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![SPOILER] Here are the top 6 winners of 'The Debut: Dream Academy', debuting in the new girl group KATSEYE! | allkpop](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22860%22%20height%3D%22546%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20860%20546%22%3E%3Cfilter%20id%3D%22b%22%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20stdDeviation%3D%2212%22%20%2F%3E%3C%2Ffilter%3E%3Cpath%20fill%3D%22%237a585f%22%20d%3D%22M0%200h860v544H0z%22%2F%3E%3Cg%20filter%3D%22url(%23b)%22%20transform%3D%22translate(1.7%201.7)%20scale(3.35938)%22%20fill-opacity%3D%22.5%22%3E%3Cellipse%20fill%3D%22%23d97a9e%22%20rx%3D%221%22%20ry%3D%221%22%20transform%3D%22rotate(114.7%20-37.3%2058.2)%20scale(63.87205%2037.52393)%22%2F%3E%3Cellipse%20fill%3D%22%23986603%22%20rx%3D%221%22%20ry%3D%221%22%20transform%3D%22matrix(-5.60259%2024.08596%20-46.89328%20-10.90776%20148.6%20153.1)%22%2F%3E%3Cellipse%20fill%3D%22%234b6a62%22%20cx%3D%22106%22%20cy%3D%2271%22%20rx%3D%2268%22%20ry%3D%2264%22%2F%3E%3Cellipse%20fill%3D%22%239f3b5f%22%20cx%3D%22218%22%20cy%3D%22109%22%20rx%3D%2248%22%20ry%3D%2298%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fg%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
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A shocking revelation for fans and candidates
The show, which formed the girl group KATSEYE consisting of the top six contestants Sophia , Lara , Megan , Yoonchae , Manon , and Daniela , left fans in shock. The group debuted on August 16, 2024 with the EP SIS (Soft Is Strong) , and a behind-the-scenes documentary titled Popstar Academy: Katseye aired starting on August 21. The documentary, which was supposed to show the behind-the-scenes of the group’s formation, quickly revealed the controversial methods used to choose the members.
Contested selection methods
In the first episodes of the documentary, it was revealed that 20 girls were selected from 120,000 applicants, which is only 0.00017% of the applicants. However, what really outraged fans was that the candidates were not informed that they were going to participate in a public survival show with a global vote. For weeks, the girls simply thought that they were going to be trained to be pre-selected into the beginner group.It wasn’t until episode 6 that they were informed, just before the second elimination, that four of them would have to leave the show. Worse yet, this announcement was made by a robotic screen, with no feedback from their coaches, leaving them alone to pack their bags and leave immediately after.Emotional manipulation criticized
Another particularly criticized point of the show was when the contestants were asked to choose five people they thought would be ideal for the opening group. These interviews, supposedly private, were broadcast in front of the other contestants, creating palpable tension. The documentary did not fail to highlight this awkward moment with on-screen text stating: » The contestants did not expect to watch their answers while sitting next to each other. «![SPOILER] Here are the top 6 winners of 'The Debut: Dream Academy', debuting in the new girl group KATSEYE! | allkpop](https://www.allkpop.com/upload/2023/11/content/180021/1700284902-20231117-kat.jpeg)
Reactions from disappointed candidates
Contestant Lexie left the show midway through, in episode 7, saying, » The show changed so much when it went public and it turned into this show that pitted us against each other. And that was something that I personally really didn’t like. It felt really bad, and I was really upset. » She previously told HxG that she was leaving the show to pursue other interests.Another contestant, Karlee , also expressed her disappointment: “ From the beginning, we didn’t know it was a survival show. It was about training, choosing the girls, getting ready to debut, and debuting. What embodies K-pop and a group is their bond and trust in each other, and what survival shows do is pit the contestants against each other. I don’t think you should pit people against each other to form a group. ”Brooklyn added: » I was personally told during that interview that this would not be aired and I felt so betrayed. «
