Following a string of controversies, contestants Kim Geon Woo and Kang Woo Jin lost significant screen time on the second episode of Mnet's 'Boys II Planet', which aired on July 24 KST.
Previously, Kim Geon Woo and Kang Woo Jin faced accusations of lying about their "individual trainee" classifications. Although they claimed that they were not affiliated with any entertainment agency, it was later revealed that Kim Geon Woo and Kang Woo Jin were in fact trainees at Wake One Entertainment, a label run by CJ ENM.
On July 22 KST, Wake One Entertainment admitted, "It's true that Kim Geon Woo and Kang Woo Jin are Wake One Entertainment trainees." Regarding Kim Geon Woo, the agency stated, "Kim Geon Woo originally auditioned for the program without a company, then signed with Wake One not long afterward. As a result, it was decided that he would participate on the program as an individual trainee rather than with the other Wake One trainees."
Regarding Kang Woo Jin, the agency explained, "Kang Woo Jin was a trainee being nurtured as a solo singer/song-writer. His musical capacity greatly differed from the other Wake One trainees, so it was decided that he would participate as an individual trainee. We sincerely apologize for delivering confusion."
Soon after Wake One Entertainment's statement, Kim Geon Woo and Kang Woo Jin received noticeably reduced screen time on the second episode of Mnet's 'Boys II Planet'. In Kim Geon Woo's case, the contestant received no spotlight despite winning the coveted "center" spot for the program's signal song "HOLA SOLAR".
Meanwhile, Kim Geon Woo previously became wrapped up in allegations of trainee bullying shortly before the premiere of 'Boys II Planet'. An anonymous netizen claiming to be a former idol trainee accused the contestant of controlling other trainees at their former agency. When the issue escalated, Kim Geon Woo issued an apology through a handwritten letter, partially admitting to the accusations while denying other aspects as "exaggerated".
Additionally, Kang Woo Jin also came under fire some time after the premiere of 'Boys II Planet' for allegedly fabricating a "sob story" during his audition. A netizen claiming to be his former classmate claimed that Kang Woo Jin did not "busk on the empty streets of Boryeong in the countryside before making his way to the big city to fulfill his dreams, like he claimed", and instead "grew up in Goyang-si, the Seoul Metropolitan Area, all throughout elementary, middle, and high school".
Meanwhile, according to the latest rankings revealed on this week's broadcast of 'Boys II Planet', Kang Woo Jin had risen up to 5th place following last week's episode, while Kim Geon Woo had fallen to 9th place. Onlookers suspected that the two trainees would soon climb down from the top 9 completely as repercussions for their string of controversies.
SEE ALSO: 'Boys II Planet' episode 2 trailer sparks outrage over alleged xenophobic remark
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