X1 and IZ*ONE labels have recently got together to discuss possible disbandment.
According to one of the labels, the general consensus seems to be that the groups can no longer promote. The label of an IZ*ONE member said, "As the controversy around vote manipulation gets worse, the members are getting more and more anxious. We have calmed them down for now, but the general consensus was that we can no longer promote. It is also such a big situation socially, so we are looking closely at the event. The final decision is up to CJ ENM. Because the strong consensus is that we can no longer promote, a decision will be made soon regardless of the police investigations." X1 is so far carrying out overseas schedules as that were already set, but is expected to be unable to promote further.
Some of the labels are suggesting that the members that were part of the manipulation be eliminated and the group go on without them, but that could lead to misunderstandings, and the overriding opinion was that the group should be disbanded. The label of an X1 member said, "There is a flood of demands saying that the group is a manipulated one, and so are some of the members. In the course of the investigations, the worst situation may come where the name of the members who benefitted are revealed. We must stop promotions to block any more damage."
SHARE
This is so sad for them, but most likely for the best. The point of these groups is to take the "nation's favorites" in a sense and promote them, which will then give them a strong start when they depart for their own labels and potential future groups. All that could be swept away if they get caught up in this scandal with the companies that bribed their trainees into the groups. I feel like the absolute best case scenario is that if they go this route, people MIGHT be a bit more lenient and kind to them in the future. Worst case scenario is that this will haunt them for the rest of their careers and people will always label them as the 'cheaters' who got an unfair advantage. I think the biggest factors which will tell us exactly how that will work out will be if they reveal who the true winners should have been (including anyone who is already in the two respective groups), and whether or not any of the trainees did in fact get any sort of special treatment or had any idea of what was going on. Because hopefully even if the first part is revealed, the second part could really tip the scales for these idols' futures. If they had any idea of what was going on, then they are done. But if they had no idea, people might take pity on them for being victims of their company's greed.
7 more replies