Netizens React with Disgust as Starlight Boys’ Latest Challenge Hospitalizes Contestants

Concerns Arise Following Starlight Boys’ Latest Challenge

On Saturday, November 2, the highly anticipated second episode of the reality survival show, Starlight Boys, featuring Chinese and South Korean boy group contestants, was aired. However, the broadcast quickly drew criticism for its reportedly grueling challenges that raised serious questions about the contestants’ health and safety.

The Dance Challenge That Shocked Viewers

During this episode, contestants faced a demanding dance challenge aimed at evaluating their skills to select 56 out of 68 trainees for progression to the next round. The contestants performed together to the show’s signal song, repeatedly dancing with only a brief 30-second break between intense rounds. Many trainees ended up performing as many as 19 rounds, resulting in nearly an hour of continuous dancing.

This extreme endurance test quickly raised alarms among participants. One trainee, Sun Yinghao, reportedly stood up to voice concerns, stating, “We are human beings, not machines.”Following the episode, there were alarming reports from a notorious spoiler account claiming that multiple contestants, including Ling Qi and Hangyul of BAE173, required hospitalization due to their severe exhaustion from the challenge.

“The participants were misled by an unreasonable competition format, leading many to seek hospital treatment,”the social media post stated.

Fans Demand Accountability and Show Cancellation

The backlash on social media was swift, as fans not only expressed their worry for the contestants’ well-being but also directed their anger towards the show’s organizers and judges. Many viewers called for Starlight Boys to be canceled, citing the cruelty of the challenges described.

“I’m so disgusted with this show and its system,”expressed one frustrated fan.

“This is the most abusive survival show ever! They pushed these young boys to the brink of mental and physical collapse,”added another fan on X (formerly Twitter).

“Seeing a trainee needing oxygen during the challenge is shocking. This is unacceptable,”remarked yet another concerned viewer.

As the critiques continued to accumulate, more fans echoed these sentiments, labelling the entire evaluation process as inhumane:

“There’s nothing redeeming about Starlight Boys. This show is dangerous and must be canceled immediately. The treatment of these young contestants is beyond comprehension,”a concerned viewer lamented.

About Starlight Boys: The Show’s Framework and Objective

Starlight Boys, also recognized as Youth With You International, is a collaborative boy group survival series produced by iQIYI and SBS. It began with an exciting premise, bringing together 69 trainees from across the globe, with the intention of forming a nine-member boy group based on performance rankings.

Despite the show initially boasting a dynamic lineup and theme song, “Good Luck (Be My Luck),”concerns surrounding health and safety have overshadowed its launch. The judging panel includes well-known figures in the K-pop industry, such as Lee Seung Gi and Kwon Eun-bi, raising the stakes for the participating trainees.

Current Rankings Post-Episode Two

As of the latest episode, the rankings of the top nine contestants are:

Yoo Gwan-woo
Sun Yinghao
Shao Ziheng
Han Gyul
Pentor
Duan Xing Xing
Lee Jun-hyuk
Lee Da-eul
He Xi Long

While the show initially sparked excitement among fans about the next big boy group, the criticism surrounding the current challenges raises serious questions about the show’s methods, leading many to reconsider their enthusiasm.

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