A Shocking “R U Next?” Elimination Confirms Fans’ Worst Fears

Over the last few weeks, viewers worldwide have tuned into R U Next?, watching as 22 trainees competed for a chance to debut in HYBE‘s next girl group.

One of the trainees who stood out from the program’s start was Jiwoo, who initially gained attention due to her pre-debut visuals. Aside from her visuals, Jiwoo’s status as the oldest participant had many fans hoping she would make it into the final line-up.

Jiwoo showed off her talents as the season progressed, cementing her place as one of the show’s vocal aces. Fans also loved her stage presence, saying she felt like an already debuted idol.

THE ICONIC JIWOO HIGH NOTE OH MY GOD pic.twitter.com/NI6aVqeVdS

— zal ☆ #THANKYOUJIWOO (@RUjiwooz) September 1, 2023

However, as the final episode drew closer, fans were surprised to see Jiwoo’s ranking drop, with her only two spots from elimination before the last episode.

THE 10 FINALISTS OF R U NEXT?

1. MOKA
2. MINJU
3. YOUNGSEO
4. WONHEE
5. YUNAH
6. IROHA
7. JEONGEUN
8. JEEMIN
9. JIWOO
10. HIMENA#RUNext #알유넥스트 pic.twitter.com/dWnRMns4Ga

— RU rune? (@willibeit) August 25, 2023

In an online forum post, a fan shared that they believed that Jiwoo was being “targeted” for elimination by the show’s judges due to her sudden lower score. Many agreed with this fan and shared their reasoning in the comments.

One commenter pointed out that in performances, Jiwoo was often off-camera during her parts, as seen in the clip below.

Comment
by u/jyeekpop from discussion im worried for Jiwoo
in jtbc_RUNext

mother jiwoo is serving us the ariana grande meal today!! giving you VOCALS in a PONYTAIL pic.twitter.com/txZ8OKn9kA

— RU rune? (@willibeit) August 25, 2023

Others felt the show’s judges had too much power and feared that fans’ votes did not hold as much weight as initially claimed. Jiwoo often ranked high internationally, and this fear proved true when it was shared that only domestic live votes would count during the finale.

Comment
by u/Dry_Homework_7142 from discussion im worried for Jiwoo
in jtbc_RUNext

Comment
by u/Lil_StrawberryMilk from discussion im worried for Jiwoo
in jtbc_RUNext

Despite these fears, some had hope that Jiwoo would make the final group as the “last” main vocal on the show, with fans voting for her to fill that position in the group.

Comment
by u/Responsible-Bed9274 from discussion im worried for Jiwoo
in jtbc_RUNext

Unfortunately, live votes were given an even lesser value during the show after it was announced that only the two most-voted trainees would be added to the group. The other four positions were to be decided by “label pick.”

TWO members will be chosen through FAN VOTES. FOUR members will be chosen through LABEL PICK.#RUNextEpisode10 #RUNext #알유넥스트 @RUNext_official

— I’LL-IT UPDATES (@illitupdates) September 1, 2023

Jiwoo did not rank high enough for automatic admission into the group and was not one of the label’s picks, meaning she did not make the I’LL-IT final line-up.

They wasted my girls time SON JIWOO IS BIGGER THAN THIS SHOW pic.twitter.com/MftT8oN5fa

— RU nura ? #Thankyoujiwoo (@yrunext) September 1, 2023

Do you think Jiwoo was targeted for elimination before the finale? Check out more heartbreaking eliminations below.

5 “R U Next?” Fan Favorites Whose Eliminations Left Fans Heartbroken