'Queendom Puzzle' reveals lineup for project girl group EL7Z UP

Scenes from the final episode of ″Queendom Puzzle″ which aired Tuesday. [MNET]

The seven finalists of cable network Mnet's audition show "Queendom Puzzle" were announced Tuesday.

Hwiseo, Nana, Yuki, Kei, Yeoreum, Yeonhee and Yeeun — from first to seventh place in that order — will form the project girl group EL7Z UP.

EL7Z UP will kick off its official activities with its first album release before the end of the year, followed by planned overseas activities.

The project group will not have a set amount of contract years, unlike other project groups of the cable network, according to Mnet. Details about the group's future activities will be announced later.

The seven winners ranged from younger faces of K-pop, including Yeonhee from Rocket Punch, Nana from Woo!Ah, Purple Kiss's Yuki and Hwiseo, who debuted in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively, and girl group veterans, such as Kei from girl group Lovelyz, Yeoreum from WJSN, and Yeeun, who debuted as a member of CLC in 2015.

"I was happy just to join 'Queendom Puzzle' and get a chance to perform fine stages, so I thank all the fans and viewers who helped me come in first place," Hwiseo, who landed No. 1 after receiving 444,495 votes, said in a press release on Wednesday.

"I've had a valuable experience over the last four months," Nana, the runner-up with 430,450 votes, said.

"I sometimes faced my limits, and I was also able to find what I lacked," she added. "I'll try my best to be someone who's exemplary as the leader of Woo!Ah!"

Suyun, Wooyeon, Jihan, Elly, Juri, Jiwoo and Dohwa, from seventh place to 14th place, did not make it to the final group.

The final episode saw 14 contestants divided into two teams to compete for the final stage. Hwiseo, Yeoreum, Yeeun, Dohwa, Juri, Jiwoo and Hwiseo performed "Last Piece," while Nana, Kei, Yuki, Yeonhee, Jihan, Suyun and Wooyeon performed "Billionaire." Both songs were produced by SM Entertainment's producer Kenzie, known for producing countless hits within and outside the agency.

"Queendom Puzzle," which began airing in June, is the third entry in Mnet's "Queendom" series of idol competition programs.

While the previous seasons saw entire girl groups or solo artists competing with each other, "Queendom Puzzle" featured girl group members and solo artists forming different subunits "like a puzzle" throughout the show to compete for a spot in the project girl group EL7Z UP.

Contestants of the show ranged from members of Weki Meki, Weeekly and tripleS to soloist Dohwa, formerly known as Chanmi from AOA, Miru, a former member of Japanese girl group NMB48, and more.

To find out more about "Queendom: Puzzle," visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]