On the evening of August 26, Time Fengjun Entertainment, the Chinese agency behind the popular boy group TFBoys, officially launched the third-generation lineup of the TF Clan. This model focuses on selecting, training, and debuting teenage groups. The first generation, TFBoys, included the famous “Golden Boys” Wang Junkai, Wang Yuan, and Yi Yangqianxi, who gained fame across Asia.
The teenage group T.O.P (Top Of Planet) has been announced as the third generation of the TF Clan, consisting of six members: Xia Hang, Su Xinhao, Zhang Ji, Zhang Zheyu, Zhu Zhihan, and Yu Yuhan.
The debut event of T.O.P drew considerable attention from fans of Chinese entertainment, with the topic “TF Gen 3 Debut” quickly becoming the number one hot search on social media in China. Notably, T.O.P became a top trending topic due to their pledge not to date or have private relationships with fans.
The group’s vow included: “We promise not to disappoint our original dreams, not to betray the company’s wholehearted support, and the expectations and support of our fans. We are committed to staying with the group throughout its development. Team members are not just partners but also important family members. We pledge to adhere to strict idol rules with both ourselves and our fans, including no dating and no private relationships with close fans.”
As a “training” group (where fans support the trainees from a young age), dating is considered a serious taboo. Many idols have seen their careers decline after dating rumors emerged. Thus, T.O.P’s pledge is seen as a strategic move to win over fans.
However, for neutral fans, the no-dating vow is controversial due to its strictness, depriving celebrities of personal privacy. The agency has been criticized for making young idols make such promises.
In addition, Time Entertainment faced backlash for “deceiving debut slots” as trainees were reportedly promised 8 debut spots but ultimately only 6 were given. One trainee, Mu Zhicheng, expressed frustration during the live show when the final lineup was announced. The trainee was cut off by the program, but netizens managed to interpret his gestures and lip movements as questioning why only 6 members were chosen.
Mu Zhicheng, who had trained for 9 years at Time Fengjun Entertainment, was reportedly mistreated and deceived about his debut slot. Fans of the trainees who did not debut were outraged, with some fans fainting from crying and needing emergency medical attention. This incident has sparked a significant controversy on Chinese forums.
