[Exclusive] Momoland Agency Denies Daisy's Allegations: "Absolutely Not True"

Momoland Single Album 'Thumbs Up' Release Showcase Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Sung-yeol] MLD Entertainment (MLD), the agency of the idol group Momoland, has refuted the allegations made by former member Daisy.

On the afternoon of the 8th, MLD released an official statement denying Daisy's claims reported on KBS 'News 9' on the 7th.

MLD stated, "We have never admitted to any of the allegations even once. We have formally requested an apology and a prompt correction from KBS through the court and the Korea Press Arbitration Commission for their biased reporting."

Regarding the claim that "Daisy was secretly offered a specific joining date during the 2016 Mnet survival program 'Finding Momoland'," the agency said, "We categorically deny this is true."

MLD explained, "At that time, Daisy was selected as a dropout and was supposed to have her trainee contract terminated, but the CEO, who highly valued Daisy's potential, encouraged her to remain as a 'trainee.' The offer to join Momoland, which debuted on November 10, 2016, was made at the end of the same month, and Daisy signed a contract to join Momoland in March 2017."

Regarding the claim that "Daisy expressed her intention to resume activities in May but was neglected for over eight months," MLD stated, "From May last year, when Daisy claims to have expressed her intention, Momoland did not have any official domestic album activities for eight months. After releasing the mini 5th album 'I'm So Hot' in March, Momoland had no activities except for unit activities for about nine months."

They added, "In February 2019, when Daisy's dating rumors were reported, we confirmed the facts with her and acknowledged the rumors. Three days after the report, Daisy's mother notified us that she wanted Daisy removed from Momoland and would take her out within the next week. Subsequently, three certified letters were sent demanding contract termination."

MLD further stated, "Given the ongoing exchange of certified letters regarding contract termination, the sudden claim that Daisy expressed her intention to resume activities in May is an unreasonable assertion considering the timing and circumstances. Since August last year, Daisy has unilaterally cut off contact and disappeared, making any communication impossible."

Regarding KBS's report that "MLD admitted to the allegations," MLD clarified, "We have never admitted to any allegations even once, and we possess recorded evidence related to this matter."

The full official statement from MLD Entertainment is as follows:

Hello, this is MLD Entertainment. We would like to address the biased report related to our company that was aired on ‘KBS News 9’ on the 7th.

In response to the baseless allegations unilaterally presented through the broadcast,

1. On the day the results of the Mnet survival program ‘Finding Momoland’ were announced (September 3, 2016), Daisy, who was eliminated, was secretly offered a specific joining date to Momoland.

- We categorically deny this. As previously stated, trainees eliminated in the final round of the program were to have their contracts terminated. Daisy was selected as a dropout based on evaluations by judges and viewers and was supposed to have her trainee contract terminated. However, the CEO, recognizing Daisy's potential, encouraged her to remain as a 'trainee' rather than as a debut member. The offer to join Momoland (which debuted on November 10, 2016) was first made during a meeting at the end of November 2016, and Daisy signed an exclusive artist contract to join Momoland in March 2017.

2. Daisy expressed her intention to resume activities in May but was ignored and left unattended for over eight months.

- From May last year, when Daisy claims to have expressed her intention, Momoland did not engage in any official domestic album release activities. After releasing the mini 5th album ‘I’m So Hot’ on March 20, 2019, Momoland had no activities except for unit activities for about nine months.

This was due to conflicts with Daisy’s side. On February 14, 2019, Daisy’s dating rumors were reported by a media outlet. We confirmed the facts with Daisy and acknowledged the rumors. Three days after the report, Daisy’s mother notified us that she wanted Daisy removed from Momoland and would take her out within the next week. We confirmed this with Daisy, who was aware of the situation. We also asked about her willingness to participate in the upcoming album activities, but she did not express a clear intention, so we advised her to take a break considering the circumstances. Subsequently, on March 12, March 27, and July 30, 2019, Daisy’s mother sent three certified letters demanding an official apology and contract termination.

To resolve the matter amicably, on April 1, 2019, we responded to the certified letters and, during a meeting with Daisy’s legal representative in August, expressed our willingness to terminate the exclusive contract without any penalty. However, Daisy’s side rejected our offer and additionally claimed ‘unfair financial demands.’ We judged this unacceptable and, on August 29, 2019, sent a certified letter refusing the contract termination request and explaining the penalty amount payable upon contract termination.

Given the exchange of certified letters regarding contract termination from March to August 29, 2018, the sudden claim that Daisy expressed her intention to resume activities in May is an unreasonable assertion considering the timing and circumstances. Since August last year, Daisy has unilaterally cut off contact and disappeared, making any communication impossible.

3. MLD demanded Daisy pay 1.1 billion KRW in penalties upon contract termination.

- The penalty amount was accurately calculated based on the standard exclusive contract guidelines provided by the Fair Trade Commission. This is based on legal provisions in Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the exclusive contract, which states that if the contract is terminated due to the artist’s fault, the artist must compensate the company for damages, and Paragraph 2, which requires payment of penalties.

4. KBS’s claim that “MLD admitted to the allegations.”

- The KBS reporter Lee ○○ visited MLD Entertainment’s office twice on October 31 and December 27, 2019, to investigate the related allegations. We have never admitted to any allegations even once. We possess recorded evidence related to this matter.

We have informed that through our legal team, we have formally requested an apology and a prompt correction from KBS through the court and the Korea Press Arbitration Commission for their biased reporting. Thank you.

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