MOMOLAND Reunites After Two Years Under New Agency
Apr 11, 2025
|
According to the music industry, the six members of Momoland recently signed an exclusive contract for team activities with Relationship Entertainment.
Members Hye-bin, Jane, Nayun, Joo-i, Ahin, and Nancy are expected to be with Relationship Entertainment only for Momoland activities. Finally, the six members, who were the entire group, are back together under the name of Momoland.
Since its debut in November 2016, Momoland, which has been loved for its bright and bouncy songs such as 'Boom Bboom', 'BAAM', 'Momahae', and 'I'm So Hot', has completed its seven-year exclusive contract period under the standard contract in 2023, completing its accompanying with MLD Entertainment.
In other words, idol groups have failed to pass the so-called `Magical 7 Years' in which members leave or the team is disbanded within 7 years of their debut. At the time, he did not express a sharp position on whether the team would survive or not, but the industry at the time predicted that it would be difficult to maintain the team due to the scattered members.
Recently, however, as members of different agencies such as Girls' Generation, Black Pink, Apink, Mamamoo, GOT7, and Infinite continue their team activities, Momoland also decided to continue their team activities for the first time in two years, attracting fans.
Attention is also focusing on what activities they will do as Momoland. Hit song stages can be presented at domestic and international performances, and the possibility of releasing a new album is also raised.
However, when singing a previous hit song at a performance, a user fee must be paid to a previous agency that has the right to register or perform and distribute music (master rights). Even if the sound source itself is re-distributed or remade, consent from the previous agency is required.
In addition, the name Momoland cannot be used commercially freely without an agreement or permission to use it because the previous agency registered the trademark. It should also be seen whether the legal issues related to this have been resolved.
In particular, MLD Entertainment, a former agency, is still a legally existing company, but its actual operation has been reduced. Last year, employees' wages were delayed in the face of serious financial difficulties, and some retirees reportedly did not even receive severance pay.
Meanwhile, MLD Entertainment CEO Lee Hyung-jin is currently focusing on his activities in the Philippines, and has been co-producing a local audition program 'Be the Next: 9 Dreamers' with Astro Entertainment since February.
As such, attention is focusing on how Momoland, who started his team's activities by reuniting the whole group, will meet with fans.
rightlight@sportschosun.com
