'Queendom 2' Update: Mnet Unveils Position on LOONA's Absence + New Scoring System
How will LOONA be scored for the first round amid absence due to COVID-19? Mnet released their official statement, revealing new scoring system.
In March, the K-pop industry once again entered the "red alert" status following numerous K-pop idols and celebrities tested positive for the novel coronavirus. As a result, broadcasts also suffered.
Among highly anticipated shows is Mnet's "Queendom 2," where multi-membered girl group LOONA are participating.
Unfortunately, the members excluding HyunJin were confirmed to have COVID-19 ahead of the first stage pre-recording.
#DELAYQUEENDOM: Mnet Releases Official Statement, Clarifies 'Queendom 2' Premiere Will Air as Scheduled
On February 28, #DELAYQUEENDOM trended on Twitter after the announcement that LOONA wouldn't be able to join the first round recording due to COVID-19.
As a result, Korean media outlet JoyNews24 sought Mnet's response in regard to what would happen to the show.
Mnet then told the outlet on March 3:
"First of all, 'Queendom 2' will film with an internal policy of 'all competitions will be held without postponement."
ALSO READ: #DELAYQUEENDOM Trends After News of LOONA, WSJN Members' Absence on Show's Premiere – What Happened?
"We apologize for the absence of LOONA in the first competition due to the confirmation of COVID-19. However, it is just right for the competition to proceed as scheduled for the other five teams of artists and fans who visited the site."
Due to this, the recording of the upcoming "Queendom 2" will proceed as scheduled without any change to maintain fairness, regardless of any groups who will test positive in the future.
Mnet Reveals New Scoring System In Line with COVID-19 – What Will Happen to LOONA's Score?
It was initially known that the final score of "Queendom 2" would be determined by summing up the results of a total of four stages, and 10% of the on-site audience voting score of the first stage will be reflected.
Unfortunately, LOONA wasn't able to attend; thus, they cannot take this score.
However, in the case of "digital evaluation," which is counted by video platform figures, the first stage of LOONA's first contest will go on as scheduled.
Also, as soon as the members recover, the first stage with the audience, particularly Orbits (LOONA fandom) will be held belatedly in a fair environment, along with five members of judge panels.
Mnet stated, "We will try to be as fair as possible, such as reflecting the girl's evaluation from the time of the broadcast."
This new alternative scoring system will not only be applicable to LOONA; but in the future, this will also be implemented by other groups if they will fail to attend the broadcast due to COVID-19.
"This is also an issue shared and agreed in advance by the production team of 'Queendom 2' and six artist agencies before the first competition," Joynews24 highlighted.
"Queendom 2" is a comeback survival program in which six K-pop female acts compete. The first broadcast will proceed as scheduled on March 31 at 9:20 p.m. KST.
READ MORE: 'Queendom 2' Lineup — Mnet Reveals Female Artists Participating in Competition Show
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Written by Eunice Dawson
