Pledis Speaks Up About NU'EST Baekho Being Victimized By 'Produce 101' Vote Manipulation
An official from NU'EST's agency Pledis Entertainment said on November 18 that, "We are glad that Baekho's damage was clearly revealed even though it was late," adding, "We will continue to watch CJ ENM's future actions."
Regarding compensation for damages in CJ ENM's official position, he said, "We have not received or discussed any compensation from CJ ENM yet."
PD Ahn Joon Young, who has been sentenced to prison, said in court that he had eliminated a trainee who had indicated his own intention to drop out. Currently, many netizens in various communities rumor that Baekho was the one who dropped out. To this matter, Pledis stressed that, "It's not true."
'Produce 101' season 2, starring Baekho, was the program that gave birth to boy group Wanna One. At that time, Wanna One was active in South Korea and around the world, as well as in various commercials, and gained huge profits for each member. Baekho was eliminated from the debut group due to vote rigging and is considered one of the biggest victims. He is now working with his original group NU'EST.
Earlier in the day, the court disclosed the list of trainees who were damaged by the ranking manipulation at an appeals court hearing on charges of obstruction of business and fraud by producer Ahn Joon Young and CP Kim Yong Beom.
>>> Read more: Seoul Court Reveals 'Produce 101' Trainees Eliminated By Vote Manipulation
In season 1, Kim Suhyun and Seo Hyelin were eliminated due to manipulation of the first round of voting, while in season 2, Sung Hyunwoo was eliminated due to manipulation of the first round of voting, and Kang Dong Ho (Baekho) was eliminated due to manipulation of the fourth round of voting. In season 3, Lee Gaeun and Han Chowon were eliminated due to manipulation of the fourth round of voting. In the case of season 4, Timothée Anzardi was eliminated in the first first round of voting, Kim Kook Heon and Lee Jin Woo were eliminated in the third round of voting, and Koo Jung Mo, Lee Jin Hyuk and Geum Dong Hyun were eliminated in the finale.