Britain’s Got Talent viewers were left fuming during the second live semi-final of the series on Tuesday, as the judges praised already established K-pop band Blitzers.
The South Korean band was among the acts the viewing public and judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli got to see.
They were praised by the panel for their slick performance, with Amanda describing the group as ‘box ready’.
Audiences at home were quick to point out on social media that the boy band had already had some success in Korea, where they were formed in 2021 by record label Wuzo Entertainment.
Viewers also noticed other acts including cheerleaders Lady Grenades who traveled the world to compete in international competitions, noting that a minimal number of the performers were actually British despite the show’s name.
Britain’s Got Talent viewers were left fuming during the series’ second live semi-final on Tuesday, as the judges praised already established K-pop band Blitzers
Viewers also noticed other acts, including cheerleaders Lady Grenades who traveled the world to compete in international competitions
South Korea’s Blitzers band was among the acts the viewing public and judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli got to see
Blitzers’ first EP Check-In reached No. 12 on the Korean charts that same year, while their second, Seat-Belt, reached No. 11 just five months later, and their third, Win-Dow in 2022.
They have also released five singles in Korea and songs on two soundtracks.
The fact that the group was praised so highly by the judges left some viewers less impressed, with many taking to social media to express their frustration.
One person wrote on Twitter: ‘Amanda: You look ready for a box. Errrr… that’s because they are. Blitzer is an established K-Pop group that has already had success. No problem if they use the show to reach the British public, but please don’t let the judges pretend they don’t know
While someone else shared: ‘Is this K-pop band already a professional act in its own country? Seem way too slick and professional next to the other acts. Not my thing at all. But I see them getting through it.”
“The blitzers aren’t there, they’re already famous,” someone else wrote.
While another viewer asked, “Aren’t Blitzers already a very successful k-pop band in Korea?”
Someone else wondered: ‘This K-pop is more like industrial plants. How successful are they in Korea/Asia?’
They were praised by the panel for their slick performance, with Amanda describing the group as ‘box ready’.
Blitzers were formed by record label Wuzo Entertainment in Korea 2021 and the first EP Check-In reached number 12 on the Korean charts that same year.
Elsewhere, viewers noted that Lady Grenades cheerleaders were also experienced, having traveled the world to compete in international competitions.
The under 18 cheerleading team is part of the Coventry Dynamite Cheerleading collective and competed at the USASF Cheerleading Worlds in Florida last month
While someone else commented: ‘This act is less about showcasing new talent and more about Simon Cowell pushing an established K-pop band into the UK market.’
Another viewer who is already a fan of the band wrote: ‘Can all of us k-pop stans or blitzers stans watching agree that we will definitely be voting for them to go to the finals tonight!’
Blitzers, aged between 19 and 22, chose to perform their own version of Shawn Mendes’ There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back despite having their own music, and wowed the judges during their first audition earlier in the series.
The very first K-pop band to be part of the British talent show received four yeses from the jury and will move on to the next round.
But BGT viewers at the time took to social media to express their frustrations after discovering that the band has already achieved international fame – and also questioning why non-British acts are allowed on the show.
On X, formerly Twitter, they wrote: ‘Why do Blitzers ask for fame on BGT? According to You Tube they are already a singing group. Something is wrong’;
‘Since they are a professional boy band I guess they should be, I’m a bit tired of all these professionals going back to basics, where are the Paul Potts and Susan Boyles etc.’;
“#BGT is big in Korea and wants to take it to the UK…mmmmm…Stinks of Simon bringing them over as his Kpop 1 management.”
The audience at home was quick to point out on social media that K-pop boy band Blitzers had already had some success in Korea
Elsewhere, viewers noted that Lady Grenades cheerleaders were also experienced, having traveled the world to compete in international competitions.
The under 18 cheerleading team is part of the Coventry Dynamite Cheerleading collective and competed at the USASF Cheerleading Worlds in Florida last month.
A statement on their website reads: “Every year we have teams compete at the Summit and the USASF cheerleading worlds in Florida. We have an excellent national and international reputation and many of our coaches and athletes are involved in the national cheerleading team “Team England”.’
They also have an online store on the site where they sell merchandise.
One viewer commented: ‘Oh, so Lady Grenades are professionals too?’
Elsewhere, viewers complained that there were too many acts from countries outside the UK.
Many called for an overhaul of the show to include more British performers, and mentioning the name Britain’s Got Talent is now pointless.
One person wrote on Twitter: ‘Just got home guys, did we have any UK acts today? LMFAO.’
Elsewhere, viewers complained there were too many acts from countries outside Britain (Japanese dance group Haribow pictured)
Many called for an overhaul of the show to allow more artists from Britain to perform, with the name Britain’s Got Talent now meaningless (Japanese dance group Haribow pictured)
Someone else posted: ‘Hahaha, the only good ones are the ones who are…uhhm…not British.’
While another person shared: ‘Oh look. Another British action. Not… How many international acts were there tonight? This is getting weird now.”
‘Britain’s Got Talent isn’t even British. Last few acts, Japanese, Italian, Jamaican wtf. There’s no point in calling it Britain’s Got Talent,” wrote another viewer.
Someone else commented: ‘I love #BGT but this year I wonder how many of the finalists are/will actually be #British… No offense to the talent at all, just the fact that no one is British! #entertainment #tv Maybe it’s not important, I’m interested in other people’s opinions? #bgt.’
Another viewer commented: ‘The good thing about Jack the magician is…he’s British!!!!!!!! YES!’
One person wrote on Twitter: ‘Just got home guys, did we have any UK acts today?’
While someone else shared: ‘A fantastic talent on #BGT but why would we allow acts from outside the UK when the show is called BRITAIN’s got talent? Let’s either just feature British talent or rename the show ‘The WORLD’s got talent’.
A spokesperson for BGT previously explained the inclusion of international acts to MailOnline.
They said: ‘Britain’s got talent features a range of homegrown talent, as well as some foreign acts.
‘It is a testament to the international success of past acts such as Susan Boyle and Paul Potts that foreign acts want to audition for the British show.’
