It seems that we finally have an idea about why the whole vote-rigging controversy surrounding Produce 101 series started and its infuriating netizens even more.

On December 7, various Korean news outlets began reporting details taken from the prosecution’s written indictment of Mnet producing director (PD) Ahn Joon Young and chief producer (CP) Kim Yong Bum.

According to the indictment obtained by various news outlets, it is said that PD Ahn and Kim felt pressured by Wanna One and I.O.I massive success and had been pressured about how the subsequent success of IZ*ONE and X1 should be replicated.

As previously reported, season three and four were reportedly completely fabricated while the producers only admitted to partially manipulating the rankings of season one and two.

Due to the huge success of the first two seasons, Ahn became recognized as a valuable employee by CJ ENM due to the success and money the first two seasons brought, he even received special incentives as a result.

According to the indictment, Ahn conspired to choose the final lineup of “Produce 48” regardless of the vote results because he saw trainees whom he didn’t feel like they’d fit into the concept of the group would likely make to the top ranks.

He had mentioned X1 long contracts (five years) and their status as a boy group as the reason for manipulating their rankings.

Despite the reasoning, many Korean news outlets reported that these excuses don’t align with the special treatment he received from the agencies since feeling pressure contradicts the fact that the prosecution had stated that Ahn received special treatment 47 times from five entertainment agency representatives between January 2018 to July 2019.

As you’d expect, netizens didn’t like the excuses Ahn made and continue to heavily criticize Mnet and CJ ENM for this huge controversy.

Ahn and Kim’s first official preparatory hearing will take place on December 20.

What do you think of the reason?

Source: (A)

My Personal Thoughts

I mean he had to defend himself…. so I understand why he’d say this and it honestly makes sense but as the report states, this will likely never fly with the judges because being stressed and receiving special treatment shouldn’t be in the same sentence.

He probably felt like a god after the success of Wanna One, especially that. When I looked at the numbers they made my jaws dropped to the floor. I understand they would be stressed but it doesn’t excuse basically scamming everybody into believing they had an effect when they actually didn’t.

The reason they do it is all about emotional manipulation of viewers when you feel like your opinion matters and you see these trainees struggle stories you can’t help but get invested, you grow attached to them and would naturally pay to see them suffer less. The reason the produce series worked so well was that the lineup was SUPPOSEDLY decided by us the viewers and its ultimate downfall was just that as well.

From an actual producer standpoint of view, the produce model would never create a well-rounded kpop group because those who are choosing these members likely don’t have a solid idea of what should go into each group, the general public doesn’t have the knowledge to correctly decide who should be in the lineup.

So it’s not entirely wrong to say that some wouldn’t fit into a concept but it still doesn’t make it right. YG, JYP and many other agencies have done survival shows but even they didn’t say the final judgment fell on the audience, which is smart on their side and expected since they’re agencies who create such groups.

I tried watching the first season and when I saw the editing and how everyone burst into tears every 5 minutes, I quit. I didn’t have an interest in begin manipulated like that by Mnet, I feel sorry for everyone who stayed for any season and spent time, money and energy into trying to make these boys and girls debut when their opinions never really mattered, only their wallets.