"I-LAND" Trainee Ni-ki Criticized By Viewers For Bad Attitude And Poor Teamwork

A contestant on Mnet‘s new K-Pop survival show I-LAND, is quickly becoming a fan least-favorite.

Ni-ki is a 14-year-old trainee from Japan, whose impressive dance skills and stage presence won him a spot in I-LAND in Episode 1. The 11 trainees who did not pass the entry vote were cast out to the Ground, a practice area where there is no opportunity for debut, while the remaining 12 moved into the luxurious I-LAND dorm.

Ni-ki initially entered I-LAND with Ta-ki, a 14-year-old trainee who also hails from Japan.

Viewers quickly fell in love with their friendship, only to be shocked when Ni-ki voted to send Ta-ki to the Ground.

In Episode 2, Ta-ki remained steadfastly loyal to Ni-ki, forgiving his friend’s “betrayal”. He even cheered Ni-ki on when Ni-ki danced center for the I-LANDers’ performance.

Many viewers have been hoping for Ni-ki to show Ta-ki the same love, but those hopes were dashed in Episode 3. When Ta-ki was chosen to return to I-LAND and Ni-ki was demoted to the Ground, Ni-Ki did not look happy about it, to say the least.

U SEE HOW NIKI DIDNT EVEN SMILE WHEN TAKI GOT IN?? HES SUCH A MALICIOUS PERSON WHAT THE FUCK

— 🧃⁷₁₃ (@luvnamgis) July 10, 2020

Moreover, he is being criticized by viewers for having a poor, self-serving attitude and lacking teamwork skills, especially when it came to taking care of a sick teammate.

okay now that the ep is over,, i got sum opinionzz about niki,,,,, idk he’s a good dancer and all but boy got sum ATTITUDE like when kyungmin was sick and can barely move, he didn’t have to burst at him like that like he could’ve been more considerate +

— 𖧵 rie ⁷ (@psychedeIictae) July 10, 2020

im sorry but i didn't like Niki's attitude here ksksksks yes ik they have a deadline but he could've talked to him calmly😕 pic.twitter.com/xJTugK5ELV

— ⟭⟬⁷𝙢𝙖𝙭𝙞𖧵⁵ (@prkjmnssiii) July 10, 2020

I literally have no sympathy for NIKI. If you are going to debut, you have to learn how to be more empathetic towards others and to work as a team, not just for yourself. Let's just say, it was time you got demoted to Ground. #ILAND_EP3 pic.twitter.com/BAad5XWPIN

— Zach⁷ ⟬⟭𖧵 ᴬᴰ² |San Day| #BLM (@taeluxurious) July 10, 2020

During a challenge that was all about working together, viewers say that Ni-ki focused on himself at the expense of the team.

The dance: *is about teamwork*

Heesung and Niki: “I THINK I’LL JUS FOCUS ON MYSELF.”

— 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙗𝙤𝙮 ⁷𖧵 (@amourjeon) July 10, 2020

there’s a line between being competitive and wanting bad for your team members. niki look at me when i’m talk to you.

— e⁷ (@ultfiIter) July 10, 2020

People so mad about this saying “he’s just a kid” or “it’s been two episodes” like yeah but for two episodes all he did was gossip and stir up drama and here he is repeating the same mistakes with another group of people

— 𖧵Rose⁷ 💜 (@cinna_bin) July 10, 2020

For any K-Pop group to function, good teamwork and a positive attitude are essential. As such, some viewers are beginning to doubt that Ni-ki will make his debut. Others, meanwhile, believe that “evil editing” is making him seem unlikeable, contrary to his true personality.

niki does not deserve to be an idol at all its people like him that tear teams apart and make groups hate eachother

— 🧃⁷₁₃ (@luvnamgis) July 10, 2020

yeah the way they portraying niki…..hes nawttttt debuting💀

— e⁷ (@ultfiIter) July 10, 2020

Niki ain’t never making it out the basement

— Niah⁷ (@jamaisdiom) July 10, 2020

I-LAND is only three episodes in, however, and there’s still much to learn about the trainees. Here’s hoping that viewers will get to see a new side of Ni-Ki, and fall in love with all the trainees, as the show progresses.