On July 15, Mnet’s World Street Woman Fighter aired episode 8, where BUMSUP lost a closely contested elimination battle against the American crew MOTIV. Despite a strong showing by dancer Rihey in the final 1-on-1 round, the judges ultimately awarded the decisive 4:1 victory to MOTIV’s leader, Marlee.
Crew leader Honey J, visibly emotional, shared in tears, “We held on tightly because we wanted to be there at the end of the show we began together. I didn’t expect to cry this much. I’m grateful to have met such strong teammates.”
Online reactions were deeply divided. Many viewers were shocked that the only Korean crew in a Korean-produced show failed to make the finale, with some saying: “I thought home advantage guaranteed them a spot” and “Rihey did amazing. BUMSUP deserved better.”
However, others claimed BUMSUP’s exit was foreseeable: “Their elimination prevents accusations of favoritism” and “Honestly, aside from the Mega Crew mission, they didn’t show much.”
Throughout the season, BUMSUP was at the center of favoritism controversies. Critics noted how BUMSUP’s storyline was emphasized from the start, and during the Mega Crew mission, they reportedly received production support from internal Mnet staff—something not afforded to foreign crews who independently created their stages.
The discovery that production figures like Hwang Ju-min and Lee Si-won were involved in BUMSUP’s video fueled claims that the crew was unofficially favored. Additionally, the Mnet-affiliated platform TVING drew criticism for selectively promoting BUMSUP’s performances.
Despite the controversy, BUMSUP’s presence in WSWF was undeniable. Their Mega Crew video reached over 15 million views, the most in franchise history. In a format where popularity metrics such as likes and views significantly influence outcomes, BUMSUP’s massive digital footprint made them a powerhouse.
With AG SQUAD (Australia), OSAKA Ojo Gang (Japan), and MOTIV (USA) advancing to the finals, the absence of a Korean crew has left some viewers wondering if the show risks losing domestic appeal.