Disbandments, Departures And More: Popular Agency’s Mixed and Troubling Signals Leave Fans Stressed And Confused

The company reportedly did not pay its employees.
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Those familiar with MLD Entertainment likely know it as the company that debuted MOMOLAND after its establishment in 2015. A subsidiary of Duble Kick Entertainment, MLD has since expanded, debuting multiple groups since then.

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MOMOLAND

However, the company’s recent activities have sparked some major confusion among fans of the label’s groups.

First, the label’s first boy group, TFN, disbanded in February 2024 after just three years of activities.

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| SBS

In July 2024, it was reported that the company was in dire financial trouble, reportedly losing all but five of its employees due to unpaid wages. It was also reported that MLD Entertainment’s CEO, Lee Hyeong Jin, was staying in the Philippines to focus on HORI7ON’s activities.

MLD Entertainment Loses Majority Of Its Employees Due To Unpaid Wages

Around this time, fans noticed that the trademark for LAPILLUS had yet to be renewed, sparking fears. These trademarks are currently still listed as abandoned in the Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service database.

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LAPILLUS | Osen
Screenshot 2024-11-12 at 12.58.43 PM
| Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service

In mid-November 2024, MLD Entertainment’s website went down, and though it was soon back up, this was reported along with the news of one of the agency’s choreographers’ departure.

 

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During a live stream on November 10, former TAN member Lee Jaejun shared that he was no longer under MLD Entertainment. He also explained why there were no further activities of In A Minute, a trio consisting of Jaejun, Juntae and Hyunyeop, following their first fan meeting in October.

He stated that it would be best to have the activities under a “proper company,” mentioning that Hyunyeop was signed under another company and that he would work hard if it seemed like their hiatus would be too long. (starting from 1:11)

First of all, I’m not signed with a company right now, but Hyunyeop is. And because we think it’s for the best for everyone that we go through it with a proper company, we’re waiting it out for now. We’re waiting, and there has been optimistic talk about it all. We went back and forth, talking about it here and there. But what I’m saying is, if it looks like it’ll be delayed too indefinitely, I’m going to work harder on my own and see if I can sort it out myself. I think things will be sorted out within a week or two.

— Jaejun

While it is assumed these signs would mean trouble for LAPILLUS, the group is currently active in Japan holding performances til the beginning of December. LAPILLUS also shared that fans would see them “in a few months,” hinting at a comeback, their first in over 510 days.

However, this has left fans confused as they consider MLD Entertainment’s situation, while hoping for the best for the groups under the label.

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