‘Produce 101 Season 2’ Stirs Controversy For Making Trainees Stand In Public To Test Popularity

After the latest episode of Produce 101 Season 2 aired on June 2, a new controversy surfaced regarding a certain method the show did to test the trainees' popularity. This 'Popularity Test' meant making particular trainees stand in public by themselves and see how many people will recognize them by name. If people are able to call them by their name, it means they are one the most popular contestants.

Prior to the concept challenge, the trainees were asked to stand outside in crowded places like subway stations and streets, where a lot of people pass by. If the trainees failed to be recognized by name, they then have to do a special 'PR' activity like singing, dancing or rapping in front of people. Naturally, many netizens spotted the trainees and even took photos. The 'Produce 101 Season 2' trainees did the 'popularity test' separately and wore matching casual clothes that the show provided them.

According to people who were able to spot the 'Produce 101' trainees, the boys did not have security or bodyguards with them, which was risky considering they were in very crowded spaces and potentially dangerous situations could arise. People who saw MMO's Yoon Ji Sung pointed out that his area was so overcrowded that he couldn't even do his PR activity and only ended up apologizing and asking the surrounding crowd to stop pushing and standing too close.

This prompted netizens to criticize Mnet once again for disregarding the trainees' safety and also for 'belittling lower-ranking trainees'. Netizens and fans of 'Produce 101' quickly posted angry comments including "How could they do this to boys who have to practice for their stages the next day," "Are the boys your toys or something?" "If you're bored, go work on some better editing" and "I feel so bad for them...why is this necessary." This 'popularity test' was only done by trainees who performed 'Show Time' and it's still unsure if the rest of the 'Produce 101' contestants will do the same mission.