Public Sentiment Toward Lea Navvab Huening Shifts Drastically After Survival Show

Many initially wanted her to debut again.
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Koreaboo

Siblings TXT‘s Hueningkai and Kep1er‘s Huening Bahiyyih are both popular and established K-Pop idols now. Still, their older sister, Lea Navvab Huening (also known as J’Lea or Jung Lea), was actually the first to make her debut in 2017 as a member of VIVA. She was active as an idol for about three years until the group disbanded in 2019 without a formal statement.

From left: Lea, Hueningkai, Bahiyyih | @txt.bighitent/TikTok
From left: Lea, Hueningkai, Bahiyyih | @txt.bighitent/TikTok

For years, Lea has maintained a following as a YouTuber, TikToker, singer, model, and MC. In November 2022, she debuted her first single, “A Good Day To Love.”

In April of this year, Lea signed with PI Corporation. Recently, she joined as a contestant on PI Corporation and Makestar‘s upcoming global girl group survival show Time Turner.

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

Lea
Lea | @TIMETURNER_KR/X

Auditions were open for women of any nationality aged 19 and up until September 18. Time Turner, which will broadcast for only two weeks, is scheduled to conclude this week via TikTok. Winners will be selected through global fan votes with no judges’ involvement.

Gbn_lhCbgAAfZke
| @TIMETURNER_KR/X

Although Lea previously said she liked her current life, she has always been open to re-debut. In a 2021 interview with &ASIAN, Lea said she would like to try debuting as an idol again if the opportunity arose.

But, I still want to be an idol. Though I did it [before], it didn’t work out. So if I have another chance, I want to try again.

— Lea Navvab Huening

Lea
| SHINE E&M

Fans were initially excited for Lea to debut again, as they long hoped she would. Yet, public sentiment has changed since the show premiered.

@enharikistan

VOTE FOR HER AND YEONSEO YALL #fyp #hueinglea #junglea #timeturner #kpopsurvivalshow #leanavvab #txt #kep1er

♬ APT. – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars

@xolovetyun

🥹🥹🥹 LET’S MAKE LEA DEBUT LIKE WE MADE HIYYIH DEBUT!! LEAMON FIGHTING!!!! 🍋💛💛 #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #HUENING_BAHIYYIH #LEANAVVAB #timeturner #JUNGLEA #정리아 #lea #kep1er @🍋LEANAVVAB랴밥🍋 @timeturner_official

♬ FIND ME NOW – TIME TURNER

Time Turner proved disappointing due to its low-budget nature. Netizens have also been annoyed that votes are gathered via paid TikTok gifts.

The “influencer” contestants have also been underwhelming in terms of talent and idol potential. Netizens have been astounded by the performances. Top contestant Kelly Kim especially has been ridiculed for her lack of skills.

Despite Lea’s experience, she has been among the criticized contestants, as she appears ill-prepared. Clips of her and Cleo performing ITZY‘s “Untouchable” have circulated, going viral across social media. Lea seemed to mess up the choreography.

@apateuuu_

leaaa fighting 😭🥲 #leanavvab #cleo #timeturner #us #TIMETURNER

♬ suara asli – yoonn – yoonn

@imspycy

Replying to @aywonchu the real bestie harusnya memang kaya gini 😭 #TimeTurner #Time_Turner #Us #Cleo #Lea

♬ original sound – aimspaici – aimspaici

While Lea is best known for her singing skills, even her singing clips have left much to be desired. Some feel like there might still be potential, though.

@kananmats

Time turner – leanavvab performance 2nd battle Sorry idk what my phone is doing the whole perf got lost 😭😭 #timeturner #survivalshow #kpop #fyp #leanavvab

♬ son original – ✨

Screenshot_20241120_142037_TikTok

Screenshot_20241120_142024_TikTok

On the other hand, as more clips circulate showing Lea in an unfavorable light, public sentiment has shifted dramatically toward her. Many are confessing they regret ever wishing for her to debut again.

Screenshot_20241120_141922_TikTok

Screenshot_20241120_141939_TikTok

The “Untouchable” performance, especially, was the “law straw” for many.

Read more below.

New Controversial K-Pop Survival Show Addresses Criticism

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