Producer Of Mnet’s “Queendom Puzzle” Clears Up Why They Didn’t Edit Lee Chaeyeon And LABOUM’s Haein Out Of The Show

Mnet‘s survival show, Queendom Puzzle, is gaining popularity even before its first episode aired.

| Mnet

Queendom Puzzle is an audition program where 26 existing K-Pop girl group members or solo artists form the best combination like “a puzzle.” The girl-group members will mix and perform with members outside their groups to compete for a spot in a seven-member project group that will be active after the show.

| Mnet

When the teasers for Queendom Puzzle were released, netizens were angered at Mnet’s “evil editing”—especially regarding Lee Chaeyeon and LABOUM‘s Haein. In May, it was reported that the two would drop out of the show due, even though they already filmed the first episode.

Lee Chaeyeon | @chaestival_/Instagram LABOUM’s Haein | @hhae_in_/Instagram

Netizens criticized Mnet for how they used Lee Chaeyeon in the teaser as part of their infamous “evil editing,” which strategically uses footage to create drama—while at the same time excluding Haein in the teaser.

[#퀸덤퍼즐/예고] "예의는 살짝 버리도록 하겠습니다" 지금까지 없었던 '새로운 조합'이 시작된다!

Full ver.https://t.co/BgdmYv8KWH

걸그룹 최상의 조합을 완성하라! #Mnet 〈퀸덤퍼즐〉
6월 13일 (화) 밤 10시 첫 방송
6.13 (TUE) 10PM (KST) #QUEENDOMPUZZLE #퀸덤 #엠넷 pic.twitter.com/gbXVKTNlaK

— Mnet (@MnetKR) June 2, 2023

On the afternoon of June 13, there was a press conference for Queendom Puzzle held at the HW Convention in Jongnu-gu with all the contestants, the producer, and the MC, Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon.

All 24 contestants of “Queendom Puzzle” with Taeyeon | iMBC

At the press conference, producer Lee Yeon Kyu first clarified why they could not reveal why they dropped out.

It is difficult to tell you here because it is their personal reason as artists.

— Producer Lee Yeon Kyu

Producer Lee Yeon Kyu | News10

In response to not editing out Lee Chaeyeon and Haein, the producer stated that it was an act of courtesy.

Not only Chaeyeon, but Haein prepared a lot for this stage and they filmed for a long time. So I thought it was courtesy to the artists to show their portions. All the footage before they dropped out will be broadcasted.

— Producer Lee Yeon Kyu

Meanwhile, the female artists who are participating in Queendom Puzzle include members of MOMOLAND, WJSN, Weki Meki, Cherry Bullet, Purple Kiss, Rocket Punch, Triple S, Weeekly, AOA, and more. Queendom Puzzle will premiere on Mnet at 10 p.m. KST on June 13.