• Source:JND
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The popular Kpop survival show Boys II Planet is under scrutiny after past social media posts made by two of its contestants resurfaced online. One of the contestants, identified as Peng Jinyu, is now facing intense backlash for allegedly making hateful remarks towards well-known Kpop idols such as BTS, aespa, and TWICE. These posts, reportedly made several years ago, have now reignited discussions about the importance of accountability, especially for public figures or those aiming to enter the entertainment industry. 

The controversy stems from several posts allegedly made by Peng Jinyu on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. In one, he reportedly made derogatory remarks about BTS’ Jungkook, calling him a “wild boar” and accusing him of being stingy among other insults. In another, he allegedly called aespa members “dogs” and said they “should die in hell.” A separate poll reportedly accused TWICE of being pro–Taiwan independence. Meanwhile, one fan tweeted, “a boy’s planet 2 participant (jinyu) called æspa dogs & wished d3ath on them …” Another asked whether fans should “excuse” such remarks just because he was young. Other netizens defended his freedom of speech, but many condemned the hateful tone.

On the other hand, this isn’t an isolated incident. Another viral episode involved aespa’s Winter, whose Instagram was flooded with hateful comments following dating rumours involving Jungkook. Fans rallied in support, urging more positivity on her posts. Fan-driven campaigns emphasised the need to stop baseless rumours and avoid harassment. Comparisons have been drawn with other contest programmes. One comment on X demanded, “We urge you to publicly condemn any contestant on your programmes who engages in malicious behaviour. No one who has propagated hate should be given the...” This highlights calls for stricter guideline enforcement on participant conduct.

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As the show continues to air, viewers are watching closely to see how the producers handle the controversy. Many believe that how the situation is addressed will affect the credibility of the show, the trust of its audience, and the reputation of the contestants. With fandoms being highly protective of their idols, especially in the Kpop world, such incidents raise bigger questions about online behaviour, past actions, and whether individuals should be held responsible for their earlier words.