A competitor on Mnet's latest I-LAND K-Pop competition show is rapidly becoming the least-favored participant among the fans, Koreaboo reported.
Ni-ki is a 14-year-old Japanese trainee with the outstanding dancing ability and stage appearance, which helped him in securing a slot in episode 1 of I-LAND.
The eleven apprentices who failed to pass the admission vote were hurled out to the 'Ground,' A training place where debut opportunities are not available. At the same time, the other twelve, including Ni-ki, have relocated into the lavish I-LAND dorm.
At first, Ni-ki managed to enter I-LAND along with Ta-ki, a 14-year-old trainee from Japan. The viewers immediately loved and were enamored by their friendship.
However, things took a turn when Ni-ki chose to send Ta-ki to the Ground.
Despite Ni-ki's decision, Ta-ki remained faithful to Ni-ki, as seen in episode 2, when he said he understood his friend's decision. Ta-ki even applauded when Ni-ki performed for the I-LANDers.
Many onlookers have been expecting for Ni-ki to show Ta-ki the same affection, but those expectations crashed in Episode 3. When Ta-ki was selected to return to I-LAND and Ni-ki was downgraded to the Ground, Ni-Ki did not look pleased.
Furthermore, he is being scrutinized by viewers for having a weak, self-serving attitude who lack teamwork skills. During the I-LANDers' challenge, which was all about teamwork, the viewers said that Ni-ki only focused on himself.
One viewer commented, "If you are going to debut, you have to learn how to be more empathetic towards others and work as a team, not just yourself. It was time you got demoted to Ground."
After the latest episode, some viewers are starting to doubt that Ni-ki will be able to debut. Meanwhile, others believe that "evil editing" is making him seem unlikeable, opposite to his real character.
I-LAND is still three episodes in, and there is still so much left to discover about the trainees. Here's wishing that viewers will get to see a different side of Ni-Ki as the show advances.
