STARLIGHT BOYS NEWS ✨ (@starlightboys__) December 8, 2024
the mistreatment in this show is really extreme, I can’t explain it, since the kids talk about it openly, I will support them too
“Sometimes it’s not just perseverance that requires courage.” I hope you understand. https://t.co/GVIe4bXRfe
— Juju |. rest (@gyuiyuan) December 10, 2024
https://t.co/Zwmsq4PsZ9 pic.twitter.com/xsUrraRl7v
— Diaa (@dia_onrough) December 10, 2024
While it’s not entirely clear whether these trainees are asking fans to no longer vote for them, it wouldn’t be the first time something like this has happened on a survival show.
Trapped in an Idol Survival Show: Where is Lelush now?
