Mnet Cruelly Mocks “Ugly” Idol During Broadcast, Sparking Viral Outrage
Boys II Planet is in full swing, with the first round of eliminations already taking place.
Fourth-Gen Idol Leader’s Elimination From “Boys II Planet” Sparks Major Shock
Currently, 48 trainees remain in the competition, which continues to attract netizens’ interest as they support their faves. These trainees include several who have already debuted in other groups, including members of the JYP Entertainment group Boy Story.
Before the show began, Boy Story‘s Zihao, the group’s lead vocalist and dancer, went viral as netizens harshly discussed his visuals.
“Boys II Planet ” Trainee Faces Harsh Criticism For His Visuals, Compared To An Active Idol
Though he dealt with this, Zihao ranked 31st, and has been defended by fans as he shows off his talents and skills.
During the recent episode, however, a segment including Zihao and another contestant featured them discovering standees of the remaining trainees. Zihao was placed in the center, with the video’s title card showing his standee with the caption “The center visual! But in the next life…with a better choice…”
The caption has been interpreted to mean that Zihao would be the center visual in another life where he looks different and with the placement of the standee serving as another point of mockery. With this assumption in mind, many viral tweets criticizing Mnet have circulated, slamming the company for mocking the idol.
엠넷 왤케 리즈하오한테 무례함
어린애가 걍 다 허허웃으면서넘기니까
ㅈㅉ막해도괜찮다고생각하는거임?너네어른아니에요? pic.twitter.com/kaHwRxXNT5— 꾹찔이♥︎ (@illIXlliXl) August 15, 2025
리즈하오 04년생임 대학 다녔으면 아직 졸업도 못했을 나인데 제작진이 보호는커녕 끝도 없이 조롱함
억빠해달란게 아니라 외모로 사람 조롱하는게 무례하다는걸 좀 깨달으라고 https://t.co/2oDHOwWHxI— 요즘잘자쿨냥이 (@goodnightriku) August 15, 2025
아니 공식 낄끼빠빠 ㅈㄴ 못해 트위터 미친애들 많아서 지들끼리 조롱하면서 낄낄댄걸 공식이 인식한게 최종 짜치네 https://t.co/Jf0IoLJ7wG
— 캐액설탕 (@_happy_sugar_) August 15, 2025
- Why is Mnet being so disrespectful to Li Zihao?
Just because the kid laughs it off, do they think it’s okay to act like total jerks? You’re not adults, are you? - Li Zihao was born in 2004. If he went to college, he probably hasn’t even graduated yet, and instead of protecting him, the production team endlessly mocks him.
It’s not about wanting him to get fan support—it’s about realizing that mocking someone’s appearance is rude. - And seriously, the official account completely fails at minding what it posts. There are plenty of crazy people on Twitter, and while they were making fun of him among themselves, the official account somehow noticed it and amplified it—so pathetic.
