Momoland
| Company type | Girl group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, entertainment |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founder | MLD Entertainment (formerly Duble Kick Company) |
| Defunct | 2023-02-14 |
| Fate | Disbanded; reunited in 2025 under Inyeon Entertainment |
| Successor | Reunion under Inyeon Entertainment (2025) |
| Headquarters | Seoul , South Korea |
Area served | South Korea, Japan, international |
Key people | Hyebin, Yeonwoo, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, Nancy, Daisy, Taeha |
| Products | Music albums and singles (K-pop) |
| Owner | MLD Entertainment (2016–2023), Inyeon Entertainment (2025–present) |
Momoland (, presented in all caps) is a South Korean female idol group established by MLD Entertainment (previously known as Duble Kick Company) through the 2016 reality competition Finding Momoland. The initial seven-member lineup—Hyebin, Yeonwoo, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, and Nancy—made their debut with the mini-album Welcome to Momoland on November 10, 2016. In 2017, the group expanded to nine members with the addition of Daisy and Taeha. Subsequently, Taeha and Yeonwoo departed in 2019, followed by Daisy's exit in 2020. The group officially disbanded on February 14, 2023.[1]
On April 10, 2025, the six remaining members entered exclusive agreements with Inyeon Entertainment to recommence their activities as a group.[2] The agency officially announced these contracts on May 8, 2025, confirming the full-fledged comeback of Momoland featuring Hyebin, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, and Nancy.[3]
2016: Finding Momoland and Debut with Welcome to Momoland
In June 2016, the survival reality show Finding Momoland, produced by Duble Kick Entertainment and aired on Mnet, selected seven members from a pool of ten trainees to prepare for their debut. The group's official launch was postponed after failing to secure an audience of 3,000 during their Final Mission performance. Shortly before debuting, on October 26, 2016, they were appointed as ambassadors for Plan Korea, an international relief and development NGO.
Momoland held their debut showcase on November 9 and released their first extended play Welcome to Momoland on November 10. Their debut single "Jjan! Koong! Kwang!" was performed on M Countdown. The physical album production was financed through a crowdfunding campaign. On December 27, all members except Yeonwoo—who was absent due to back pain—participated in SBS Gayo Daejeon. Earlier in October 2016 they had been named PR ambassadors for Plan Korea and later volunteered in December 2017 at Phuc Luong Village in Vietnam to assist with kindergarten construction and encourage youth involvement.
2017: Expansion with New Members and Releases Wonderful Love and Freeze!
Daisy and Taeha joined Momoland on March 28, 2017, increasing the group's size to nine members. Daisy had previously appeared as a trainee contestant on Finding Momoland. In April of that year, Momoland released their first single album titled Wonderful Love, featuring the title track of the same name. Their second extended play Freeze! was launched on August 22, with its lead single sharing the EP's name.
2018: Breakthrough with Great! and Follow-up Fun to the World
Momoland's third EP Great!, released on January 3, 2018, included the breakout hit "Bboom Bboom". When allegations of plagiarism arose from Russian group Serebro, composer Shinsadong Tiger refuted these claims by emphasizing common genre characteristics rather than direct copying. Early that year, the group conducted promotional events in Tokyo and Osaka including a showcase at Tower Records located in Shibuya.
Their fourth EP titled Fun to the World was unveiled on June 26, featuring "Baam" as its lead single. On August 9, Momoland became the first female group—and only the second act overall—to receive Platinum certification from Gaon Music Chart for streaming "Bboom Bboom". During that summer season they ventured into Japan by releasing Japanese-language versions of "Baam", "Boom Boom", and "I'm So Hot", followed by concerts held in Tokyo and Osaka. They also secured a contract with King Records for distributing albums within the Japanese market.
In mid-2018, Momoland starred in a five-episode reality mini-series titled "Momoland in Saipan," which documented their music video production process in the Northern Mariana Islands; this series aired internationally via KBS World TV and Apple TV. Later that year they participated in the Polish travel-reality program Lepiej późno niż wcale, where they coached contestants in singing and dancing techniques.
Momoland distinguished themselves by innovating music marketing strategies through producing multiple themed music videos per release across various languages—a departure from typical Western approaches—thereby enhancing global digital reach. For instance, their hit "BAAM" showcased diverse cultural imagery across several video formats including dance practices and tutorials delivered in Korean, English, Mandarin, among others by multilingual member Ahin. This multi-video approach helped solidify brand identity while engaging international audiences.
Furthermore, they pioneered "Dance Cover" content within K-pop by recreating choreography of legendary groups such as H.O.T., synchronizing performances with original tracks and costumes to attract nostalgic fans while demonstrating artistic versatility.
2019–2020: Show Me, Chiri Chiri, Thumbs Up, and Member Departures
Momoland unveiled their fifth extended play, Show Me, on March 20, 2019, with the lead track "I'm So Hot". This marked their first release without Daisy and Taeha since the Fun to the World era. Subsequently, on September 4, 2019, they debuted their initial Japanese studio album, Chiri Chiri, which did not include Daisy, Taeha, or Yeonwoo. Shortly after, on October 4, 2019, Momoland and MLD Entertainment entered a co-management agreement with the Philippine media giant ABS-CBN Corporation.
