Jasmine

R U NEXT? had insane talent and high-quality performances, but fairness was its biggest flaw. Many contestants were clearly debut-ready, yet skill didn’t always protect them from elimination.

The screentime imbalance and favoritism were obvious early on—some trainees were constantly pushed, while others barely appeared until they were eliminated. This made several eliminations feel frustrating and undeserved.

Judges’ decisions were inconsistent, with harsh criticism for some and leniency for others, making it unclear what the show actually valued. While the concepts and stages were polished and trendy, not every contestant was given a fair chance to shine.

By the time ILLIT’s lineup was finalized, it felt more like the result of a pre-planned vision than a fair competition. The drama came more from frustration than excitement.