Former “Produce 101 Season 2” trainee Jo Kyu-min is once again at the center of public scrutiny after his appearance on tvN’s variety show It’s Okay to Be a Martian reignited long-standing allegations that he impersonated BIGBANG’s G-Dragon.
The renewed controversy stems from claims that Jo had performed under the stage name Z-DRAGON in China, allegedly accepting fan gifts and signing autographs using G-Dragon’s likeness.
From Rising Trainee to Scandal
Jo Kyu-min first gained public attention as a trainee on Mnet’s Produce 101 (Season 2) in 2017, where his resemblance to G-Dragon became a major talking point. However, what initially drew curiosity soon spiraled into controversy.
Reports surfaced that Jo Kyu-min had built a career in China impersonating G-Dragon, complete with concerts, fan meetings, and online promotions under the name Z-DRAGON.
During the show, Jo Kyu-min addressed the accusations, saying: “While the show was airing, a scandal broke out claiming I impersonated G-Dragon. Because of that, I was blacklisted. Before the program even started, fans had already seen articles about me.”
He also claimed that the incident directly led to his elimination from Produce 101, stating: “I lost votes because of the G-Dragon issue and was eventually eliminated.”
However, insiders and viewers at the time argued that his departure was more likely due to low evaluation scores and insufficient stage preparation rather than public backlash.
A Career Shadowed by Resemblance
For years, Jo Kyu-min’s resemblance to G-Dragon has followed him both on and off screen. Despite expressing frustration over the comparisons, his career has often centered on this very likeness.
In a 2024 interview, Jo Kyu-min remarked: “One of the things I hate hearing the most is that I look like G-Dragon. I’ve heard it so many times that it’s no longer a compliment.”
He once participated in a hidden-camera segment in Hongdae, where he dressed like G-Dragon to gauge public reaction.
“I was shocked to see how many people believed I was him. The street came to a halt,” he said, describing how overwhelming the experience was.
Despite such statements, Jo Kyu-min continued to appear on programs highlighting his resemblance to the BIGBANG leader, including:
- SBS Hallyu Olympics (2011)
- MBC Star Look-Alike Contest (2014)
- SBS Star King (2015)
- Channel A You Resemble the Stars (2016)
- tvN It’s Okay to Be a Martian (2025)
He also reportedly attended fan events in China during his “Z-DRAGON” era.
Backlash Over His Return
After previously vowing to stop imitating G-Dragon, Jo Kyu-min’s recent TV reappearance has angered many fans who accuse him of returning to imitation-based performances — this time under a new alias, “Peter.”
During the broadcast, Jo Kyu-min defended himself, saying: “Everything that happened was because of the agency. I had no control. I was unfairly blamed.”
However, his explanation has done little to quell criticism. Netizens have labeled his comments “contradictory,” claiming he continues to benefit from the G-Dragon image while publicly denying any wrongdoing.
Online reactions remain divided — some viewers sympathize with Jo Kyu-min’s claim of being exploited by management, while others see his repeated actions as a calculated attempt to capitalize on G-Dragon’s fame.
- Forget about not looking alike — why is he pretending to be G-Dragon and accepting fan gifts that even GD himself doesn’t take?
- He didn’t just do random events, he actually went on a China tour as “Z-Dragon.”
- The way he’s acting, I’m worried he might start believing he’s the real G-Dragon and end up harming GD. After 15 years, this really seems like a mental illness… reminds me of the Beatles cases. Something needs to be done.
- I still remember that guerrilla date in Hongdae where he pretended to be GD lol. People below were all waving thinking he was actually GD — if that’s not fraud, then what is?
- This isn’t even on the level of Na Hoon-a vs. Noh Hoon-a. The only similarity is that they’re both male.
Public Debate: Inspiration or Imitation?
Media commentators have noted that the Jo Kyu-min case exposes a deeper issue in Korean pop culture: the blurred line between homage and impersonation.
While resemblance can open doors in an industry driven by image, it can just as easily tarnish a reputation when authenticity comes into question.
As the debate continues, Jo Kyu-min’s latest appearance has once again revived a question that has followed him for nearly a decade — when does looking like an idol become pretending to be one?
Sources: Pann
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