MLD Entertainment
South Korean entertainment agency and record label known for developing idol groups and managing music and performance talent.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
MLD Entertainment is a South Korean entertainment agency and record label founded in 2015 by the music-production duo known as Duble Sidekick. The company began as Duble Kick Entertainment and initially built its identity around artist development, music production, and the creation of idol groups. Its early breakthrough came through the Mnet survival program Finding Momoland, which selected trainees for a new girl group. The resulting group, Momoland, debuted in 2016 and later became the agency's best-known act, particularly after gaining international attention with its upbeat pop releases and performance-oriented music. The company adopted the name MLD Entertainment in January 2018. During the same period it announced the acquisition of BM Entertainment, R&D Company, and Double HTNE as subsidiaries, signaling an effort to broaden its entertainment and talent-management activities. MLD's business has included artist representation, music recording and release, group development, performance production, and collaborations with overseas partners. MLD also pursued projects designed for cross-border markets. In 2020, it announced an arrangement with NHN Entertainment Corporation and Sony Music for the simultaneous development of a boy group aimed at the United States, Japan, and South Korea. That project produced T1419, which debuted in January 2021 with the EP Before Sunrise Part.1 and was later renamed TFN. The agency also introduced the R&B duo JT&Marcus and signed established or independently recognized performers, including the dance group CocaNButter, singer Lee Seung-chul, and rapper Cheetah. After Momoland's period of prominence, MLD continued to develop new groups. In 2022 it launched Lapillus, its first new girl group since Momoland, and entered a partnership with ABS-CBN and Kamp Global to develop a Filipino boy group through the survival program Dream Maker. The resulting group, Hori7on, debuted in 2023 with the album Friend-Ship and became a major part of the company's international strategy, particularly in relation to the Philippines. The company's recent history has also been marked by roster changes and financial difficulties. The remaining six Momoland members did not renew their contracts in January 2023. TFN was reported to have disbanded in February 2024, while JT&Marcus and CocaNButter later announced their departures from the agency. In 2024, reports also stated that MLD had abandoned Lapillus's trademark after allegedly failing to pay registration fees and that the company had difficulty paying employee wages. These developments reportedly led to substantial staff departures. As of the latest available reference material, MLD Entertainment remains associated with Hori7on and Lapillus, although the scale and continuity of its operations require further verification.
History
MLD Entertainment was established in 2015 as Duble Kick Entertainment by the music producers known as Duble Sidekick. Rather than beginning solely as a conventional record label, the company developed its profile through artist management, music production, and the cultivation of idol trainees. In 2016, the agency collaborated with Mnet on Finding Momoland, a survival program intended to create a new girl group. Seven trainees were selected for the initial lineup, and Momoland released its debut extended play, Welcome To Momoland, on November 10, 2016. The project attracted attention partly because funding for the debut release involved a crowd-funded initiative. Momoland subsequently became the agency's principal commercial success and gained an international audience through its accessible, dance-focused pop music. Duble Kick Entertainment changed its name to MLD Entertainment on January 16, 2018. Later that year, the company announced the acquisition of BM Entertainment, R&D Company, and Double HTNE as subsidiaries. These moves reflected an attempt to expand beyond the management of a single successful idol group and to create a broader entertainment platform. MLD pursued international expansion through a 2020 agreement with NHN Entertainment Corporation and Sony Music. The arrangement was intended to produce a boy group with simultaneous ambitions in the United States, Japan, and South Korea. T1419 debuted on January 11, 2021, with the EP Before Sunrise Part.1 and was later renamed TFN. The agency also expanded its roster with JT&Marcus, an R&B duo whose debut album Dear You was released in October 2021. The company continued signing performers and introducing new projects in 2022. CocaNButter joined under an exclusive contract in January, and singer Lee Seung-chul signed with the agency in April. In May, MLD announced Lapillus, its first new girl group since Momoland. Lapillus released Girl's Round Part.1 in September 2022, supported by the songs Gratata and Burn with Love. MLD's international strategy became especially visible through its partnership with ABS-CBN and Kamp Global, announced in September 2022. The partners developed a Filipino boy group through Dream Maker, a survival program that selected seven members. The group, Hori7on, debuted on July 24, 2023, with Friend-Ship and became a central part of MLD's continuing activities in the Philippines. The agency's roster then contracted. On January 27, 2023, MLD announced that the six remaining Momoland members had not renewed their contracts. Rapper Cheetah signed with the company in April of that year. In February 2024, media reports stated that TFN had disbanded. MLD faced significant operational concerns in 2024. Reports in June said that the agency had abandoned Lapillus's trademark, allegedly because registration fees had not been paid. In July, reports described a financial crisis involving unpaid employee wages and the resignation of most staff, leaving a much smaller workforce. The same reporting said that CEO Lee Hyung-jin was staying in the Philippines to focus on Hori7on's activities. JT&Marcus later announced that it had left MLD, and CocaNButter announced in May 2025 that its exclusive contract had ended. The available reference material continues to associate MLD with Hori7on and Lapillus, but its current corporate scale, roster, and financial condition require verification.
- 2024
Reports highlight financial and operational difficulties
[1]Reports describe unpaid wages, extensive staff departures, and the alleged abandonment of the Lapillus trademark.
- 2023
Hori7on debuts
[1]The Filipino group formed through Dream Maker releases Friend-Ship and debuts under the MLD-led partnership.
- 2022
Lapillus is introduced
[1]MLD announces and debuts Lapillus, its first new girl group since Momoland.
- 2021
T1419 debuts
[1]T1419 debuts with Before Sunrise Part.1 as part of MLD's multinational boy-group strategy.
