Boy Story’s Zihao faces backlash as Mnet mocks his visuals on “Boys II Planet”
Boy Story’s Zihao is at the center of controversy after a recent episode of Boys II Planet featured a segment mocking his looks.
Before the show, Zihao, the group’s lead vocalist and dancer, went viral due to harsh criticism over his visuals. Despite the negativity, he ranked 31st and has been praised for showcasing his talents.
The controversy began when a video segment showed Zihao’s standee in the center with the caption:
“The center visual! But in the next life…with a better choice…”
Viewers quickly interpreted this as a direct insult, suggesting Zihao’s appearance isn’t good enough now and the production was mocking him publicly.
Fans and netizens exploded on Twitter slamming Mnet:
“Why is Mnet being so disrespectful to Li Zihao? Just because the kid laughs it off, do they think it’s okay to act like total jerks? You’re not adults, are you?”
“Li Zihao was born in 2004. If he went to college, he probably hasn’t even graduated yet, and instead of protecting him, the production team endlessly mocks him. It’s not about wanting him to get fan support—it’s about realizing that mocking someone’s appearance is rude.”
“And seriously, the official account completely fails at minding what it posts. There are plenty of crazy people on Twitter, and while they were making fun of him among themselves, the official account somehow noticed it and amplified it—so pathetic.”
Fans are calling out Mnet for disrespecting a young trainee who’s only 21 years old and still early in his career.
The situation is gaining traction with many monitoring how Mnet will respond, but no statement has been issued yet.
Boy Story’s Zihao
Caption read: “The center visual! But in the next life…with a better choice…”
