A group of Chinese trainees from the popular idol survival show Boys II Planet have come under fire after a controversial photo began circulating online. The photobooth image shows several of the contestants— Chen Kai Wen, Li Zi Hao, Sang Lin, Han Rui Ze, and others—posing with their middle fingers raised, a gesture widely viewed as offensive.
The photo quickly made its way to Korean online communities, prompting heated discussion. Many netizens expressed disappointment, questioning the judgment of the young contestants, especially considering the highly public and competitive nature of the show.
- “I know three of them, but the rest are unfamiliar to me.”
- “I don’t even know who they are.”
- “The students don’t look stylish.”
- “Are they all eliminated trainees? I’m seeing them for the first time.”
- “Why would they do that?”
- “Some faces look like the ones I saw in the first episode.”
However, some users offered alternate interpretations or humor-laced commentary. One remarked that the gesture might be a form of political expression, saying, “A message to Xi Jinping and the Communist Party. If that’s the case, big thumbs up.”
Notably, Chen Kai Wen appears to be the only trainee in the group who did not participate in the gesture, which has drawn him praise from some online commenters.
Despite mixed reactions, the controversy highlights the growing scrutiny that idol trainees face from the public and the importance of image management—even before debut. As of now, neither the show’s producers nor the trainees’ agencies have issued official statements regarding the incident.
Sources: Instiz
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