You know, Jang Keunsuk has hosted "Produce 101" as an MC of the show, and he was loved by many viewers. He is quite a showman, and what he did in the show was ease tensions. He sometimes expressed his affection toward pretty trainees and sometimes gave laughs to viewers with his over action. He acted like the young trainees' friendly oppa, rather than their senior, and that's why the trainees liked him so much.
But, BoA, an MC of "Produce 101" season 2 is quite different from Jang Keunsuk. The female singer, who has been active as a singer for about 20 years and is considered as one of the best female k-pop singer doesn't act like young male trainees' unnie. Instead, she gives advice to them as a professional. And the trainees are obedient what she says because she has great personal charisma and she is the one who is respected by many other k-pop singers.
Actually, before "Produce 101" season 2 began to air, many people in the k-pop industry doubted the program's success for various reasons. First, not a few k-pop agencies didn't want to participated in the program because there have been a lot of problems regarding I.O.I's activities. Second, in 2016, Mnet's another audition program "Boys 24," which was called the male trainee version of "Produce 101" has suffered from low ratings. Third, Mnet wanted to sign a two-year contract with a boy group which will be formed through the program. Fourth, Han Dong Chul, a famous TV producer who's directed many popular TV shows including "Show Me The Money," "Unpretty Rap Star," and "Produce 101" decided to leave Mnet.
But, "Produce 101" season 2 has been successful so far, and people in the Korean entertainment world say in chorus that one reason for the program's success is because BoA is doing a great job in the program.
