A Franchise Failing to Connect and Losing Direction
Many trainees ate this season. I will say watch the show for them. They always bring it. The chosen songs to cover were a mixed bag. As for the original songs the trainees worked on this year, they were not my cup of tea. It could be for you though.
Onto the review.
The show in a nutshell: A Franchise Failing to Connect and Losing Direction.
This is not only BP vs B2P. This is a franchise series that I connect to the Produce series. IMO, Mnet is trying to run from its scandalous past using little to no effort, other than slapping on a new name on whatever year's version.
Mnet's audience is growing wiser. The jaded older audience, the keepers of the franchise's checkered history, pass this knowledge to the new viewers. Multiplying in exponential proportions, its wary and dissatisfied audience. BP1 MDL rate is 8.3 as I write this. B2P rate is 7.4.
History is known to repeat itself, so it is no surprise the viewers are CONSTANTLY vigilant for:
1) signs of manipulation
2) signs of trainee mistreatment
3) evil editing
4) Mnet's trainee favoritism
Time to go back to the drawing board and strive to make a GOOD SHOW.
1) Throwing money is not going to make the problem go away.
2) Shading trainees. Cheap shot to take, Mnet.
3) Evil editing mentors. So unprofessional.
4) Having about 200 trainees/talent is overcompensating.
5) Having the same format for the nth year? Really?
6) Time to get with the times, it's 2025.
Now getting with the times is more than the fancy sets, digital doodads, lighting, and pyro. K-pop is a socio-cultural movement so Mnet has that sphere to play inside too. Just consider these:
1) Are there translators around to help best convey important thoughts among participants? From what I can see, when the shoot has only trainees, there is no one facilitating the communication process. Why should that fall on trainee shoulders when they hardly have time to practice or even rest?
2) No translators? How about language teachers? Especially for rappers.
3) The underage trainees are lucky that some seniors take the time to look out for them. But producers and creators of the show have a responsibility to provide qualified professionals (plural) to oversee their mental health. Kids cannot take care of kids.
4) Foreign trainees need support. It is likely they do not have the local fanbase and are unknown in the SK Korean Industry.
A little about business.
1) No subtitles equals Little to no interaction.
2) Mnet's target audience versus voting audience versus buying audience. 50/50 split on voting weight? Come on.
3) Offering a 1 or even 2-year contract was ridiculous. Looking at 5 years this time around, until the fine print, I still am skeptical. I am inclined to say Mnet's part is debuting them and couldn't care less what happens after the final live show. I believe this is why they resort to evil editing. Engagement, clicks, comments, and views. Can they get more? Yes but they don't want their thumbs in the pie. IMO.
Onto the review.
The show in a nutshell: A Franchise Failing to Connect and Losing Direction.
This is not only BP vs B2P. This is a franchise series that I connect to the Produce series. IMO, Mnet is trying to run from its scandalous past using little to no effort, other than slapping on a new name on whatever year's version.
Mnet's audience is growing wiser. The jaded older audience, the keepers of the franchise's checkered history, pass this knowledge to the new viewers. Multiplying in exponential proportions, its wary and dissatisfied audience. BP1 MDL rate is 8.3 as I write this. B2P rate is 7.4.
History is known to repeat itself, so it is no surprise the viewers are CONSTANTLY vigilant for:
1) signs of manipulation
2) signs of trainee mistreatment
3) evil editing
4) Mnet's trainee favoritism
Time to go back to the drawing board and strive to make a GOOD SHOW.
1) Throwing money is not going to make the problem go away.
2) Shading trainees. Cheap shot to take, Mnet.
3) Evil editing mentors. So unprofessional.
4) Having about 200 trainees/talent is overcompensating.
5) Having the same format for the nth year? Really?
6) Time to get with the times, it's 2025.
Now getting with the times is more than the fancy sets, digital doodads, lighting, and pyro. K-pop is a socio-cultural movement so Mnet has that sphere to play inside too. Just consider these:
1) Are there translators around to help best convey important thoughts among participants? From what I can see, when the shoot has only trainees, there is no one facilitating the communication process. Why should that fall on trainee shoulders when they hardly have time to practice or even rest?
2) No translators? How about language teachers? Especially for rappers.
3) The underage trainees are lucky that some seniors take the time to look out for them. But producers and creators of the show have a responsibility to provide qualified professionals (plural) to oversee their mental health. Kids cannot take care of kids.
4) Foreign trainees need support. It is likely they do not have the local fanbase and are unknown in the SK Korean Industry.
A little about business.
1) No subtitles equals Little to no interaction.
2) Mnet's target audience versus voting audience versus buying audience. 50/50 split on voting weight? Come on.
3) Offering a 1 or even 2-year contract was ridiculous. Looking at 5 years this time around, until the fine print, I still am skeptical. I am inclined to say Mnet's part is debuting them and couldn't care less what happens after the final live show. I believe this is why they resort to evil editing. Engagement, clicks, comments, and views. Can they get more? Yes but they don't want their thumbs in the pie. IMO.
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