JYP Entertainment‘s new girl group Twice has finally finalized its members after the last episode of survival show “Sixteen” which aired on July 7.

However, criticism arose when Momo, a trainee who was eliminated in the third mission, was ultimately added to the final lineup on the last episode. Viewers questioned JYP’s decision to add her to the group, despite her elimination on the show.

On the show, producer Park Jin Young called up Tzuyu and Momo as additional members of Twice. Tzuyu earned the most audience votes prior to the episode. On Momo’s addition, Park Jin Young explained, “I chose someone who will bring what the other eight members do not have. I’ve chosen Momo, who will bring great dance skills as well as vocals.”

A representative from JYP also told the press on July 8, “Momo is exceptional in dance and performance. We believed that she will be a great addition to really complete Twice.” They further explained, “Park Jin Young decided on [including Momo] yesterday, after he thought of the best member for Twice. We only went into the show knowing the major seven members; Twice wasn’t supposed to be a seven-member group.”

A representative from Mnet explained, “The formation of the group is entirely up to JYP Entertainment. The production team of the show didn’t know who the final members were going to be until Park Jin Young’s announcement.”

Twice’s final nine members will be Jihyo, Nayeon, Jungyeon, Sana, Momo, Mina, Tzuyu, Dahyun, and Chaeyoung. They are planning on debuting later this year.

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