TS Entertainment (

also known as A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true name ( orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individu ...

TS ENTER (티에스이엔티이알)) was a South Korean

record label A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the produ ...

and entertainment agency founded in 2008 by Kim Tae‑song (김태송). It was located at

Hannam-dong Hannam-dong is a '' dong'', neighbourhood of Yongsan-gu in Seoul, South Korea. One of the most affluent neighborhoods in the country, it has been portrayed continuously in South Korea's popular culture as a wealthy and luxurious spot, and for this ...

Yongsan-gu Yongsan District (, ) is one of the 25 List of districts of Seoul, districts of Seoul, South Korea. Yongsan has a population of 231,685 (2020) and has a geographic area of , and is divided into 19 ''Dong (administrative division), dong'' (adminis ...

Seoul Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 ...

, South Korea. The company was responsible for managing

idol Idol or Idols may refer to: Religion and philosophy * Cult image, a neutral term for a man-made object that is worshipped or venerated for the deity, spirit or demon that it embodies or represents * Murti, a point of focus for devotion or medit ...

groups such as Untouchable,

Secret Secrecy is the practice of hiding information from certain individuals or groups who do not have the "need to know", perhaps while sharing it with other individuals. That which is kept hidden is known as the secret. Secrecy is often controvers ...

, B.A.P.,

Sonamoo Sonamoo (; stylized as SONAMOO, lit. Pine Tree) was a South Korean girl group formed by TS Entertainment. Originally a seven-member group, members Sumin and Nahyun left the group in 2019 after they filed a lawsuit to terminate the contracts with ...

, and

TRCNG TRCNG (Hangul: 티알씨엔지; an acronym for Teen Rising Champion in a New Generation) was a South Korean boy band formed by TS Entertainment in 2017. They debuted with the EP ''New Generation'' on October 10, 2017. Originally a ten-piece gr ...

History

TS Entertainment was founded by Kim Tae-song in October 2008. The company signed Untouchable as their first artist and released their debut single "It's Okay" in the same month. In October 2009, TS Entertainment officially debuted the four-member girl group

. They were first introduced to the public through the reality show ''Secret Story'' on

Mnet M-Net (an abbreviation of Electronic Media Network) is a South African pay television channel established by Naspers in 1986. The channel broadcasts both local and international programming, including general entertainment, children's series, ...

. On October 13, 2009, Secret's debut single "

I Want You Back "I Want You Back" is the first national single by the Jackson 5. It was released by Motown on October 6, 1969, and became the first number-one hit for the band on January 31, 1970. It was performed on the band's first television appearances, on ...

" was released. In July 2011, TS Entertainment established themselves outside South Korea through the formation of TS Japan in

Tokyo Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

. In January 2012, TS Entertainment debuted a six-member boy band named

B.A.P B.A.P (; an acronym for Best Absolute Perfect) was a South Korean boy band formed in 2012 under TS Entertainment. B.A.P made their musical debut with the single "Warrior" on January 26, 2012, followed by the release of their debut EP ''Warrio ...

. The members were introduced in a documentary show, ''Ta-Dah, It's B.A.P'' which first aired on SBS MTV Korea on January 8, 2012. On December 29, 2014, TS Entertainment debuted a seven-member girl group named

. On October 10, 2017, they debuted boy group

. On April 28, 2018, TS Entertainment's CEO and founder Kim Tae-song, died. On January 31, 2021, TS Entertainment privately shut down and deleted its website. As of February 2022, all TS Entertainment artists have been released from their contracts.

Legal issues

B.A.P's lawsuit

On November 27, 2014 the six members of B.A.P collectively filed a lawsuit against TS Entertainment in order to nullify their contracts, claiming unfair conditions and profit distribution. The following day, TS Entertainment issued a press release refuting the claims made, stating that "there have been neither such maltreatments to the artists nor unfair clauses in the contract". On August 1, 2015, B.A.P. returned to TS Entertainment as both parties reached a settlement.

Jieun and Hyoseong's lawsuit

On February 28, 2018, It was reported that Jieun and Hyoseong had legal disputes, by on 2017, Jieun submitted the request for the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board, following this, Jieun results announced her departure from Secret and the company, so she took her post from her via Instagram. On March 5, Hyoseong was first to fill a civil lawsuit, in order to terminate from her contract and her company, later she also announced her departure from Secret, and for this the agency had sent to Jun Hyoseong, the contract of the company will be valid to the ends of terms, following to the departures of TS Entertainment, effectively ending Secret.

