"That's so sick": Fans criticize HYBE x Geffen Records for allegedly not informing KATSEYE Dream Academy contestants on their survival show appearance

On August 23, the Netflix documentary series, PopStar Academy, was released, revealing the creation of HYBE X Geffen Records' girl group, KATSEYE. The series was shot over the course of 18 months, documenting the growth of the Dream Academy contestants. A total of 20 participants kickstarted their journey towards their potential debut as HYBE x Geffen Records' global girl group.

While Dream Academy which was released in November 2023 reached the internet as a survival show, the documentary series, PopStar Academy revealed that the girls were not informed that they'd be participating in a survival show. The trainees who were preparing under the collaboration of the two labels were allegedly under the belief that they'd be debuting together as a global girl group, KATSEYE.

However, the documentary series, which revealed several moments like conversations between the contestants in their dorm, their practice sessions, and more, was aired without their knowledge. The contestants were reportedly told that these moments would be kept private. Regardless, many of these events entered the Netflix series, PopStar Academy.

Additionally, a scene from the series, revealed that the contestants were only informed halfway into their training period, in the sixth episode of PopStar Academy, that they'd have to compete against each other through a survival program called Dream Academy to secure a spot in KATSEYE.

This shocking piece of information also resulted in one of the contestants, Lexie, leaving the show in episode 7. When this news landed on the internet, fans were puzzled and angered at the same. Many discussed whether it was legal to hide such crucial information from the contestants.

They also called out HYBE x Geffen Records for their lack of professionalism which cost the mental health of the contestants. Here are a few reactions to the same:

"the fact that originally the katseye girls didn’t know it was going to be a survival show…..that’s so sick i’m so sorry to all those girls for going through that emotionally turmoil

"When I got to the part where they were telling us that the trainees didn’t know they would be on a survival show I felt so bad for everyone I couldn’t even imagine" said a fan on X

"Just the thought of these young kids going through literal abuse for entertainment, all so they can achieve a dream of theirs while having to be exploited by adults." added another netizen

More netizens talked about how unfair the show's team was to the KATSEYE's Dream Academy contestants.

"HXG plotting the show for years & only telling them days before it was publicly announced was wild AF. They’re messed up PERIOD. Am I surprised that they did things the way they did, HELL NO." said an X user

"also what they have done by not telling them it was a survival show should be ILLEGAL. everything should have been clear from the moment they started training and shooting since they had to sign something for the cameras to be there recording the doc" added another X user

"the team behind pop star academy not telling the girls they’re going to end up on a survival show is beyond cruel. a survival show takes a different kind of mental capacity that these girls didn’t sign up for" stated a fan

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KATSEYE's Dream Academy contestants were reportedly unaware of their survival show appearance

KASTEYE is a six-piece global girl group housed collaboratively under HYBE and Geffen Records. The final lineup was boiled down from the 20 contestants who participated in the survival show, Dream Academy, organized by the two agencies. These 20 contestants were reportedly selected from over 120,000 candidates who applied for the debut.

While the 20 girls kickstarted their training period with the idea that they were preparing for their upcoming debut into KATSEYE, they were soon informed that they would be participating in a survival show. This information was revealed in episode 6 of the Netflix documentary series that unveiled KATSEYE's creation. However, this wasn't the only shocking piece of information they received.

The show was also criticized for its alleged inhuman behavior. Around the second elimination round of KATSEYE's Dream Academy, four girls were asked to go back home through a robotic screen without receiving any feedback or comments from their trainers. Additionally, the girls were also asked which five members from the group would make the ideal debut team.

While this information was gathered through personal interviews and was supposed to be kept private, these clips were played to the members when they were seated next to each other. As reported by Allkpop, the contestant who left the show midway, Lexie, commented the following regarding the show:

"The whole program changed so much when it went public and when it turned into, like, this show, turning us against each other. And that was something I really didn’t like personally. It felt really wrong, and I was really upset.”

The contestant Karlee also added the following:

"From the start, we didn’t know this was a survival show. It was supposed to be training – pick the girls, prepare for debut, and debut. What embodies K-pop and a group is their bond and their trust in each other, and what survival shows do is they put contestants against each other. I don’t believe in putting people against each other to form a group.”

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The contestant Brooklyn additionally mentioned that they were previously told her that the interview clips would be kept private and stated that she felt betrayed when it was shown to the other members. Regarding the same, HYBE x Geffen president, Mitra, allegedly expressed that the show was made that way since it needed a more compelling storyline.