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Russian Man 'Trapped' On Chinese Reality TV Show Finally Voted Out

Russian Man 'Trapped' On Chinese Reality TV Show Finally Voted Out

Vladislav Ivanov had urged viewers to get him out

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

A Russian man who was 'trapped' in a Chinese game show has finally been voted out.

Vladislav Ivanov, from Vladivostok, had urged viewers repeatedly to get him out of the show, titled Produce Camp 2021, for almost three months.

The 27-year-old, who can speak fluent Mandarin, was cast onto the show by accident, having initially signed up as a teacher.

However, producers thought he was good looking and would make a great addition as a contestant.

According to reports, Vladislav immediately regretted the decision but was unable to quit due to the contractual agreement he had signed, which meant that if he was one of the 11 winners, he would have to join a boyband.

Produce Camp 2021/Instagram

The series involved a group of would-be popstars living on a tropical island together, where they had no access to their phones and were put through a series of challenges.

If they wished to leave early, they would have to pay a big fine.

So instead Vladislav, who went by the stage name Lelush, decided to make as little effort as possible, half-heartedly singing and dancing with the other contestants, all of whom wanted to be there much more than him.

But despite his best efforts, he still made it to the final last Saturday (24 April).

According to reports, Vladislav's lacklustre performance ironically made him a hit with fans, many of who felt he represented the 'sang culture', a term used among millennials in China to denote a defeatist attitude to life.

Following his exit, Vladislav celebrated his freedom, writing on his Weibo account: "I'm finally getting off work."

Produce Camp 2021/Instagram

The show's official Instagram account also shared photos of Vladislav on his way home.

The post read: "Lelush is finally going home! He looks super happy indeed."

Yeah, I bet he is.

Speaking previously about his wish to leave the show and go home, Vladislav said he just didn't want to be a popstar.

He told the show: "I originally came here to help my two Japanese friends learn Chinese. The director knew that I can speak Chinese and my appearance is OK.

"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."

Featured Image Credit: Produce Camp 2021/Instagram

Topics: Reality TV, Instagram, Entertainment, Music, Funny, Weird, China, Russia