Agency Under Fire For Giving A Taken One-Alphabet Stage Name To Upcoming Idol

MLD Entertainment and KAMP Global recently teased a new boy group, New:ID. The group will consist of 5 Filipino trainees and they will promote in both Korea and the Philippines.

One of the members, L, drew attention for his stage name. His agency had decided on a stage name that overlaps with an existing idol’s stage name. Infinite’s L, birth name Kim Myungsoo, debuted in 2010.

As he is still very much active in the industry, fans wondered why MLD Entertainment chose this stage name for L.

The choice for his stage name likely derives from his real name, Josh Labing-isa. He competed under the name “Josh L.” At that point in time, there were other contestants with the name “Josh,” hence the attachment of his last name.

In his new group, with no one with an overlapping name, fans questioned why he had to go with the stage name “L.” They called out the agency for their “disrespect” to Infinite’s L.

The senior L is still super active. Their cb was like last month? Why did this kid’s company set him up like that ???? https://t.co/DGK4jpQs0Z

— deegee △△·△∷ (@shinwoohyeo) September 15, 2023

Another pointed out that stage names were often used to create distinction between idols. For example, MAMAMOO’s Hwasa chose her stage name for two reasons. Firstly, her real name, Hyejin, was too common. Next, Hwasa means to shine bright.

one of the reasons ppl use stage names is to avoid having same names but choosing an existing stage name as the stage name is …. https://t.co/CnXIVhQOLY

— aespink meal enjoyer (@jenktyrinaz) September 16, 2023

Others pointed out that with 26 letters in the alphabet, MLD Entertainment could’ve easily found another letter for him.

theres a few more letters unused by the kpop industry uh like a how about a or c?? https://t.co/Xr7WyRZdKf

— el. (cat ) (@yoshicheekies) September 16, 2023

Thankfully, most criticism has been directed to the company and not the star.

This is disrespectful, I feel so sorry for him cause I'm pretty sure that is a company decision… they su*ks https://t.co/erTKC18nNp

— ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????? ♡ ???????????????????????? (@yeohehett) September 15, 2023

MLD Entertainment has yet to respond to the criticism.