Mnet's "Queendom Puzzle" sparked negative feedback from media and fans for "using" Lee Chaeyeon to hype the program, even after she has departed from the show. Here's what happened.
Lee Chaeyeon Raises Anticipation for Queendom Puzzle... Only to Leave the Show
Recently, Mnet's new female idol survival program, "Queendom Puzzle," began its journey of creating a project girl group by matching existing female idols like puzzles.
The season is a spin-off of Mnet's "Queendom" Season 1, which featured MAMAMOO, AOA, (G)I-DLE, Lovelyz, Oh My Girl, and Park Bom.
Due to the first season's popularity, it was followed by male counterparts, "Road to Kingdom" and "Kingdom: Legendary War," as well as "Queendom" Season 2 featuring Brave Girls, VIVIZ, WJSN, LOONA, Kep1er and Hyolyn.
As a result of the preceding seasons, expectation is high for the new installment, which features 28 female artists led by MC and Girls' Generation leader Taeyeon.
Among the contestants, Lee Chaeyeon made numerous headlines for confirming her participation, which would've been her fifth survival program.
ALSO READ: Chaeyeon Responds To Comment She's 'Less Popular' As Soloist Compared To When She Was in IZ*ONE
Lee Chaeyeon made her name familiar in the music scene by joining SBS "K-pop Star" Season 3, Mnet's "Sixteen," and "Produce 48." She finally debuted as an idol after her third show and made waves as IZ*ONE's main dancer.
After the latter's disbandment, she debuted as a soloist and showed focus on her dance career by joining "Street Woman Fighter."
At the time, the "Queendom Puzzle" became a hot topic, thanks to Lee Chaeyeon. However, amid high expectations, the idol once again made a buzz after it was reported that she left the program ahead of premiere.
When the report was made, numerous speculations about why she left were made, but Mnet only cited that it was due to "personal reasons" and told fans that they would release all footage of the idol without editing to show "maximum courtesy to the artist."
Queendom Puzzle 'Used' Lee Chaeyeon as 'Success Card of Show? K-Media Reacts
However, in the first episode of "Queendom Puzzle," Lee Chaeyeon, who initially showed the desire to express her stronger and braver side in the teasers, did not seem to be portrayed in a good light.
The show negatively edited Chaeyeon voting "one step down" to other participants and even giving "sour" reactions after finishing her stage.
As if the aforementioned weren't enough, the "KNOCK" singer's departure was also made into such a "big deal" of a situation, and "excessively" used it to capture viewers' attention.
In fact, the announcement, "I have bad news. As of today, Lee Chaeyeon will get off," was used in the trailer for the next episode in the latter part of the first episode, and it was once again used for the Episode 3 trailer.
In response to this, the Korean media outlet TVReport wrote:
"They say it was a choice to hold onto the viewers, but it was definitely too much.
[...] No matter how much the top issue maker is, it seems excessive to place Lee Chae-yeon's departure in the trailer for the second consecutive time.
Lee Chaeyeon has already dropped out. It is time to let go of Lee Chaeyeon for "maximum courtesy for the artist." In the future, it will be necessary to use a card other than Lee Chaeyeon to aim for the success of the program."
What do you think of this situation? Tell us in the comments!
READ MORE: Mnet Under Fire For 'Evil Editing' Lee Chaeyeon in 'Queendom Puzzle' Trailer
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Written by Eunice Dawson.
