Japanese trainee, Kazuma Mitchell, known as Kazuma or He Ma in China, announced his withdrawal from Tencent’s current survival show, “CHUANG 2021” on March 8. The news comes as a sudden shock to fans as he was still filming the show on March 7. Rumors started circulating on March 7 at night that there would be trainees withdrawing from the show. Many names were mentioned, including Kazuma and his AVEX labelmates, Mika, Caelan, Santa, and Rikimaru. However, only Mika’s rumor turned out to be true. Mika, Caelan, Santa, and Rikimaru’s fan clubs later issued statements denying the rumors their idols were quitting the show.
Kazuma uploaded a video on his Weibo account around 6pm China Standard Time on March 8 and explained his reasons for leaving the show. He revealed, “I have communicated with the program staff and my company, but due to family issues, I will, unfortunately, have to leave the show.” Kazuma said he will continue to pursue his dreams and come back to China. He thanked his fans for all the support and apologized to his group mates, Mika and Caelan, for leaving earlier and hoped fans would continue supporting them and the other trainees.
Kazuma’s explanation: https://weibo.com/tv/show/1034:4612533391130689?from=old_pc_videoshow
“CHUANG 2021” Trainee, Kazuma, Gets Warm Send Off from Fans, Promises He Will Return to China
The official “CHUANG 2021” Weibo account left a comment on Kazuma’s video, saying, “Without the starfish goose’s accompaniment on your journey ahead, you must also jiayou! Your brothers will bring your dreams with them to continue moving forward. Looking forward to a sparkling encounter on a larger stage in the future. Starfish goose will also jiayou for you forever!”
Originally hailing from New York, Kazuma moved to Tokyo with his family when he was 8 years old. He debuted in 2018 as a member of the Japan based group INTERSECTION. He was accepted into Harvard for the 2018 semester. He took a gap year from his studies due to the pandemic and took this opportunity to participate in “CHUANG 2021”.
Kazuma was one of the hot favorite trainees despite not having much screen time. His fans, especially from China, have been working nonstop pooling time, effort, and resources to get him in the top 11. Since the show aired on February 17, in both times the show released the official rankings, Kazuma was placed in 6th on February 25, and 4th on March 4.
Will he continue his studies at Harvard? Hope all is well with his family!