🎯 Kim Guk-heon Takes a Stand
Singer and actor Kim Guk-heon publicly criticized Mnet's survival show Boys Planet 2 (aka BoPl2), questioning the editing choices and eliminations of certain contestants. His statement came in response to what fans are calling blatant manipulation and unfair treatment of trainee performances.
🗯️ "Don't Use Desperation"
On July 27, Kim posted on social media, sharing a viral clip titled: "This kind of talent was a no-star? A legendary performance got cut entirely." The video features contestants Lee Hyeop and Kim Dong-yoon (from DRIPPIN) performing INFINITE's "Be Mine." Despite delivering a powerful and vocally solid stage, the performance was completely edited out of the official broadcast.
Kim slammed the production team:
"Don't exploit the desperation of these contestants. You have no idea how hard they practice every day."
⚠️ Fan Favorite Eliminated, Netizens React
Lee Hyeop, known for his vocal skills as DRIPPIN's main vocalist, was eliminated as a 'No-Star' during the July 24 episode. Viewers were stunned—especially since there were no major mistakes shown and Hyeop had consistently proven his talent.
One judge even commented, "His dancing is embarrassingly bad," justifying the "star hold" verdict. Fans found this shocking given the lack of critical errors in Hyeop's broadcasted footage and performance videos.
📉 Manipulated Edits? Blind Votes Tell a Different Story
Despite being cut from the broadcast, Lee Hyeop ranked 7th in blind votes and 11th in live rankings. This contradiction between public support and his dismissal has led to increasing calls for vote transparency and raw footage releases.
📺 History Repeats Itself
Kim Guk-heon's frustration runs deep. He was personally affected by the infamous Produce X 101 vote-rigging scandal, where Mnet producers were found to have predetermined debut members, nullifying public votes entirely. His words now carry even greater weight.
🧾 Conclusion
With controversy mounting around Boys Planet 2's credibility, fans are demanding clearer metrics, fairer editing, and respect for trainees' hard work. For many, this isn't just about screen time — it's about integrity and trust in the idol survival show system.
