Produce X's producing director Ahn Joon-young admitted that he had manipulated Season 3 and 4. However, he denied allegations that he manipulated rankings of Seasons 1 and 2.
In regards to this, one of the trainees, Niwa Shiori, who appeared in Season 1 confessed that Season 1 had an unfair situation.
On November 8th, Niwa Shiori wrote on her Twitter, "Audition programs are contests already predetermined with the results. There is no difference in Season 1." She implied the possible manipulation in Season 1 of Produce 101.
In particular, she referred to the title song 'Pick Me', and said, "When the 'Pick Me' song was turned on, some trainees already knew the song and its choreography perfectly. They were there having practiced the song."
She added, "I was originally not going to say anything about the possible manipulation, but I had a really hard time after the program aired."
Here, Shiori said 'the program' and netizens speculated that she referred to the MBC 'PD Notebook', which covered the suspicions of 'Produce 101' manipulation.
Then Shiori continued, "I would like everyone to know the majority of the trainees are like me and are not at fault."
Niwa Shiori appeared in Mnet 'Produce 101' which aired in 2016. She seems to have conveyed the feelings related to the recent controversy of the Produce 101 series by Ahn Joon-young.
The producing director Ahn Joon Young admitted that he had manipulated the 'Produce 48' broadcast last year and the 'Produce X101' broadcast this year. He was arrested on November 5th.
Police has found that the PD Ahn has received favors more than 40 times at the adult entertainment center from entertainment companies in Gangnam area since the second half of last year. The cost of favors he received exceeded 100 million won at a time.
However, Ahn Joon-young denied allegations that he manipulated the rankings of Seasons 1st and 2nd of 'Produce 101'. Those seasons produced IOI and Wanna One.
When Ahn Joon-young admitted to rigging seasons 3 and 4, the groups who debuted with 'Produce 48' and 'Produce X101', were affected negatively. IZ*ONE and X1 are currently in a rumor of possible disbandment.
The suspicion of manipulation still remains in Seasons 1 and 2 although the PD denied the allegations of manipulation. On November 7th, 'Produce 101' Season 2 performer Park Hee-seok referred to the incident and said, "I hope it is not going to be repeated." On November 8th, Niwa Shiori also exposed the suspicion of rigging in Season 1.
In addition to the 'Produce 101' series, the police are also looking into the suspicion of voting manipulation of Mnet's other auditions such as 'Idol School'.
