TS Entertainment
A defunct South Korean record label and entertainment agency associated with Secret, B.A.P., Sonamoo, TRCNG, and Untouchable.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
TS Entertainment was a South Korean record label and artist-management agency founded in October 2008 by Kim Tae-song. Based in Seoul's Hannam-dong area, the company operated in the idol-pop and broader entertainment market, combining music releases, artist representation, training, group development, and overseas activities. It also established TS Japan in Tokyo in 2011, reflecting the importance of Japan as a market for Korean pop acts during the 2010s. The label began with the hip-hop duo Untouchable, whose debut single, "It's Okay," was released in October 2008. In 2009, TS introduced Secret, a four-member girl group first promoted through the Mnet reality program Secret Story. Secret's debut single, "I Want You Back," followed in October of that year. The group became one of the company's most visible acts and helped establish TS Entertainment as a recognizable mid-sized Korean agency. TS expanded its male-idol portfolio with B.A.P., which debuted in January 2012 after being introduced through the SBS MTV Korea documentary-style program Ta-Dah, It's B.A.P. B.A.P. developed an international following and became the agency's most globally prominent act. The company later launched the girl group Sonamoo in December 2014 and the boy group TRCNG in October 2017. Its roster also included individual performers and sub-unit or solo activities connected with its groups, including Song Ji-eun, Jun Hyo-seong, Han Sun-hwa, Yongguk, Zelo, and other members of Secret and B.A.P. The business became increasingly associated with disputes over artist contracts, management practices, payments, and working conditions. In 2014, all six B.A.P. members sued to end their contracts, alleging unfair terms and profit distribution. The dispute was settled in 2015 and the group returned to the company, but later years brought further litigation and contract conflicts involving Secret members Song Ji-eun and Jun Hyo-seong, Untouchable's Sleepy, Sonamoo members Sumin and Nahyun, and TRCNG members Wooyeop and Taeseon. Former employees and artists also raised allegations concerning unpaid compensation, access to accounting information, workplace treatment, and trainee conditions. TS Entertainment disputed several of the allegations, and the available account does not establish the final legal outcome of every claim. Kim Tae-song died in April 2018. After his death, the company continued to manage some artists, but its roster diminished amid departures and disputes. TS Entertainment was reported to have quietly shut down on January 31, 2021, and its website was deleted. Remaining artist contracts reportedly expired by 2022. The label's legacy is therefore mixed: it played a meaningful role in developing several notable Korean idol acts, particularly Secret and B.A.P., while its later history was dominated by contractual litigation, labor-related complaints, and the eventual end of operations.
History
TS Entertainment was established in October 2008 by Kim Tae-song in Seoul. Its first signed act was the hip-hop duo Untouchable, which released the debut single "It's Okay" in the same month. The agency subsequently entered the idol-group market, debuting the four-member girl group Secret in October 2009. Secret was introduced through Mnet's program Secret Story before releasing "I Want You Back." The group became a central part of the label's identity and commercial activity during the early 2010s. In July 2011, the company created TS Japan in Tokyo. This move gave the agency an overseas base at a time when Korean pop companies were increasingly pursuing Japanese releases, performances, and fan communities. TS Entertainment then launched B.A.P. in January 2012. The six-member boy group was previewed through Ta-Dah, It's B.A.P on SBS MTV Korea and later became the company's most internationally recognized act. B.A.P's development included group releases and individual activities involving members such as Yongguk, Zelo, Daehyun, Youngjae, Jongup, and Himchan. The company continued expanding its roster with the girl group Sonamoo, which debuted on December 29, 2014, and the boy group TRCNG, which debuted on October 10, 2017. TS also managed solo and related activities for performers connected with Secret and Untouchable, including Song Ji-eun, Jun Hyo-seong, Han Sun-hwa, Sleepy, and D.Action. Its business therefore covered recorded music, idol training, group management, promotions, and overseas activities