The debate surrounding Kim Chae-won and her “Produce 48” rankings has sparked fresh controversy on Korean online communities. Despite never ranking within the top tiers during the show, Kim Chae-won gained immense popularity as a member of Iz*One, leading some to claim she was second only to Jang Won Young in fan support.
However, this assertion has drawn backlash. “If you’re going to claim she was that popular, shouldn’t she have placed in the top five at least once during the show?“
Critics argue that Chaewon’s rise wasn’t organically earned through public support, pointing out her absence in top rankings throughout the program. Detractors accuse her fans—particularly older male fans of being overly defensive and delusional about her status.
One netizen stated, “These same people condemned Jung Yura and Cho Min for corruption but ignore similar manipulation in idol survival shows. It’s the same as college admissions or job fraud in the real world.“
Some argued that unlike other members like Jang Won Young and An Yujin, who were clearly popular from the start, Chaewon’s path seemed artificially supported. Accusations of her being a “parachute pick” or benefiting from unseen backing have circulated, although solid evidence remains lacking.
Still, others tried to defuse the situation, noting, “IZ*ONE was a product of both talent and entertainment politics. Whether manipulated or not, all members had their share of fandom.”
What remains clear is that Chaewon’s journey from an underdog to a fan-favorite continues to polarize K-pop fans, especially as she advances in her career post-IZ*ONE with LE SSERAFIM. Her supporters argue that her talent and charm spoke louder than initial rankings, while skeptics continue to demand transparency over what happened behind the scenes of “Produce 48”.
