Leo is facing backlash over misogynistic and violent lyrics from his time as a HYBE trainee.
Leo, a former member of BigHit’s pre-debut group Trainee A, is now confirmed as a contestant on Boys Planet II. Fans quickly spotted him despite Mnet’s “blind pick” voting system.
The controversy began when old rap lyrics resurfaced. Leo’s verses reportedly included lines about violence against women and rape.
Fans criticized him for aggressive and insensitive content.
“perfect time to remember that leo is a misogynist, whenever he was angry he wrote lyrics about violence against women and rape, all u see is him talking about sex and ‘bitch’. he destroyed trainee a bc of this. are u still going to support him in boys planet 2? lol” — Light, Twitter
His departure from Trainee A was seen as a major factor in the group’s disbandment after the backlash.
Others quoted his lyrics directly:
“fuck that hoe in my bank, THAT shit stopped breathing
ain’t nobody gon tell me why that bitch stopped breathing” — Twitter user ꧁ᬊᬁ 𝐴𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑙 ᬊ᭄꧂
More fans expressed disgust over his apology for writing a song about beating women, which he claimed was made when he was angry.
“mind you the man on the right rapped about killing women and apologised for it saying he wrote it when he was angry as if that makes it any better” — padmi¹⁶, Twitter
The Boys Planet II show is set to premiere in July, with Leo’s participation now under heavy scrutiny. The situation is gaining traction as fans debate whether to back him given his past controversy.