A highly anticipated new seven-member boy band, ZPOT, formally launched yesterday, marking the latest iteration of talent emerging from the reality competition series King Maker (全民造星). While the group composition has generated significant media buzz, the debut has been overshadowed by an intense online debate surrounding the exclusion of several rumored finalists, notably a contestant known as “San Gum.”
ZPOT, which aims to become a major force in the regional music scene, is led by Alvin Lai (黎子琛) as captain, with Dave Wong (黃日禧) serving as vice-captain. The lineup is completed by Hannz Chan (陳霆羲), Bosco Kwan (關曉隆), Gordon Cheung (張肇維), Marcus Lam (林焯彥), and Cow Chow (周德誠). However, the omission of several well-known hopefuls, including San Gum, “Little Chicken,” “Hill Blue,” and “Dai Ma,” quickly became the focal point of public discussion.
Excluded Contestant Addresses Rumors Live
The controversy peaked almost immediately following the announcement, particularly concerning San Gum’s rumored departure. Speculation swirled online, alleging that his exclusion stemmed from a “dark history” involving legal issues.
Addressing the flurry of accusations head-on, San Gum—who was reportedly in South Korea—took to a social media live stream yesterday to counter the claims. While casually eating, the former finalist firmly denied the litany of allegations that had spread across fan forums and news sites.
“I have been accused of having a criminal record, a tainted past, unresolved lawsuits, using illegal substances before performances, and failing to repay debts,” he stated during the stream. “Initially, I chose not to respond because these claims are entirely untrue. I felt that silence was the best response.”
The Decision to Reject Silence
San Gum explained that his decision to break his silence was driven by the overwhelming level of public discourse surrounding the matter. He articulated his initial reluctance to engage with false narratives, fearing that attempting to refute them might lead to misstatements that would only escalate the situation.
“If these things are untrue, why bother arguing? I worried that if I argued and misspoke, it would create more problems to deal with,” he explained.
He acknowledged that he had initially planned to let the audience and time be the judges of the situation. However, the relentless and increasing volume of public conjecture forced his hand.
In his live broadcast, San Gum also addressed another specific rumor regarding his academic life. He clarified that while he had received an offer of admission to the prestigious Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (APA), he ultimately did not matriculate, debunking claims that he was a current or former student there.
Launching a New Era of Talent
The successful launch of ZPOT marks a significant moment for the reality competition franchise, highlighting the rigorous standards and intense public scrutiny placed on new celebrity debuts. While the controversy surrounding the excluded members continues to simmer, the group is expected to dive immediately into promotional activities, aiming to solidify their presence in the highly competitive Cantopop market.
The episode underscores the high-stakes nature of idol selection in the digital age, where past actions—real or rumored—are instantly amplified by social media, often overshadowing the talent of the debuting artists themselves. For ZPOT, the immediate challenge will be redirecting fan focus from offstage drama to their musical output.
