Mnet's idol survival program "Boys Planet" has announced its official TOP9 ranking, with Chinese trainee Zhang Hao taking the top spot. This marks the first time a foreigner has been the center of a K-pop group formed through an Mnet audition program. As a result, Zhang Hao will debut as the team's center and receive the most prominent parts in their title song, along with a solo track.

Despite many K-pop fans recognizing Zhang Hao's talent and skills, his Chinese nationality has sparked controversy among viewers. Concerns have arisen as anti-China sentiment has grown in response to China's alleged cultural invasion, an issue that has persisted since the 2010s.

The controversy surrounding Zhang Hao's past actions has resurfaced, prompting further scrutiny. Online communities have uncovered that Zhang Hao attended the 100th-anniversary celebration of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at Fujian Normal University. The event, hosted by the university's CCP committee, featured a youth group known as Gongcheongdan, which asserts anti-American aid and claims that China supported North Korea against the U.S. during the Korean War.

Zhang Hao reportedly performed a song dedicated to revolutionary martyrs at the event to celebrate the CCP's centennial. This revelation has led to criticism from internet users, who have expressed concerns over his involvement with a group that supports anti-U.S. aid.

Some have questioned why Zhang Hao would seek to make money in a capitalist country while praising the Communist Party. Korean fans, in particular, have expressed reluctance to accept Zhang Hao as the center of the debut group, given his top ranking in the finale.

Previous controversies involving Chinese idol singers, such as EXO's Lay, f(x)'s Victoria, Kyulkyung, and (G)I-DLE's Yuqi, who have publicly supported the One China policy, have heightened concerns among Korean fans about Zhang Hao's past actions.

Copyright © 2023 Kpop Reporter. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.