rather than functioning solely as a recording imprint. TS Entertainment's later history was heavily shaped by disputes with artists and staff. On November 27, 2014, B.A.P's six members sued to invalidate their contracts, alleging unfair contractual conditions and distribution of earnings. The agency denied mistreatment and unfair clauses. The parties reached a settlement, and B.A.P returned to the agency on August 1, 2015. The settlement did not prevent later conflicts. Song Ji-eun had pursued arbitration-related action before her departure from Secret and TS Entertainment was reported in 2018. Jun Hyo-seong also filed a civil suit seeking termination and subsequently announced her departure, effectively ending Secret's activities under the agency. In September 2019, Sleepy filed to terminate his contract, saying the company had not supplied payment records or a physical copy of the agreement and that he had not been paid for activities for many years. TS Entertainment denied his account and alleged that he had embezzled funds; Sleepy rejected that accusation. Around the same period, a former employee's complaint regarding overdue payments was reportedly sent from the labor authorities to prosecutors. Sonamoo members Sumin and Nahyun also sought contract termination, while the company said they had stopped communicating with it and announced that the group would continue with five members. In November 2019, TRCNG members Wooyeop and Taeseon submitted notices seeking to terminate their contracts and filed a criminal complaint. They alleged that, while minors, they had endured excessively long practice schedules, poor dormitory conditions, inadequate meals, and physical abuse. The published account presents these as allegations and does not provide a complete final adjudication of every claim. Kim Tae-song died on April 28, 2018. After his death, TS Entertainment continued operating for a period, but multiple departures and disputes reduced its active roster. The company quietly shut down on January 31, 2021, with its website deleted; remaining contracts were reported to have expired by 2022. In 2023, reports that an authentic B.A.P MAMA trophy had appeared at a flea market in the Philippines generated further criticism from fans. The episode became a post-closure controversy surrounding the handling of the agency's former artists' property, although the account does not establish who disposed of the trophy or how it reached the market.
- 2023
Former B.A.P. trophy is reported at a flea market
[1]A genuine B.A.P. MAMA trophy is reportedly found in the Philippines, prompting fan criticism after the agency's closure.
- 2021
Operations end
[1]TS Entertainment reportedly shuts down privately on January 31 and removes its website.
- 2018
Founder Kim Tae-song dies
[1]Kim Tae-song dies on April 28 while the agency's roster remains active.
- 2017
TRCNG debuts
[1]The boy group TRCNG makes its debut on October 10.
- 2015
B.A.P. returns after settlement
[1]The B.A.P. dispute is settled and the members resume work with TS Entertainment.
- 2014
B.A.P. contract dispute begins
[1]The six B.A.P. members file a lawsuit challenging their contracts and alleged profit-distribution arrangements.
- 2014
Sonamoo debuts
[1]TS Entertainment debuts the seven-member girl group Sonamoo on December 29.
- 2012
B.A.P. debuts
[1]B.A.P. launches in January after being introduced through Ta-Dah, It's B.A.P.
- 2011
TS Japan is established
[1]The company establishes a Japanese operation in Tokyo, extending its business beyond South Korea.
- 2009
Secret debuts
[1]The four-member girl group Secret is introduced through Secret Story and releases its debut single, "I Want You Back," in October.
Products and positioning
A Korean idol-focused agency and record label that developed groups across hip-hop, girl-group, and boy-group formats, with additional ambitions in Japan and international K-pop markets.
Hip-hop duo · 2008
Untouchable
Untouchable was TS Entertainment's first signed act. The duo's debut single, "It's Okay," was released in October 2008, at the beginning of the agency's operation. The act represented the label's early connection to Korean hip-hop before the company became more strongly identified with idol groups.
Girl group · 2009
Secret
Secret was a four-member girl group introduced through the Mnet program Secret Story and formally debuted in October 2009 with "I Want You Back." The group was one of TS Entertainment's foundational idol acts and helped establish the agency's profile during the early 2010s. Members later pursued separate departures and contract disputes with the company.
