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 were one of the acts to face the viewing public and judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli.
They were praised by the panel for their slick performance, with Amanda describing the group as ‘box ready’.
The audience at home was quick to take to social media to point out the boyband had already had some success in Korea, where they were formed by record label Wuzo Entertainment in 2021.
Viewers also hit out at other acts, including cheerleaders Lady Grenades who have travelled the world to compete in international competitions, while noting a minimal amount of the performers were actually British despite the show’s name.
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
Viewers also hit out at other acts, including cheerleaders Lady Grenades who have travelled the world to compete in international competition
South Korean Blitzers band were one of the acts to face the viewing public and judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli
Blitzers’ first EP Check-In reached number 12 in the Korean charts that same year, with their second, Seat-Belt, getting to number 11 just five months later, and their third, reaching Win-Dow in 2022.
They have also released five singles in Korea and had songs featured on two soundtracks.
The fact the group were so highly praised by the judges left some viewers less than impressed, with many taking to social media to express their frustration.
One person wrote on Twitter: ‘Amanda: You seem box ready. Errrr… that’s because they are. Blitzer are an established K-Pop group who have already enjoyed success. No issue with them using the show to reach UK audiences, but please don’t have the judges pretend they don’t know
While someone else shared: ‘Is this K-pop band a professional act already in their own country? Seem far too slick and professional alongside the other acts. Not my thing at all. But I can see they are going to get through.’
‘The blitzers being on is not on they are already famous,’ wrote someone else.
While another viewer asked: ‘Aren’t Blitzers already a very successful k-pop band in Korea?’
Someone else queried: ‘These K-pop seem like more industry 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 first EP Check-In reached number 12 in the Korean charts that same year
Elsewhere, viewers noted that cheerleaders Lady Grenades were also experienced, having travelled the world to compete in international competitions
The under 18 cheerleading team are part of the Coventry Dynamite Cheerleading collective and last month competed in the USASF cheerleading worlds in Florida
While someone else remarked: ‘This act feels less about showcasing new talent and more about Simon Cowell pushing an established K-pop band onto 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 we will definitely vote for them to get to the final tonight!’
Blitzers, aged between 19 and 22, opted to perform their own version of Shawn Mendes’s There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back despite having their own music, and ended up wowing the judges during their first audition earlier in the series.
The first ever K-pop band to feature on the British talent show got four yeses from the judges and will head into the next round.
But BGT viewers took to social media at the time to vent their frustrations after finding out that the band have already found international fame – as well questioning why non-British acts are allowed on the show.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, they said: ‘Why are Blitzers applying for fame on BGT?. They already have been a singing group according to You Tube. Something isnt right,’;
‘Given they are a professional boyband I guess they should be, I’m kinda fed up with all these professionals get back to basics where are the Paul Potts and Susan Boyles etc,’;
‘#BGT big in Korea and want to bring it to the UK….mmmmm…..Stinks of Simon bringing them over as his Kpop 1 direction.’
The audience at home was quick to take to social media to point out K-pop boyband Blitzers had already had some success in Korea
Elsewhere, viewers noted that cheerleaders Lady Grenades were also experienced, having travelled the world to compete in international competitions.
The under 18 cheerleading team are part of the Coventry Dynamite Cheerleading collective and last month competed in the USASF cheerleading worlds in Florida.
A statement on their website reads: ‘Each year we have teams that compete at the Summit and the USASF cheerleading worlds in Florida. We have an excellent national and international reputation with many of our coaches and athletes involved in the national cheerleading team “Team England”.’
They also have an online store on the site where they sell merchandise.
A viewer noted: ‘Oh, so Lady Grenades are pros too?’
Elsewhere viewers complained about there being too many acts from countries outside of the UK.
Many called for the show to be overhauled to feature more UK-based performers, stating its name of Britain’s Got Talent is now pointless.
One person wrote on Twitter: ‘Just got home guys, did we have any BRITISH acts today? LMFAO.’
Elsewhere viewers complained about there being too many acts from countries outside of the UK (Japanese dance group Haribow pictured)
Many called for the show to be overhauled to feature more UK-based performers, stating its name of Britain’s Got Talent is now pointless (Japanese dance group Haribow pictured)
Someone else posted: ‘Hahaha the only good ones are those that.. uhhm… are not British.’
While another person shared: ‘Oh look. Another British act. Not… How many international acts tonight have there been? This is getting silly now.’
‘Britain’s Got Talent ain’t even British people. Last few acts, Japanese, Italian, Jamaican wtf. Pointless calling it Britain’s Got Talent,’ wrote another viewer.
Someone else commented: ‘I love #BGT, but this year I am wondering just how many of the finalist are/will be actually #British… I’m not knocking the talent at all, just the fact that no one is british! #entertainment #tv maybe it’s not important, I’d be interested in others views? #bgt.’
Another viewer noted: ‘The good thing about Jack the magician is… he’s British!!!!!!!! YAY!’
While someone else shared: ‘Some fantastic talent on #BGT but why allow acts from outside of the UK when the show is called BRITAIN’s got talent? Either let’s see British talent only or rename the show the WORLD’s got talent.’
One person wrote on Twitter: ‘Just got home guys, did we have any BRITISH acts today?’
A BGT spokesperson previously explained the inclusion of international acts to MailOnline.
They said: ‘Britain’s got talent features a range of home-grown talent, alongside some overseas acts.
‘It’s a testament to the international success of past acts such as Susan Boyle and Paul Potts that overseas acts want to audition for the UK show.’
Britain’s Got Talent live semi-finals will air each day until Friday at 8pm, with Sunday’s final at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.