MOMOLAND’s Career Pt. 1: Pre-Debut to “BBoom BBoom”

Photo: MOMOLAND Official X

The 2020s has proven itself as an unexpected goldmine for girl group reunions, and MOMOLAND is the latest group making future plans. On April 11, MOMOLAND announced they will continue their career under a new company. The formerly disbanded group consisting of Hyebin, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, and Nancy has signed contracts with Inyeon Entertainment. Debuting in 2016, MOMOLAND undoubtedly made their mark on the K-pop scene through their quirky and charming concepts, the viral sensation “BBoom BBoom,” and unique global fandom. Before the girls make their first comeback since 2022, allow the next installments of Ladies Corner to catch you up on MOMOLAND’s K-pop journey. 

Pre-Debut: Finding MOMOLAND

In 2016, Mnet produced the first season of PRODUCE 101, the third season of Unpretty Rapstar, and Finding MOMOLAND. The show centered around 10 trainees from Duble Kick Entertainment (now MLD Entertainment) hoping to debut in the company’s first idol group. The company’s founders, music producer duo Duble Sidekick, produced girl group classics such as “Mr. Chu” by Apink, “Mama Mia!” by KARA, and “Something” by Girl’s Day. Finding MOMOLAND aired from July 22, 2016 to September 16, 2016.  

With the input of Duble Kick, rapper and hip-hop producer Rhymer, prolific producer Shinsadong Tiger, and fans, Hyebin, Yeonwoo, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, and Nancy won. Future MOMOLAND member Daisy, trainee Heejae, and trainee Shin Sia (now producer C’SA) were eliminated. Though Finding MOMOLAND was not without controversy during its airing and years after, it provided an introduction to the group.  

Their Debut: Welcome to MOMOLAND

Just months after the end of Finding MOMOLAND, MOMOLAND released their debut EP on November 10, 2016. Welcome to MOMOLAND featured six tracks, including the title track “JJan! Koong! Kwang!” The song uses Korean onomatopoeia to illustrate the heart-thumping emotions of seeing a special someone. 

The song feels full of life and the music video bursts with color. Re-experiencing “JJan! Koong! Kwang!” in 2025 reminded me that the song still holds up today despite it sounding representative of the mid-2010s cute concept. It somehow manages to feel both nostalgic for that era but retains the freshness that it had back then. The song set up the dreams MOMOLAND hoped to accomplish.  

New Members and Beginning Virality: “Wonderful Love”

In March 2017, MOMOLAND gained two members in Daisy and former PRODUCE 101 contestant Taeha just before their comeback. Taeha joined as a vocalist and Daisy joined as a rapper. That April, the nine-member group released the single “Wonderful Love”— however, its EDM version would later gain prominence for establishing some early viral material. 

The EDM version transformed the bubbly love song into a track made for the club. JooE’s enthusiastic dance break during music show performances drew attention online. MOMOLAND included “Wonderful Love (EDM Ver.)” on their second EP, Freeze!, but 2018 would see the group reach global virality. 

Global Recognition: “BBoom BBoom” Blows Up

If you listened to K-Pop in 2018, then the iconic guitar hook and quirky horns of “BBoom BBoom” must come to mind. Released on January 3, 2018 as the title track of MOMOLAND’s third EP, GREAT!, this title track started the year off strong. The quirky infomercial-inspired music video and the members’ energized expressions created an amusing atmosphere. immediately come to mind. With a fun, hand-focused choreography that many liked to mimic, it’s not hard to see why lots of people—K-Pop listeners and otherwise—gravitated towards the song: it was “great!”

The song helped MOMOLAND accomplish more feats: they got their first music show win and earned the first Circle Chart platinum certification for a girl group song. “BBoom BBoom” earned the platinum certification in streaming on August 9, 2018, when it reached 100 million streams. The song topped music charts and became an international hit, especially in the Philippines. By the end of 2018, the “BBoom BBoom” music video reached over 300 million views; as of publication, the video currently boasts over 650 million views. The world was eager to see what MOMOLAND planned next. 

Stay tuned to next week’s Ladies Corner to reflect on MOMOLAND’s anticipated follow-up to “BBoom BBoom,” continued global expansion, and activities into the 2020s.

Edited by Clark Royandoyan