In November of the same year, MLD Entertainment disclosed that both Yeonwoo and Taeha had officially left the group and revealed ongoing discussions regarding Daisy's status. The group then released their second single album titled Thumbs Up on December 30, 2019, headlined by its title song.
Early in 2020, Daisy raised allegations of vote manipulation concerning the show Finding Momoland. MLD Entertainment refuted these claims and initiated legal proceedings. Daisy’s departure was finalized on May 13, 2020.
The group's global recognition expanded markedly through social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube, with members Nancy Jewel McDonie and Ahin playing pivotal roles. Nancy’s American heritage and proficiency in English attracted fans from regions including Australia, North America, and Europe. Ahin’s ability to communicate in multiple languages further extended Momoland’s reach beyond conventional K-pop audiences. This international resonance also elevated visibility for other members like JooE. Despite creative constraints during the 2021–2022 pandemic period, this worldwide engagement presents a unique opportunity for continuous evolution rarely seen in K-pop groups as they mature.
2020–2023: Starry Night, Global Ventures, Ready or Not, Yummy Yummy Love, and Disbandment
On June 11, 2020, Momoland released Starry Night, a special EP that was not actively promoted; its title track shared the same name.
Later that month, on June 29, 2020, the group signed with ICM Partners to facilitate their entry into the United States market.
Their third single album, Ready or Not, was launched on November 17, 2020. This release featured lyrics penned by renowned South Korean artist Psy.
On February 5, 2021, Momoland presented a rendition of "Wrap Me in Plastic," originally by CHROMANCE.
Member Ahin collaborated with EDM artist DJ Soda and Lost Chameleon on the single "Okay!", which was released on August 27, 2021.
January 14, 2022 saw the release of "Yummy Yummy Love," an English-language single created in partnership with Natti Natasha. This track earned Momoland a nomination at the Latin American 2022 Juventud Awards, marking them as the first Korean group to receive such recognition. Later that year, on December 16, they performed at a cultural tourism festival held in Hanoi.
On January 27, 2023, MLD Entertainment announced that Momoland had departed from the label following contract expirations. The group formally disbanded on February 14, 2023.
2025–present: Reunion under Inyeon Entertainment and Release of Rodeo
According to a report by MK Sports dated April 10, 2025, members Hyebin, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, and Nancy signed exclusive contracts with Inyeon Entertainment to resume activities as a complete group. This reunion was officially confirmed by Inyeon Entertainment on May 8, 2025. On June 30 of that year, Momoland released Festivaland, their first remix album featuring "Baam (EDM Remix)" as its lead track. Subsequently, Inyeon Entertainment announced on August 13 that preparations were underway for a new album marking their first comeback in nearly four years. The group's initial digital single post-reunion titled "Rodeo" was launched on September 8, 2025.
Philanthropy
Since 2016, Momoland has demonstrated a strong commitment to charitable work, initially serving as ambassadors for Plan Korea and engaging in international volunteer activities in Vietnam. Their philanthropic efforts have encompassed support for children's welfare initiatives in countries such as Cambodia and the Philippines, achieved through benefit concerts and monetary contributions. In 2018, the group took on the role of ambassadors for the Korean Red Cross Blood Services, organizing blood donation campaigns that coincided with their music promotions.
Momoland has maintained a steady involvement in social welfare initiatives by allocating concert earnings to fund medical care for children, providing hygiene supplies to multicultural families via collaborations with brands, and contributing to COVID-19 relief by donating face masks and proceeds from performances. Additionally, they have participated in advocacy campaigns for women's rights and promoted public participation in blood donation through televised charity programs.
Expanding their philanthropic reach globally, Momoland partnered with Gugah Nurani Indonesia's "Good Water Project" in 2022 to help supply safe drinking water to children. Their continuous charitable endeavors highlight a deliberate integration of social responsibility into their entertainment career.
Members
Adapted from their Naver profile.
Former Members
- Daisy ()
- Taeha ()
- Yeonwoo ()
Discography
- Chiri Chiri (2019)
Filmography
- Finding Momoland (Mnet, 2016)
- The Liar and His Lover (2016)
- Momoland's Saipan Land (MBC Every 1, 2018)
See also
External links
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs nameddisband - ↑ "모모랜드 팀 활동 잇는다…인연엔터테인먼트와 전속계약". news.nate.com (in 한국어). April 10, 2025. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ↑ "The group MOMOLAND will sign an exclusive contract with Tyeon Entertainment and start full-scale activities". maeil business newspaper. May 8, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
- Momoland
- 2016 establishments in South Korea
- South Korean girl groups
- K-pop music groups
- Musical groups established in 2016
- South Korean pop music groups
- South Korean dance music groups
- Musical groups from Seoul
- King Records (Japan) artists
- Universal Music Group artists
- Musical groups disestablished in 2023
- 2023 disestablishments in South Korea
- Musical groups reestablished in 2025