Boy group · 2012
B.A.P.
B.A.P. debuted in January 2012 after being previewed through Ta-Dah, It's B.A.P. The six-member group became TS Entertainment's most internationally visible act and generated group and member-level activities. Its members collectively challenged their contracts in 2014, returned after a settlement in 2015, and later left the agency by 2019.
Girl group · 2014
Sonamoo
Sonamoo was a seven-member girl group that debuted on December 29, 2014. The group formed part of TS Entertainment's second major wave of idol development. Members Sumin and Nahyun later pursued contract termination, while the company stated that the group would continue as a five-member act.
Boy group · 2017
TRCNG
TRCNG debuted on October 10, 2017, as TS Entertainment's later-generation boy group. The group became central to serious allegations about trainee and workplace conditions when members Wooyeop and Taeseon sought to terminate their contracts and filed a criminal complaint in 2019.
Controversies
2019
Sleepy payment and contract dispute
Sleepy alleged that TS Entertainment withheld payment documentation and failed to pay him for activities. The company denied the allegations and made counterclaims of embezzlement, which Sleepy rejected.
2019
Labor complaint over overdue payments
A former employee reportedly complained to labor authorities about overdue payments. The matter was later forwarded to prosecutors.
2019
Sonamoo contract disputes
Sumin and Nahyun sought to terminate their contracts. TS Entertainment said they had cut contact after submitting formal notices and announced that Sonamoo would continue with five members.
2019
TRCNG abuse and working-condition allegations
Wooyeop and Taeseon alleged excessive practice hours, poor dormitory conditions, inadequate meals, and physical abuse while they were minors. They filed contract-termination notices and a criminal complaint against company personnel.
2018
Secret members' contract disputes
Song Ji-eun and Jun Hyo-seong pursued separate actions related to their contracts and later announced departures from TS Entertainment. Their exits effectively ended Secret's activities under the agency.
2014
B.A.P. contract litigation
All six B.A.P. members sued to nullify their contracts, alleging unfair conditions and profit distribution. TS Entertainment denied mistreatment and unfair contractual provisions. The sides settled in 2015, after which the group returned to the agency.
Brand decisions
2021
Closure of the agencyOtherBackground
The label's roster had contracted amid artist departures, lawsuits, and prolonged management disputes.
Action taken
TS Entertainment reportedly shut down privately and deleted its website on January 31.
Aftermath
The remaining artist relationships ended as contracts expired, reportedly by 2022.
2017
Launch of TRCNGProduct launchBackground
The company sought to add another male idol group to its roster.
Action taken
TRCNG debuted on October 10.
Aftermath
The group remained under TS Entertainment until the agency's later shutdown and subsequent contract expirations.
2014
Launch of SonamooProduct launchBackground
TS Entertainment continued developing girl groups after Secret.
Action taken
The agency debuted Sonamoo on December 29.
Aftermath
The group remained associated with the label until the company's final years, although member departures later reduced its active lineup.
2012
Launch of B.A.P.Product launchBackground
Following the agency's early work with Untouchable and Secret, TS Entertainment expanded its idol portfolio with a new boy group.
Action taken
The company debuted B.A.P. in January after previewing the members on Ta-Dah, It's B.A.P.
Aftermath
B.A.P. became the agency's most internationally recognized act and a major part of its public identity.
2011
Establishment of TS JapanStrategyBackground
The company sought a direct presence in Japan, an important overseas market for Korean pop music.
Action taken
TS Entertainment established TS Japan in Tokyo.
Aftermath
The move gave the agency an overseas operating base, although the available sources do not provide separate financial or performance results.
Recent events
Court rules against TS Entertainment in lawsuit against Sleepy[2]
Reported:
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that TS Entertainment, the plaintiff in its damages lawsuit against Sleepy, had lost the case.
Sources2 sources
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