New Controversial K-Pop Survival Show Addresses Criticism
Makestar and PI Corporation‘s new girl group survival show, Time Turner, received backlash as soon as it premiered.
Time Turner plans to search for a new generation of global entertainers. The audition will take place in an area of space-time known as P-134, somewhere with infinite potential and where dreams come true through time travel. The winners will debut as Time Turners who journey through time while creating music and art.
— KPop Wiki
Initially, netizens were excited due to the contestants, as former VIVA member Lea Navvab Huening (also known as J’Lea or Jung Lea and famously the sister of TXT‘s Hueningkai and Kep1er‘s Huening Bahiyyih ) could potentially debut again.
🎥
TimeTurner_8th Highlight ✨정리아 Leanavvab
9 o’clock every night (KST)
TIKTOK LIVE ON-AIR#TIMETURNER #타임터너 pic.twitter.com/8kWJsXFLp1— TIMETURNER (@TIMETURNER_KR) November 9, 2024
Yet, the show proved disappointing due to its low-budget nature, along with “influencer” contestants. Netizens have also been annoyed that votes are gathered via paid TikTok gifts.
me being excited for timeturner because all the contestants were 19+ versus finding out it's just a rigged show made for farming tiktok gifts pic.twitter.com/iEHyZXYKIp
— mari🪷🐈⬛ (@lotuslaced) November 11, 2024
timeturner contestant saying she didn’t know votes would end up being paid gifts and she’s sorry and telling her fans they really don’t have to vote 😭 pic.twitter.com/ishwg4fL0h
— saz ❖ (@miyagender) November 10, 2024
the new timeturner girl group “survival show” is so low budget 😭 they’re not even seeing this whole thing is just to farm tiktok gifts pic.twitter.com/OfvgacQqTC
— 천사 (@yeof4iryy) November 8, 2024
Now, the official social media accounts for Time Turner have addressed the criticism in new statements in both English and Korean. The production team revealed they are preparing to take legal action against hate comments directed toward either members or MCs.
Additionally, Time Turner will take a short break. Fans hope the production will improve.
🌌 TimeTurner
<Break Announcement>
The next battle will continue on the 14th at 9 PM (KST)<휴방 공지>
다음 배틀은 14일 밤 9시(KST)에 계속됩니다.#TIMETURNER #타임터너 pic.twitter.com/uVHH2UpMAf— TIMETURNER (@TIMETURNER_KR) November 12, 2024