"CEO's Eldest Daughter Urges 'Vote When Auditioning'...Company Emergency Notice Sparks Talk"

Received email with voting instructions
Complaints of stress due to notifications even on holidays

A company internal notice encouraging employees to vote for the CEO's daughter participating in an audition program has sparked controversy.

"Playing the theme song loudly in the break room and urging votes even on holidays... Stressful"

A netizen claimed to have received an internal company email asking to vote because the CEO's daughter participated in Mnet audition program 'I-LAND 2'.
[Image source=Online community capture]

On the 9th, posts containing an internal company notice and the title "Mnet 'I-LAND 2: N/a' (I-LAND 2) Power Abuse Incident" were shared across various online communities. A netizen claiming to work at a small-to-medium enterprise revealed an email sent by the company's general affairs department titled "Urgent Notice to Employees." The email stated, "Ms. B, the eldest daughter of CEO A, is currently appearing on WAKEONE's idol audition program 'I-LAND 2' airing on Mnet," and requested, "We ask all employees to participate in the audition voting to support Ms. B's smooth broadcast progress."

The netizen who disclosed this said, "Playing the theme song of that program loudly in the company break room as promotion is very distracting during work," adding, "All the employees are complaining about it, and even on holidays, emails with the same content kept coming. I have no interest in someone else's family matters, but the constant emails are stressful." They also shared an email received on Children's Day, May 5.

Instructions on how to download the app and vote... Netizens debate 'Power Abuse' vs. 'Just for Fun'

A netizen claimed to have received an internal email asking to vote for the daughter of a franchise owner who participated in Mnet's audition program 'I-LAND 2'. [Image source=Online community capture]

Claims also emerged that similar notices were issued at another company. A notice from another company's management department on the 3rd stated, "Ms. C, the child of a certain dealership owner, is appearing on the audition program I-LAND 2 on Mnet," and requested, "We ask all employees to participate in the audition voting to support Ms. C's debut." This notice was sent to all employees. The voting period was from the day the notice was issued until the 12th, and the management department urged, "Please vote once a day." They also provided detailed instructions on how to download the Mnet application, register as a member, and participate in voting.

After these internal notices were made public, netizens criticized them as 'internal power abuse.' Comments included, "Using the position of CEO or president to involve employees in personal matters," "This is not a personal favor but a notice that crossed the line," and "There should be a clear distinction between work and personal matters." However, some responded, "Isn't it okay to vote just for fun?" and "This reveals their usual behavior. If they were a good person, employees would probably vote happily."

Meanwhile, 'I-LAND 2' is a new girl group production audition program on Mnet, produced by Teddy, known for producing Big Bang, 2NE1, and BLACKPINK, which premiered on the 18th of last month. The first season last year produced the boy group ENHYPEN. Among 24 participants, 12 who will debut are decided through voting and other factors. Although passing is not determined solely by voting, it is considered a decisive factor for joining the debut group. The first elimination is expected to occur in episode 4, airing on the 10th.