New Survival Show “Starlight Boys” Under Fire For Alleged Racism And Xenophobia

Starlight Boys, an ongoing South Korean and Chinese boy group survival show, recently premiered via iQIYI and SBS on October 26, 2024. Sixty-nine male contestants from around the world are competing for a spot in the final top 9. While Lee Sung Kyoung is the MC, Lee Seung Gi, BIGBANG’s Daesung, Choi Youngjoon, Hanhae, Kwon Eun Bi, Pentagon’s Hui, THE BOYZ’s Eric, and STAYC’s Yoon are judges (known as “Guiders”).

“Starlight Boys” poster

It’s already been slammed with racism and xenophobia allegations despite its marketing as a global show.

Here, dazzling teenagers from all over the world gather to receive professional training at Starlight Academy, crossing the boundaries of language and culture and igniting the stage with their talent and passion. Through fierce competition and teamwork, they will compete for the opportunity to become a globally recognized super idol. Let’s witness how they are born from the starlight and become trendsetting stars!

— iQIYI

Japanese American trainee Syo and Japanese trainee Ryou Kaito performed AB6IX‘s “BREATHE” together. They proved to be a great team, but they both showed their individual talents.

Their performance has gone viral on social media, with 3.3M views at the time of writing. Many netizens are outraged over the guiders’ decision. In the episode, Syo received no stars.

so you're telling me this man got zero star?????????? pic.twitter.com/G7YuMr4P0Y

— 💌 (@yuseopie) October 27, 2024

yeah and the other guy got 1 star and really syo is so pretty 😔 they all just don't have any taste

— aléxa (@arnteness) October 27, 2024

he ate wtf were the mentors talking abt 😭

— kat ✶ ds girl (@kkusuriurii) October 27, 2024

Netizens called out the guiders’ rudeness toward Syo and felt their decision-making was entirely hypocritical. Syo, who hadn’t learned dancing, wasn’t even given one star for his potential, while Korean trainee Kim Seong Ju was given a star despite no dance lessons. He was also told he was quite cute, while other trainees were given none for seemingly being “too cute.”

one star for a guy that did NOTHING on stage but zero stars for SYO who sang and danced live stably??? ok you SUCK @Starlight_Boys_ #StarlightBoys #SYO pic.twitter.com/lEnLGIcZeM

— 🌪️ (@withSYO_) October 26, 2024

literally a solo Korean guy came out after this with ZERO trainee/idol experience that barely had any choreography and no fucking charisma or star quality at all but they gave him one star bc he was cute.

we all know exactly why the judges were more critical of Syo than others. https://t.co/mr3H9yNAiA

— cait 💜🫧 mostly ia (@taeminstease) October 28, 2024

Netizens also raised concerns regarding racism and xenophobia. Syo had mentioned that he’s stereotyped due to being half-Black, as most expect him to portray a hip-hop image.

The xenophobia is at peaks in this show

— yujinsgram (@yujingram) October 27, 2024

Additionally, in a preview, Chinese singer Sun Ying Hao speaks up on behalf of idols and trainees, emphasizing that they are humans, not machines. Netizens suspect this was in response to the alleged xenophobia and racism from the judges.

nahh this doesnt sit right with me in ANY way. we are living in a world where we are trying to have safe and healthy working environments for EVEN kpop idols, trying to exhaust and starve them like in the past is not it #starlightboys pic.twitter.com/wYL012OBR9

— mimi 🤍 VOTE FOR SUN YING HAO!!! (@weipilled) October 27, 2024

please cheer for him. even if he isn’t your pick, cheer him on. he is sticking up for every trainee in that room, and risking his chances of debuting while doing so.

— noelle (@midascrush) October 26, 2024

I will not be explaining the situation more. look up what’s happened between the judges and SYH, it’s not my job to educate you. learn about the xenophobia he’s faced while on the show.

— noelle (@midascrush) October 26, 2024

While netizens are outraged by the judges’ apparent biases and prejudices, they encourage each other to vote for Sun Ying Hao, Syo, and all mistreated contestants.