rumours are just rumours. If LJK is untalented and being in CNT because of purchasing his spot in the CNT, then it does not explain the fact he is in the WTT ranking top ten. Money can't buy ranking, can it?
Honestly there is barely anyone in the CNT now that doesn't have a rich background. Why is that the case? To not feed the rumors, but back in the days money could buy you favours. Be it more focus from a certain trainer, better training partner, being put in a certain string or even low priority tournaments. However, in the end if you don't produce results that's on you. Everyone is measured by their results in CNT, be it trainer, staff or player. Nobody is staking their reputation on a pile of money at that point anymore.
Imo LJK has different issues, but talent ain't one. Everyone coming from the ZJK, ML, XX, FZD, FB era had problems producing really good results. Heck, even Fang Bo said he was the gatekeeper and kept pushing FZD and LJK down, until he couldn't contain FZD anymore. Somehow he was successful with LJK, but that was not an easy task either.
Before my social credit score goes down, I never implied anyone was paid *cough* *cough*