Sleepy's lawsuit

On September 14, 2019, it was revealed that

Sleepy Sleepy means feeling a need for sleep, also known as somnolence. It may also refer to: People * Sleepy (rapper) (born 1984), a South Korean rapper part of the hip hop duo Untouchable * Sleepy Bill Burns (1880–1953), American baseball player * ...

of Untouchable had filed a lawsuit to terminate his contract with TS Entertainment, citing lack of trust after they refused to show him payment documents and a physical copy of his contract. Sleepy also said that he did not receive any payment for his activities until 10 years after his contract was signed. TS later denied these statements, saying all of Sleepy's claims were "false" and that he embezzled funds from the company, which Sleepy denied. The next day, it was announced TS Entertainment was forwarded to prosecution for overdue payments of artists.

Sumin and Nahyun's lawsuits

On September 23, 2019, it was announced that Sumin and Nahyun of

were filing a lawsuit against TS Entertainment to terminate their contracts after the company failed to end their contracts following the two sending TS Entertainment certifications of content back in May. TS Entertainment released a statement on the same day, claiming that the two members suddenly "cut contact" with the company and group after the documents were sent. The statement also announced Sonamoo would continue as a five member group.

Wooyeop and Taeseon's lawsuit

On November 4, 2019,

members Wooyeop and Taeseon sent a certification of contents to terminate their contracts with TS Entertainment while also filing a criminal complaint against the company, accusing company executives and employees of child abuse, criminal battery, and extortion. They alleged that they were forced to practice choreography from 5pm until 5am, only to have to work again at 10am. While under the age of 18, they allegedly were forced to live in a dorm with no proper meals being provided with the dorm also allegedly having problems with electricity often being cut out and broken air conditioners, plumbing and water purifying systems. Wooyeop also alleged that he was once beaten using a metal chair by Yoon, the head of TRCNG's choreography team. Taeseon also alleged that he was regularly beaten from the moment he became a trainee.

Former artists

Former Recording Artists

* Untouchable (2008-2019) **

(2008-2019) ** D.Action (2008-2019) *

(2009-2018) **

Han Sun-hwa Han Sun-hwa (born October 6, 1990), also known mononymously as Sunhwa, is a South Korean singer and actress. She is a former member of the South Korean girl group Secret. She made her television debut in 2004 while participating in SBS' ''Sup ...

(2009-2016) **

Jun Hyo-seong Jun Hyo-seong (Hangul: 전효성; Hanja: 全烋星; born October 13, 1989) often simply known as Hyoseong or Hyosung, is a South Korean singer and actress. In 2005, she was a finalist in Mnet (TV channel), Mnet's ''Battle Shinhwa'' which led t ...

(2009-2018) **

Song Ji-eun Song Ji-eun, (born May 5, 1990), better known mononymously as Jieun, is a South Korean singer and actress best known as a member of the South Korean girl group Secret. Aside from her group's activities, she has released several solo songs and ...

(2009-2018) **

Jung Ha-na Jung Ha-na (born February 2, 1990), better known by her former stage name Zinger and mononymously as Hana, is a former South Korea singer and actress. She is best known for being a member of the South Korean girl group Secret (South Korean ban ...

(2009-2021) * B.A.P. (2012-2019) ** Yongguk (2012-2018) **

Zelo Choi Jun-hong (Hangul: 최준홍; born October 15, 1996), better known by his stage name Zelo, is a South Korean rapper, singer, beatboxer and dancer best known as the former member of the South Korean boy group B.A.P. He made his recording de ...

(2012-2018) ** Himchan (2012-2019) ** Daehyun (2012-2019) ** Youngjae (2012-2019) ** Jongup (2012-2019) *

(2014-2021) **Sumin (2014-2019) **Nahyun (2014-2019) **Euijin (2014-2021) **Minjae (2014-2021) **NewSun (2014-2021) **D.ana (2014-2021) **High.D (2014-2021) *

(2017-2022) **Taeseon (2017-2019) **Wooyeop (2017-2019) ** Jihun (2017-2022) **Hayoung (2017-2022) **Hakmin (2017-2022) **Jisung (2017-2022) **Hyunwoo (2017-2022) **Siwoo (2017-2022) **Hohyeon (2017-2022) **Kangmin (2017-2022)

Former Actor

Han Soo-yeon Han Soo-yeon ( born April 24, 1983) is a South Korean actress best known for her roles in Korean dramas, '' Pure Love'' (2013) and ''Love in the Moonlight'' (2016). Early life and education Han was born in South Korea, and moved with her mother ...

(2011-2017)

Discography

References

External links

Official website
{{Authority control K-pop record labels Hip hop record labels Synth-pop record labels South Korean record labels Talent agencies of South Korea 2008 establishments in South Korea 2021 disestablishments in South Korea Record labels established in 2008 Record labels disestablished in 2021 Labels distributed by Kakao M Labels distributed by CJ E&M Music and Live South Korean companies established in 2008 South Korean companies disestablished in 2021 Defunct record labels of South Korea