Momoland's Daisy "Survival Program Manipulation" vs Agency "Nonsense" (Comprehensive)

Daisy Raises Manipulation Allegations in MOMOLAND Member Selection Process
"Members Even Covered Program Production Costs"
Agency Denies "No Vote Manipulation or Fraudulent Activities"

On the afternoon of the 30th of last month, members posed at the Momoland single album 'Thumbs Up' release showcase held at Blue Square Chaos Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Heo Midam] Daisy (21), a member of the group Momoland, raised allegations of manipulation during the member selection process after being eliminated from the audition program 'Finding Momoland,' despite receiving an offer to join the team. The agency strongly denied the claims.

In an interview with KBS on the 7th, Daisy claimed that there were issues in the member selection process of the survival audition program 'Finding Momoland,' which aired in 2016, and that the production costs of the program were unfairly charged to the Momoland members.

According to reports, Daisy was eliminated from 'Finding Momoland.' However, on the day the final members were decided, she received an offer from the agency to join the team.

Daisy stated, "Joining Momoland was planned regardless of elimination," adding, "A company official told me not to worry as they had plans for me." Daisy joined the team with Taeha after Momoland's debut in 2017.

She also claimed that the agency made the Momoland members bear tens of millions of won in production costs for the program.

Daisy said, "In the first settlement after our 2017 debut, there was nearly 70 million won of debt from 2016, a period when I was not active. They said it was for the production costs of 'Finding Momoland.' I heard that the members had to split and pay it."

Momoland Daisy. Photo by MLD Entertainment

In response to Daisy's claims, Momoland's agency MLD Entertainment (MLD) released a statement saying, "There was no vote manipulation or fraudulent activity in the member selection process of 'Finding Momoland.'"

MLD emphasized, "It was not a general audition program open to the public but a survival program planned for the debut of 10 trainees under our company. At the time, 3,000 audience members had to be recruited for the debut, but since this condition was not met, the debut itself was canceled, so the claim of manipulation is groundless."

Regarding Daisy's additional joining, they stated, "After the program ended, contracts with eliminated trainees were terminated, but the CEO saw potential in Daisy and recommended she remain as a trainee under the company."

They added, "The settlement related to the program's production costs was decided with the consent of the members and their parents based on the exclusive contract following the Fair Trade Commission's standard exclusive contract. Daisy also agreed to this when she joined."

MLD further stated, "Daisy's mother has repeatedly threatened the company since last year, and when we did not comply, it seems she took malicious actions. We have evidence to refute all of Daisy's claims and plan to actively respond through legal procedures soon."

Meanwhile, Daisy has temporarily suspended activities since February and is currently negotiating with the agency about rejoining the team. Momoland restructured as a six-member group last month on the 30th, excluding Daisy, Yeonwoo, and Taeha, who left the team.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.