- 2018
Company adopts the MLD Entertainment name
[1]Duble Kick Entertainment rebrands as MLD Entertainment and announces several subsidiary acquisitions.
- 2016
Finding Momoland creates a new idol group
[1]The Mnet survival program selects trainees for Momoland, which releases its debut EP later that year.
- 2015
Duble Kick Entertainment is founded
[1]Duble Sidekick establishes the entertainment agency that would later become MLD Entertainment.
Products and positioning
South Korean K-pop and entertainment agency with an emphasis on idol-group development, music releases, talent management, and international partnerships.
Girl group · 2016
Momoland
Momoland was formed through the 2016 Mnet survival program Finding Momoland and debuted with the extended play Welcome To Momoland on November 10, 2016. The group became MLD's most prominent early act and developed an international profile through energetic, dance-oriented pop releases.
Boy group · 2021
T1419 / TFN
T1419 was developed through MLD's partnership with NHN Entertainment Corporation and Sony Music as a group intended to operate across South Korea, Japan, and the United States. It debuted in 2021 with Before Sunrise Part.1 and was later renamed TFN. Media reports stated that the group disbanded in 2024.
R&B duo · 2021
JT&Marcus
JT&Marcus is an R&B duo associated with MLD Entertainment. The duo released its debut album Dear You in October 2021. Jaejun later announced that the duo had departed the agency.
Girl group · 2022
Lapillus
Lapillus was announced in 2022 as MLD Entertainment's first new girl group since Momoland. Its extended play Girl's Round Part.1 was released in September 2022 and was supported by Gratata and Burn with Love. Reports in 2024 raised questions about the group's trademark and the company's continuing management arrangements.
Filipino boy group · 2023
Hori7on
Hori7on was created through Dream Maker, a survival program developed through MLD Entertainment's partnership with ABS-CBN and Kamp Global. Seven members were selected, and the group debuted on July 24, 2023, with the album Friend-Ship. Hori7on represents MLD's strongest documented international development initiative.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Dream Maker
Philippines · South Korea
MLD worked with ABS-CBN and Kamp Global on a survival-program project to select and develop a Filipino boy group in South Korea.
Outcome. The seven-member Hori7on debuted in 2023 with Friend-Ship.
- 2016Finding Momoland
South Korea
MLD's predecessor used the Mnet survival program Finding Momoland to select trainees and establish Momoland. The debut project also attracted attention through crowd-funded financing.
Outcome. Momoland debuted in November 2016 and became the company's best-known act.
Brand decisions
2022
Launch LapillusProduct launchBackground
MLD sought to rebuild its girl-group pipeline after Momoland's rise and subsequent roster changes.
Action taken
The agency formed Lapillus and released Girl's Round Part.1 in September 2022.
Aftermath
Later reports questioned the status of Lapillus's trademark and the agency's continuing operations.
2022
Build an international Filipino group through Dream MakerStrategyBackground
MLD pursued a cross-border talent-development model focused on the Philippines and South Korea.
Action taken
It partnered with ABS-CBN and Kamp Global to form and manage a Filipino boy group selected through Dream Maker.
Aftermath
The project produced Hori7on, which debuted in July 2023.
2020
Pursue a multinational boy-group launchStrategyBackground
MLD aimed to create a group with simultaneous reach in the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
Action taken
The agency announced a deal with NHN Entertainment Corporation and Sony Music to develop the project that became T1419, later TFN.
Aftermath
T1419 debuted in 2021, was later renamed TFN, and was reported to have disbanded in 2024.
2018
Rebrand as MLD Entertainment and expand through acquisitionsStrategyBackground
The company sought to broaden its identity beyond Duble Kick Entertainment and expand its entertainment operations.
Action taken
It adopted the MLD Entertainment name and announced acquisitions of BM Entertainment, R&D Company, and Double HTNE.
Aftermath
The rebranded company continued to develop artists, release music, and pursue international partnerships.
Recent events
- 2025
CocaNButter announces end of exclusive contract[1]
Leadership change
CocaNButter announced through an Instagram story that its exclusive contract with MLD Entertainment had ended.
- 2024
TFN reported to have disbanded[1]
Other
Media reports stated that TFN, formerly known as T1419, had disbanded.
- 2024
MLD reportedly abandons Lapillus trademark[1]
Regulation
Reports said that the agency had abandoned the Lapillus trademark, allegedly because registration fees had not been paid.
- 2024
Reports describe financial crisis and employee departures at MLD[1]
Bankruptcy · Leadership change
Reports stated that MLD had been unable to pay employee wages, resulting in the departure of most staff. The reports also said that CEO Lee Hyung-jin was in the Philippines focusing on Hori7on's activities.
- 2024
JT&Marcus announces departure from MLD Entertainment[1]
Leadership change
Jaejun said during an Instagram livestream that the R&B duo JT&Marcus had left MLD Entertainment.
- 2023
Momoland members leave after contracts expire[1]
Leadership change
MLD announced that the six remaining Momoland members did not renew their contracts with the company.
- 2023
Hori7on debuts with Friend-Ship[1]
Product launch
The Filipino group formed through Dream Maker debuted under the MLD partnership with the album Friend-Ship.
- 2022
CocaNButter signs with MLD Entertainment[1]
Leadership change
The dance quartet CocaNButter, known for appearances on Korean dance television programs, signed an exclusive contract with MLD.
- 2022
MLD launches Lapillus[1]
Product launch
MLD announced Lapillus as its first new girl group since Momoland, with the group releasing the extended play Girl's Round Part.1.
- 2022
MLD partners with ABS-CBN and Kamp Global for Filipino boy group[1]
M&A
The agency partnered with ABS-CBN and Kamp Global to develop and manage a Filipino boy group through the Dream Maker survival program.
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Sources1 sources
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