Trainees are well aware of public opinion. Let's be more empathetic.
These trainees are just humans with dreams, like anyone else. They step into the spotlight, hoping to achieve something meaningful, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to the scrutiny around them. A while ago, Zhang Jijun’s studio released an audio message he had recorded for his fans, and it really struck a chord with me. Here's a rough translation:
Hehe, I found a letter I wrote to myself before joining the show. Back then, I genuinely thought that by the time I opened this letter, I’d already be back home. But today, I’m reading it out loud for everyone. After all, I’ve always said that I want to be someone who sees things through and accomplishes what they set out to do. Since I decided to join the show, there have been many different voices. I want to take this moment to talk about them. Just like I wrote in the letter, debuting as part of a group was never something I had considered. For me, the process of chasing my dream has always been more important than the outcome. Along the way, I’ve met so many friends, enjoyed several performances, received professional training, and been given guidance. These were all things I dreamed about as a child, and now they’ve all come true. That’s already more than enough for me, and I feel incredibly satisfied and grateful. During the competition, I’ve also seen some comments—things like, “He’s just here to show his face,” “He won’t make it past the first round,” or “Why even bother if you’re not making it to the finals?” If you need to vent, feel free to direct your frustrations at me. After all, it’s you who have supported me and stood by me, but also you who have had to bear the brunt of disappointment. I’m truly sorry for that. To have made it to the second public performance is already something I’m deeply grateful for. I cherish everything I have now and have been doing my best to hold my own on every stage. I’ve also heard about the recent discussions between Little Boxes (ZJJ's studio) and the team. I want to say this: please give us some time to grow together. Even though I’m far from home, in a foreign country, every time I’ve felt emotional, unwell, or struggled, Little Boxes have been by my side, providing me with the best support and care. Just like you, Little Boxes are my family, the people who matter most to me. And as a family, we should stay united and always stand by each other. Alright, that’s all for today. I originally wanted this to be a lighthearted chat, but I ended up getting emotional. Anyway, let’s leave it here for now. Goodnight, everyone.
I think we sometimes forget that these trainees read the same comments we do. They see the harsh judgments, the dismissive remarks, and the assumptions about their abilities or intentions. It’s easy for us, as viewers, to critique from the sidelines, but for them, every performance, every moment on stage, and every choice they make is deeply personal. At the end of the day, their dreams aren’t so different from ours—they just happen to be chasing theirs on a public stage. And maybe, a little kindness from us could make their path a bit easier to walk.