South Korean-based Filipino boy band HORI7ON have officially parted ways with their agency, MLD Entertainment, ending their management relationship with the company after three years.
The seven members: Vinci, Kim, Kyler, Reyster, Winston, Jeromy and Marcus, confirmed their departure in a statement issued through their legal counsel, Korean firm Atorni Law on 4 September 2026. According to the statement, the members have formally terminated their exclusive management agreements and intended to continue pursuing their careers in the Philippines.
In a message to their fans, known as Anchors, the members acknowledged the support they have received throughout their journey and expressed regret over the circumstances surrounding the announcement. They also stressed with the end of their management relationship with MLD Entertainment does not mark the end of HORI7ON, saying they will share more about their plans when they are able to do so.
“We held on longer than we should have, because we did not want to disappoint you. This chapter is closing, but we are not going anywhere”, the members said. “Thank you for being part of this journey and sailing along the tides with us. We would love to see you again beyond the horizon.”
Their legal counsel said the exclusive management agreements, dated 10 March 2023, were terminated with effect from 13 August 2026. The contracts identified MLD Entertainment Co., Ltd. and ABS-CBN Corporation jointly as the group’s “Management Agency”. The termination notice was formally served on both companies.
The decision followed a series of notices exchanged between the members and MLD Entertainment. On 13 July 2026, the members said they sent the agency a formal notice outlining what they described as serious violations of their agreements. According to their legal counsel, the members gave MLD Entertainment the required 14-day period to address the concerns, but the period expired without a response. After the notice period required, the members proceeded with the termination of their agreements. Their legal counsel said the subsequent termination notice also went unanswered.
HORI7ON were formed through the Filipino reality survival programme Dream Maker and made their official South Korean debut as a seven member group on 24 July 2024 with their debut album, Friend-SHIP. The group also released “SUMAYAW SUMUNOD” on 13 August 2024 as part of the EP, DAYTOUR 2. The song is a remake of a track originally released by Filipino band The Boyfriends in 1978. HORI7ON subsequently trained and promoted in both the Philippines and South Korea, becoming an all-Filipino act in the K-Pop scene.
