The vote-manipulation scandal of K-pop reality show Produce X 101 continues to snowball. The police have found evidence showing that the final rankings of some of the 11 contestants fans voted into boyband “X1” were rigged. At least two or three winning trainees were added to the group after receiving votes meant for trainees that ultimately lost.
In addition to raids on the CJ ENM-owned broadcasting company Mnet, the police also made raids on three talent agencies, including Starship Entertainment, MBK Entertainment and Woollim Entertainment. The head producer and several staff members of the TV show reportedly have been booked on charges of obstruction of business.
The police have also seized voice recordings found on the phones of staff members discussing vote rigging that took place not only this season but also in the previous three. Hundreds of viewers filed a lawsuit against the broadcaster for fraud in August, as their on-site text voting service charged 100 Korean won (US$0.08) per vote.
Photo courtesy of Givenchy
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(Eddy Chang, Taipei Times)
南韓實境選秀《Produce X 101》票數操控醜聞如雪球般越滾越大，警方上週已查獲證據，顯示由粉絲票選組成男團「X1」的十一位參賽者，其中幾位最終排名的確有造假。至少有兩到三位入選的練習生，因不當獲取原屬於落選者的票數才得以勝出。
警方除了搜查CJ娛樂旗下的Mnet電視台，另外還突襲三家涉案經紀公司，包括Starship娛樂、MBK娛樂和Woollim娛樂。根據媒體報導，該節目的總製作人及某些員工，目前正因「妨礙業務」罪名遭到立案調查。
警方還扣押了員工的電話錄音，當時他們正在談論造假不只在這一季，也曾在前三季發生過。數百名觀眾更在八月控告電視台「詐欺」，因為現場簡訊投票服務每通要收取一百韓元(八美分)。
(台北時報張聖恩)
A: It’s a pity that I can’t go to Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue’s concert. B: Why not? A: Hit Japanese singer Kenshi Yonezu is staging two shows at the Taipei Arena this weekend, and I already bought tickets long ago. B: Wow, isn’t he one of the most popular Japanese singers in recent years? A: And Yonezu’s megahit “Lemon” topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100’s year-end chart in 2018 and 2019 consecutively. A: 我不能去澳洲歌后凱莉米諾的演唱會真可惜。 B: 為什麼？ A: 日本人氣歌手米津玄師週末將在小巨蛋熱唱兩場，我早早就買票啦。 B: 哇他可是日本近年來最紅的歌手之一。 A: 米津的神曲《Lemon》甚至還在2018、2019年連續稱霸告示牌日本單曲榜年度冠軍！ (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪)
A: Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue is set to visit Taiwan for the third time on Saturday. B: I remember that her Taipei concerts in 2008 and 2011 caused a sensation, and I love her megahit “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.” A: This will be her first time performing in the southern city of Kaohsiung. B: Many music critics praise Kylie’s show as “a must-see in your lifetime.” A: Let’s go to Kaohsiung this weekend. A: 澳洲歌后凱莉米諾週六即將三度訪台。 B: 她曾在2008、2011年兩度在台北開唱都造成大轟動，我超愛她的神曲《Can’t Get You Out of My Head》。 A: 這次可是她首度唱進南台灣的高雄呢。 B: 許多樂評家說她的演唱會是「此生必看」！ A: 那我們週末去高雄吧。 （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪）
Donburi, often simply called don, is a beloved Japanese dish that consists of a bowl of steamed rice topped with various other ingredients. The word donburi itself actually means “bowl” in Japanese, but it has come to represent much more than just a vessel. Donburi first emerged during the Edo period (1603–1867) as a quick and convenient meal for busy city dwellers. By the 19th century, donburi had become immensely popular among theater enthusiasts, who often purchased these portable meals to enjoy during long performances. Una-don, a donburi topped with grilled eel, was a particular favorite. Easy-to-carry and satisfying,
The Lemon Festival is a fun annual celebration in Menton, France. This festival began in 1934 and honors the region’s exceptional lemons. __1__ in February during the lemon season, the festival features beautiful floats and sculptures covered with dazzling lemons and oranges. These citrus creations are on display in the bright sunshine throughout the day, while at night, they are lit up and turn the town into a __2__ spectacle. The festival’s origins can be traced back to the late 19th century, when Menton was a major lemon producer. __3__, hotels would decorate their spaces with lemons and oranges
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