Choi Mina Sue experienced an embarrassing moment on tvN’s Kill It: Style Creator Showdown after failing to secure a top ranking despite her daring exposure and confident stage strategy.

The first episode of Kill It: Style Creator Showdown aired on May 12, showcasing a fierce fashion survival competition in which 100 of the hottest creators in the fashion scene battled for the title of the next-generation style icon.

The episode opened dramatically by highlighting the 100 suitcases the contestants brought as their “weapons” for survival. The participants then appeared one by one on a stage resembling a fashion runway. Starting with model Jaein, the contestants continued to make their entrances until Choi Mina Sue appeared as the 100th and final participant carrying the keyword “No.1,” immediately drawing intense attention and sharp competitive stares from the others.

Soon after, the leaders of the three labels were introduced. The “Black Label” featured Jang Yoon Ju, Lee Jong Won, and TXT’s Yeonjun, while Cha Jung Won and Shin Hyun Ji led the “White Label,” and Ahn Ah Reum alongside Yang Gaeng represented the “Red Label.”

The first-round style war immediately began, with only 50 out of the 100 participants able to survive. Contestants had 60 minutes to complete their self-styling before rushing onto the stage in a first-come, first-served format. The mission, titled “Photogenic,” selected winners based on the number of photos taken by 40 photographers on-site combined with the six participants each label wanted to cast. Global photographers including Kove Lee, known as the husband of top model Sora Choi, as well as Despi Naka and Lee Se Hyung, also joined the competition panel.

Before the mission officially started, contestants were assigned styling rooms based on rankings from their pre-show self-promotion video evaluations. Contestants ranked from 100th to 50th were assigned to the fourth floor, farthest from the stage, while those ranked between 49th and 1st stayed on the third floor closer to the stage. The contestant ranked No.1 also received priority stage access, which ultimately went to Nayawashi.

Once the mission began, the competition quickly turned intense as every second counted. Just two minutes into the challenge, Yoyo rushed onto the stage and even turned putting on shoes into part of the performance. Yeonhee Yeo and Bae Yoon Ji followed shortly after, grabbing photographers’ attention early in the round with their quick decisions. First-generation creator Dasha also stole attention with her striking bright-red stocking fashion.

At one point, Lea, known as Huening Kai’s older sister, stepped onto the stage but failed to attract even a single photographer. She later confessed, “I don’t think I’ll ever get over that shock,” creating a heartbreaking moment.

Contestants continued using aggressive strategies to stand out. Movement director Jiwon captivated viewers with flashy spinning moves, while Nayawashi differentiated herself with restrained all-white styling. Choi Mina Sue, in particular, attempted a calculated “build-up strategy” by calmly walking onto the stage even while it remained relatively empty. She confidently showcased bold poses and photogenic charm, successfully attracting a flood of camera shutters from photographers.

However, the atmosphere changed instantly when Tiara Torelli appeared wearing a sparkling sequined dress. The photographers who had gathered around Choi Mina Sue quickly shifted their attention toward Tiara Torelli instead. Choi Mina Sue later admitted, “All the attention I had was moving over there. I didn’t want to stay any longer. My pride was hurt.”

Meanwhile, Dasha continued dominating the spotlight with her unmatched presence. Realizing photographers were gradually losing interest, she cleverly shouted, “Don’t take a photo of me,” while pretending to be a Hollywood actress dealing with paparazzi, successfully reigniting photographers’ excitement with her witty acting.

As the mission progressed into the second half, the gap between standout contestants and those fading into the background became increasingly obvious. Jaein poured water over her hair on stage to create an instant wet-hair look, completing a “goddess in the jungle” concept that sparked another wave of camera shutters. Tiara Torelli impressed with vibrant color styling, while Yoyo continued drawing attention with energetic charisma.

Watching the competition unfold, Shin Hyun Ji commented, “People who seemed noticeable on social media surprisingly don’t stand out here.” Jang Yoon Ju added a cold assessment, saying, “Only the people who truly stand out are visible.”

After the first half of Round 1 ended, the interim evaluation results were revealed. The three labels first announced the contestants they wanted to cast, and many of the selections overlapped. Dasha, Jaein, and Tiara Torelli dominated by being chosen by all three labels.

For the photographers’ scores, Yoyo ranked first, followed by Yeonhee Yeo in second place and Dasha in third. Choi Mina Sue admitted she felt disappointed with the results but shared that she tried to regain control of her mindset as she prepared for the second half of the competition.

Sources: Naver