Popular YouTuber Exposes “Produce 101” Contestant Who Debuted As An Idol For Bullying

Produce 101 is a series that has created some iconic groups, and the second series of the male version created X1, choosing a line-up from an array of very talented artists.

Yet, popular YouTuber NareumTV has gained attention after sharing a video on Instagram exposing a contestant and a debuted idol from the show of bullying her as a child.

In the video, she explained that while the contestant didn’t debut in X1, they have since debuted as an idol under another company and are not that famous. Nareum shared the hardships she suffered at the hands of the idol, yet wishes the best for them and hopes for an apology at some point.

“A few years ago, while flipping through TV channels, I came across the audition program Produce 101, and I saw a familiar face. It was one of the people who bullied me at school. I was bullied when I was in the 4th grade of elementary school. People might say, ‘At 10 years old? That’s too young, wasn’t it just teasing?’ But 10-year-olds can be very calculating.

Back then, online cafés were really popular. Since my name is Nareum, they created a group called ‘Nashilmo’ (a group that hates Nareum). They wrote insults about me every single day and laughed among themselves.

Can you imagine the heart of a 10-year-old reading posts filled with nothing but hate in an anti-fan café about herself? Honestly, I still don’t know what I did so wrong. I was extremely timid back then and didn’t do anything at all.

It became so unbearable that I told my mom, and after a meeting with my homeroom teacher, I remember crying in a taxi on the way home, saying, ‘If I die, will they be punished? I hope they get punished.’ Even now, 20 years later, I remember the atmosphere and every detail of that day.

Later, that person showed up again on my Facebook feed through the algorithm. I gathered my courage and sent a message, but I was completely ignored. That person was eliminated and didn’t debut through that program, but has since debuted under another agency. I don’t wish for their downfall. They aren’t a very famous idol yet, but just as everyone has their own time to shine, I believe that person will have theirs too.”

I just hope they would apologize once and say they were too young back then. I would like to respond by saying, ‘Yes, we really were young,’ and smile as I cheer you on.”

— Nareum

The video was posted on December 18.