JYP criticized for casting process for new girl group

Park Jin-young

By Kim Jae-heun

JYP Entertainment's reality girl band survival show "SIXTEEN," which premiered May 5 on music channel Mnet, ended on Tuesday night amid a dispute over the casting process.

SIXTEEN followed the experiences of 16 candidates throughout a 10-episode series for two months in which they competed against each other to secure spots for JYP's newly debuting group "Twice," modeled after "Wonder Girls," and "Miss A."

People were concerned that JYP's show could end up similar to many mundane survival shows that Mnet has been hosting like that of YG Entertainment's WIN in 2013.

JYP Entertainment's founder and music producer Park Jin-young (JYP) promised that the show would not degenerate into an ordinary star auditioning show and he would adopt a fair system to select JYP-style members with charisma and personality.

However, eight out of 10 episodes in the show shot girls singing and dancing and whether girls are competing alone or in groups or even one-on-one were only differences.

JYP's evaluation standards to eliminate one in each mission from 16 candidates in the first was unconvincing. On the final stage, Thai trainee, Natty was told she failed because of her unstable vocal and dancing skill. Minyoung, on the other hand, was told she had a very strong voice but showed no star quality and dropped out in the final round. Somi, who JYP said had the best star quality, was just not prepared yet.

Then, Japanese member Momo, who failed in mission 4, was called back to join the fixed final nine by JYP. It was unfair for four members who survived until the final round but failed at the last minute to victory. JYP revealed that Momo made to the team because she showed the best effort during the series.

JYP said Tzuyu, a Taiwanese candidate, also is not prepared to debut but she managed to embark on the last minute for her fans voting her as the most favorite member online.

JYP Entertainment asked for understanding on the next day to the press in an email that they adopted unclear standards in the casting process and brutal competition in the show.

JYP asked the cast members to call out the names of eliminated colleague one by one on the stage, where some hundreds of fans visited to cheer for them.

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