Malananta came to Baekje from Jin in the ninth lunar month of 384, the coronation year of King Chimnyu. Two months before Malananta's arrival, King Chimnyu had sent a tribute mission to Jìn, as was common upon the ascension of Baekje kings in this period. These are the only mentions of Malananta in historical records. His ultimate origins are unknown, as is the time and manner of his death. It is possible that he originally hailed from Serindia.