In 2020, the survival show Road To Kingdom was launched. Road To Kingdom gave seven boy groups a chance to make it to the follow-up show Kingdom and exposed them to a wider audience.
In June 2024, it was announced that Road To Kingdom would return with major changes and feature a new set of boy groups.
Rumored Lineup For Mnet’s “Road To Kingdom 2” Is Released — Netizens Have Mixed Reactions
Included in the line-up is the seven-membered boy group TEMPEST.
TEMPEST debuted in March 2022 with the track “Bad News,” and its lineup included trainees who competed in Produce 101 Season 2 and I-Land.
The group has been confirmed to compete in Road To Kingdom alongside THE NEW SIX, The Crew One (ATBO and JUST B), 8TURN, ONEUS, YOUNITE, and CRAVITY.
[#로드투킹덤 : ACE OF ACE] 사랑받고 싶던 소년, 마침내 가장 뛰어난 ACE가 된다
ROAD TO KINGDOM : ACE OF ACE
2024. 09 COMING SOON#로투킹 #로투킹_A #태민 #더뉴식스 #더크루원 #에잇턴 #원어스 #유나이트 #크래비티 #템페스트 #Mnet #엠넷 pic.twitter.com/oI9OmjXype— Mnet (@MnetKR) August 1, 2024
However, there are some concerns for the group despite their participation in the program.
For one, several members are currently injured. Fans have noticed that member Lew has sat out of fansign dance performances for a while, believed to be related to a possible foot injury, though there has been no information given by the group’s company.
240720 pre
🧸LEW- LIGHT HOUSE
………get well soonஐ☘︎︎#LEW #루 #이의웅 #의웅 #템페스트 #TEMPEST @TPST_twt pic.twitter.com/azhHceKXNn
— 🍀최코(◡‿◡ฺ✿)🍀 (@ai_iE0302) July 21, 2024
Medical privacy, yes I know, but Yuehua needs to speak up. It isn’t normal for a company to entirely not release a statement when a member gets injured. Lew has been sitting out of fansign performances for a couple weeks, and now this??? https://t.co/9j6hSpvRXI
— ⋆˚໑ ꜰʟᴏᴜʀᴇ 𐙚 ˚⋆ (@bxbajxe) July 20, 2024
Members Hyuk and Hyeongseop each had health issues announced on August 1. Hyuk was announced to have suffered a dislocated shoulder requiring him to wear a brace, while Hyeongseop underwent surgery for appendicitis.
Hyeongseop and Hyuk, please get well soon. I hope no one else gets hurt, my heart is broken💔 https://t.co/sILyeJzjme pic.twitter.com/J0JfwmTKHX
— 𝙹𝚎. (@euihyeongje) August 1, 2024
In addition to the three injured members, Hwarang has been on hiatus since March related to a clubbing “controversy” allegedly involving him and multiple idols.
With 4 out of the 7 members currently inactive or dealing with injuries, some fans have expressed concern for their continued activities, including Road To Kingdom.
So you’re telling me HWARANG is on hiatus because of a stalker, LEW has a cast on his foot, HYEONGSEOP had surgery, and HYUK dislocated his shoulder… but no one is protesting for TEMPEST to withdraw from RTK due to overwork and health concerns? This fandom is mad funny wtf https://t.co/SbJ9iTaHmi
— Rosie 7-1=0 (@BlueMoon_Roses_) August 1, 2024
i was never gonna support them on rtk cause it was ot6 but the fact it’s slowly getting worse and worse and we are gaining more reasons for concern and people aren’t speaking out about it is crazy to me https://t.co/eoASSvgUbL
— Ahji || The hero Zenithville needs (@Kwonyejunsluvr) August 3, 2024
IM GONNA BE SICK I FUCKING HATE YUEHUA PROTECT TEMPEST FOR ONCE GOD DAMN IT!!!! AND FREE HWARANG https://t.co/0ZeDWDkOQZ
— Britt x Ateez d-4 (@SeokSiwoo) August 2, 2024
