'Idol School' Announces Final 9, Reveals Girl Group Name

Mnet survival show "Idol School" aired its closing episode on Friday, ending with a final selection of 9 performers who now graduate to a newly-formed K-pop group. The new girl group is named fromis_ (프로미스_). It signifies that the members come "from Idol School' and offers the promise of being the best girl group ever.

The official "Idol School" Twitter feed shared the announcement in image form. It lists the final nine and their photos, as well as the name of the idol group. Here is the official tweet:

The nine "Idol School" winners are: Noh Ji Sun (no. 1), Song Ha Young (no. 2), Lee Sae Rom (no. 3), Lee Chae Young (no. 4), Lee Na Kyung (no. 5), Park Ji Won (no. 6), Lee Seo Yeon (no. 7), Baek Ji Heon (no. 8) and Jang Gyu Ri (no. 9). As the first place finisher, Noh Ji Sun will be positioned as the group's center and she will get a special solo part on the debut track of fromis_, notes Soompi.

AllKpop reports that the CEO of Pledis Entertainment, Han Sung Soo, is stepping in as the producer of the new idol group. He will supervise the girls' training as well as the launch of the group. Pledis currently handles several popular K-pop groups, including Seventeen, Pristin, and NU'EST.

Three of the "Idol Contestants" were former JYP Entertainment trainees: Natty, Park Ji Won, and Kim Eun Suh. Natty had gained some public recognition and fan attention after having appeared on two idol survival shows, including JYPE's "Sixteen." But it was not enough to win her the votes to finish in the top 9. Out of the three former JYPE trainees, Park Ji Won was the only one who made it to the "Idol School" winners' circle.