How Are Ending Fairies Chosen? NMIXX Gets The Answer From KBS
Since Jung Chaeyeon made “ending fairies” all the rage on Produce 101 seven years ago, they’ve become one of the most anticipated parts of any music show performance. Everyone wants their bias to get a chance at a solo close-up, but who decides who gets picked — and how? In a new video with KBS, NMIXX secured us the answer.
Some ending fairy shots are beautiful…
SULLYOON'S FIRST ENDING FAIRY pic.twitter.com/QJdgqE0gnr
— sullyoon pics (@sullyoonpics) March 3, 2022
… while others are powerful.
not typical idol ending pic.twitter.com/urpgfhdvwK
— (busy) kiddo (@hiikiddo) March 17, 2022
Some are hilarious, like the time ITZY’s Chaeryeong mimed eating Pringles in reference to her viral My Alcohol Diary comment about how proud she is when she finishes a whole can. Then there are the full-scale production ending fairies, like Jisoo’s money shot for “Shut Down” which saw all the members pitch in.
Jisoo’s ending fairy. #JISOO #지수 #블랙핑크지수 pic.twitter.com/OkMit3RITl
— JISOO NEWS 🌹 (@NEWSJISOO) September 25, 2022
Whichever type is your favorite, every fan would pick their favorite idol to be the fairy in question. But, since fans don’t get to make the choice, who does?
In a recent episode of Studio K’s idol version of 2 Days 1 Night, NMIXX’s Haewon, Sullyoon, and Jiwoo decided to find out. When the trio stopped by the KBS Music Bank cinematographer’s office, Haewon was quick to ask the question.
We were curious about something though, about Music Bank. How do you guys decide on the ending fairy?
— NMIXX’s Haewon
The members mused that it might just be someone the cinematographers are drawn to on the day, but KBS’s lead entertainment department cinematographer, Yang Jin Woong, set the record straight with an explanation.
First, he explained, the Music Bank producer comes up with a list of candidates for each group. Next, the senior cinematographer chooses a member to recommend. To make sure they pick the right member, the whole cinematography team then discusses that choice. Finally, on the morning of the show, they make the final decision.
While Haewon’s curiosities were satisfied, she did have one more question:
So, it’s our first show next Friday. Can the three of us be the ending fairies?
— NMIXX’s Haewon
The members boldly showed off their proposed poses…
… and their charms must have worked, because all three stars got their ending close-ups on this week’s “Love Me Like This” performance on Music Bank!
#JIWOO #SULLYOON #HAEWON ending fairies for today’s Love Me Like This stage🧚♀️ pic.twitter.com/4mOvJZxM9i
— nmixx pics (@nmixxpics_) March 24, 2023
While the cinematographers choosing the ending fairy seems to be standard practice on Music Bank, it looks like they sometimes give idols the choice too. Last year, LE SSERAFIM got to pick the ending fairy for one of their “FEARLESS” performances, and they had a very unconventional method for making the decision…
LE SSERAFIM’s Kazuha Spills On How The Group Chooses Their “Ending Fairy”
