Singer 2025's eighth episode delivered a significant rebound in ratings, widely attributed to the impactful performances of its two new challengers. Yet, beneath the surface of renewed viewer interest lay a wave of audience dissatisfaction. The elimination of established acts Zhe Lainü (者来女) and Mars Radio sparked debate, overshadowing the musical achievements and highlighting several recurring criticisms about the show's format and execution. These concerns range from confusing role definitions for new singers to perceived inconsistencies in elimination timing and the overall fairness of contestant retention.
Contestant Roles Spark Confusion
The distinction between "Challenge Singers" and "Replacement Singers" has become a significant point of contention. Historically, Singer reserved the "Replacement Singer" slot for major, established stars – exemplified in Singer 2024 by the arrival of Sun Nan (孙楠). Episode 8's introduction of the relatively unknown band Mars Radio as "Replacement Singers," juxtaposed with the seasoned and popular Li Jiawei (李佳薇) entering as a "Challenge Singer," felt jarringly reversed to many viewers.
The core frustration lies in the perceived downgrade: "Replacement Singers" join directly as permanent contestants, while "Challenge Singers" like Li Jiawei must win a sing-off for that privilege. This season's choices have led to widespread criticism that the caliber of both new singer categories has significantly declined, undermining the prestige traditionally associated with the Singer stage.
Elimination Timing Raises Eyebrows
The departures of Ma Jiaqi (马嘉祺) and Zhe Lainü have been met with particular skepticism regarding their timing. Both were eliminated immediately following what audiences widely considered their strongest performances to date. Zhe Lainü, despite facing criticism in earlier rounds labeled "off-key" by some online commentators, delivered a performance in Episode 8 praised for its vocal control and song choice suitability. Her elimination felt incongruous with this clear upward trajectory.
Similarly, Ma Jiaqi exited the competition after showcasing his most confident and technically proficient stage presence. This pattern has fueled speculation that elimination decisions are predetermined, following a pre-set schedule irrespective of actual performance quality or audience reception in any given week, eroding the sense of a merit-based competition.
New Order, Shifting Fortunes
The arrival of Li Jiawei and Mars Radio, combined with the controversial exits, has reshuffled the competitive landscape for the remaining five contestants. Li Jiawei's powerful debut immediately positions her as a major contender, casting doubt on Shan Yichun's (单依纯) ability to consistently secure top placements. Audience commentary suggests fatigue with Shan Yichun's signature style – a highly polished, emotionally intense ballad approach relying heavily on vocal embellishment. Critics note a lack of evolution in her performances, predicting difficulty in reclaiming the top spot against fresher or more versatile competition.
Conversely, Chen Chusheng's (陈楚生) strategic shift in Episode 8 marked a significant departure. Moving beyond his familiar guitar-accompanied, standing delivery, he embraced a different musical style and stage dynamic, explicitly stepping outside his comfort zone. This bold reinvention, widely praised by viewers, has solidified his status as the clear frontrunner.
With Lin Zhixuan's (林志炫) unexpectedly brief tenure (only two episodes despite high initial expectations, often placing low), the path to the championship now appears wide open for Chen Chusheng. His consistent delivery and willingness to experiment make him the overwhelming favorite unless Lin Zhixuan makes a surprise return. The stage is set for a compelling final stretch defined by Li Jiawei's challenge and Chen Chusheng's potential coronation.
Additional Criticisms
Further viewer grievances include the perceived lack of transparency and utility surrounding the official "Challenge Singer" voting mechanism. A highly publicized fan vote initially suggested artists like Wang Rong (王蓉), He Jie (何洁), and Zhao Lu (赵露) were frontrunners. However, none materialized on the show, leading to accusations that the vote was merely a tactic to generate hype and engage fans without any real impact on casting decisions, damaging the mechanism's credibility.
Additionally, the duration certain contestants remained on the show despite perceived weaknesses became a talking point. Ma Jiaqi (5 episodes) and Zhe Lainü (4 episodes), both subjects of significant online criticism regarding their suitability or vocal delivery, stayed considerably longer than the acclaimed Lin Zhixuan (only 2 episodes). Even the short-lived Mars Radio managed two episodes.
This inconsistency in contestant retention, seemingly disconnected from audience sentiment or perceived performance level, contributes to the narrative that the competition's internal logic is flawed or manipulated. The combination of these controversies – role confusion, questionable eliminations, voting futility, and inconsistent retention – continues to challenge the show's integrity even as its musical performances captivate viewers.
