Vladislav Ivanov, who pleaded with fans to kick him off the show, became trapped due to his popularity.
After nearly three months of taking part in a Chinese reality show he didn't want to be a part of, the Russian contestant has been voted out of the competition.
Vladislav Ivanov joined 'Produce Camp 2021' as a Chinese translator, but after the directors of the show noticed his handsome looks, they asked him whether he would like to take part in the competition instead. The 27-year-old, who speaks Mandarin, said during the show: "They asked if I’d like to try a new life."
Unfortunately for him however, Ivanov became a major success on the talent series. 'Produce Camp 2021' is influenced by similar South Korean K-Pop TV shows, and sees potential winners battle it out to get to the final, where they will form a new boy band.
Taking up the stage name of Lelush, he ended up making it all of the way to the final, which aired at the weekend. Throughout filming, he urged the public to vote him out, saying he did not want to be part of the 11 winners of the show, who are contractually obliged to form a boy band.
Pleading to the viewers and the audience, he said: "Becoming a member of a boy band is not my dream as I can’t sing and dance. I hope the judges won’t support me. While the others want to get an A, I want to get an F as it stands for freedom."
Should Ivanov have attempted to leave the competition of his own accord, he would be forced to pay a hefty fine.
According to The Guardian, fans called him "the most miserable wage slave", and celebrated his defeatist attitude.
On the Chinese social media website Weibo, following his result in the competition, Vladislav Ivanov said: "I’m finally getting off work."
Here's his recent performance on 'Produce Camp 2021'.
