Is JYP Showing Favoritism Towards This A2K Contestant?

A2K, abbreviated from America to Korea, is an idol survival show with an American spin. Under JYP Entertainment and Republic Records, a girl group will debut with the winning contestants from all over North America under a K-Pop system. Like many survival shows, the series has viewers heated left and right by the competition. But, netizens have noticed JYP showing favoritism to one contestant in particular, which brings the discussion of unfairness.

The latest episode featured Team Marteami, consisting of Kendall Ebeling, Yuna Gonzales, and Lexus Vang, performing Alcohol Free by TWICE.

Team Marteami of Yuna Gonzales (left), Kendall Ebeling (middle), Lexus Vang (right) | JYP Entertainment/Youtube

JYP critiqued the girls one by one, starting with Lexus, then Yuna, and lastly, Kendall. However, his last critique was much different from the other two.

JYP’s critique on Kendall Ebeling after the Alcohol Free performance | JYP Entertainment/Youtube

Netizens noticed that he seemed to be much harsher with Lexus and Yuna in comparison to Kendall. As the team walks off, he continues to critique the team on what they could improve on and how they’re lacking.

JYP’s critique on Lexus after the Alcohol Free performance (1/2) | JYP Entertainment/Youtube JYP’s critique on Lexus after the Alcohol Free performance (2/2) | JYP Entertainment/Youtube JYP’s critique on Yuna after the Alcohol Free performance | JYP Entertainment/Youtube

 

However, he makes no critiques about Kendall. This lead many to suspect favoritism.

Jyp’s favoritism towards Kendall is already too much Because how is it possible that he gave all kinds of criticism to Lexi and Yuna and simply praised Kendall when she was the one who sang the worst of the three? PLS BE FR it’s already being too obvious #a2k

— ???????????? ; EVNNE DEBUT -4 (@suminslover_) September 15, 2023

you watch this clip and tell me how kendall’s voice is better than the others… if anything lexi had the most stable voice this whole performance and kendall had the least stable voice but he never wants to admit that #a2k pic.twitter.com/8lB8p0DFGJ

— yesly ₉.₁₅ (@horchuuta) September 15, 2023

ofc Kendall got barely any critiques when lexus and yuna did better… #A2K pic.twitter.com/ljiKaJP89c

— matty |⊹˚. ♡ taybrina (@pinkemails) September 15, 2023

#A2K no hate to kendall but she was off key in some parts, how did jyp say she had prefect vocals lexus was keeping it stable and mi poor yuna is so discouraged u could just see it

— JENNI｡༝ ࣪⭑.ᐟ (@S00BEANZ) September 15, 2023

While some say his lenience towards Kendall was due to her fitting the concept of Alcohol Free more, many viewers find his judgement unfair.

What do you think?