[ASKKPOP] JYP Entertainment further explain their decision to add Momo and Tzuyu

As soon asJYP Entertainment's final nine members forTWICEwere officially decided upon during the last episode of 'SIXTEEN', there has been mixed opinion and controversy regarding the chosen members, especially because two of the members were previously eliminated.

JYP Entertainment had released a short statement regarding the decision to addMomointo the group, but they have now issued an official statement due to the growing backlash from viewers who asked what the point of a survival competition was if they were going to add in members who were previously eliminated.

JYP Entertainment stated through a PR release:

We want to give deep thanks to all of the viewers who wanted 'SIXTEEN'. We apologize for not completely communicating the method of selection during the final episode last night. We will explain now in detail.

In this program, the finalized members were chosen through the votes of JYP officials, viewers, and audience, who have watched the contestants perform and improve.

But before the final episode, it was thought that the viewers as well as producer J.Y. Park would feel regretful if only the 7 members picked this way were to be finalized. And so it was decided that one member would be added from viewer's opinions (Tzuyu) and one from J.Y. Park's opinion (Momo).

We humbly accept the various criticism received from not properly explaining the selection process of deciding on the seven officially chosen members and the two specially chosen members.

We hope that you will kindly understand that we were trying to coordinate both the broadcast station and the agency's individual goals, while trying to attempt a new method of cooperating with viewers on a closer level, so we were lacking in some aspects.We will work hard to show more satisfactory results at the next opportunity.