Just like the first season, the male trainees are labeled by a grade from A to F according to their talent and ability. However, unlike the first season, where the girls all ate the same food and had the same access to bathrooms, the program is severely discriminating against boys with lower grades. It's been revealed that the trainees in the lower grades get different food, and are limited even in bathroom use.
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One of the labels said, "The bathroom is allowed for usage starting from the 'A' group, so the trainees in the lower group have incidents where they can't take care of their basic biological needs. We understand that it's necessary to group the trainees because there are so many of them, but it's unfair for the grades to affect everything."
The food is also becoming a problem. Because the boys get food in order of level, and side dishes are limited - the top tier boys get all the food, while the lower tier boys are left with just rice.
Another label said, "They're all growing boys, but they're eating just rice without any side dishes. They're not given enough food and they're forced to fight over it. The boys in the lower tier level have to eat and get strength, but they're getting weaker. We're worried this is just making young boys feel defeated."
The boys are also allowed out of the dorms only in order. Because there are so many boys and the lower grades can only leave after everyone in the upper level has left, the lower tier boys wait over 6 hours just to be able to go home. A third label said, "The label can only follow the staff's orders because if we complain, it could be bad for our trainee. Trainees are working so hard just to get their faces out. We're sad that their effort is being twisted."
A fourth label said, "'Produce 101' is a place that fulfills trainees' dreams. We participated without choice so we could get their faces out. But we thought maybe we made a mistake, seeing how they're being treated by rank even outside of broadcast. The program is being run through adult logic, and it may become a program that steals young peoples' dreams."
Mnet defended themselves by saying, "We're moving by group because there are so many of them. The trainees are treating each other with respect while competing. There is nothing that viewers have to worry about."
However, when viewers heard of the process, many were appalled. Netizens left comments such as, "Are they crazy? They're all humans. Why are they being treated differently?", "This is ridiculous," "You're teaching these young children some great things," and more.
What do you think?
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