The police conducted the third search and seizure on CJ ENM amid intensifying investigation on Mnet's Produce X101's alleged vote manipulation.
On October 24th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Cyber Security Division is conducting a search and seizure on the CJ E & M broadcasting station located in Sangam-dong, Seoul, and is continuing further investigations by prohibiting access of employees to the company.
The seizure and search was conducted on July 31 and August 12. One media outlet released the news of the third time search and seizure on October 24th.
The investigation was initiated after the last episode of 'Produce X101' was aired on July 19. Netizens pointed out that the number of votes among 11 members selected as the debut group appeared in a certain pattern, increasing suspicions of manipulation. A full-fledged police investigation is in progress.
The police investigation began with scrutinizing producing directors related to 'Produce X101' and the staff involved in the program. The investigation team also carried out a search and seizure on five entertainment companies.
Currently, the police are investigating whether there was a similar problem in the previous season that produced I.O.I, Wanna One, and IZ*One.
Singer Lee Hae-in, who was an idol school performer, recently appeared in MBC 'PD Notebook' and claimed that the company manipulated 3,000 group auditions. Since then, Lee has made an exclusive contract with CJ ENM's debut promise, but complained that they had not fulfilled the promise.
