Gaeun Leaves MADEIN, Agency Claims To Have Evidence Against Sexual Assault Allegations

As of November 28, Gaeun is no longer a member of MADEIN, a K-Pop girl group under 143 Entertainment. This announcement comes in the wake of disturbing sexual assault allegations.

Former MADEIN member Gaeun | 143 Entertainment

Earlier this month, Gaeun raised alarm bells by suddenly deleting all her social media posts, unfollowing her group’s agency, and unfollowing 143 Entertainment’s CEO. Fans worried that these changes might be signaling Gaeun’s exit from MADEIN, but 143 Entertainment initially stated otherwise.

Gaeun’s account on November 10. | @share0_0food/Instagram

Recently, Gaeun visited the hospital due to health issues, and based on the medical advice to take sufficient rest and stability, she has decided to temporarily halt activities to focus on recovering her health.

As a result, MADEIN will continue its activities with six members—Mashiro, Yeseo, MiU, Suhye, Serina, and Nagomi—for the time being.

— 143 Entertainment

A week later, JTBC‘s show Scandal Supervisor released an episode about a 5th-generation girl group member, who had been sexually assaulted after she asked to leave her group. Although Gaeun’s voice was altered to protect her identity, netizens quickly matched a blurred background video from the segment to a MADEIN performance on M! Countdown. 

Gaeun stated that 143 Entertainment’s CEO forcibly kissed and molested her for two hours after she asked to leave MADEIN. She was a minor at the time of the alleged assault.

I told him that it was my wish to leave the group after the round of activities [we were doing]. He asked that if he granted my wish, would I also grant his wish? He wanted me to be his one-day girlfriend.

He asked if he could kiss me, but then he grabbed me and forced me to kiss him. I kept my mouth shut, but he suddenly forced his tongue in and kept kissing me, he also licked my neck and ears.

I was so focused on protecting [down here] but he said to move my hands and kept touching me.

He asked ‘can I touch your breasts?’ and ‘can I feel your butt just this one time?’

I said no, but he kept doing this for two hours.

— Gaeun

On November 22, the MADEIN X account tweeted out a statement, in which the company confirmed that the JTBC report was about MADEIN but denied that sexual assault had taken place.

| 143 Entertainment

On November 28, 143 Entertainment tweeted a new statement to announce Gaeun’s official departure from the group. 143 Entertainment stated that Gaeun has decided to withdraw due to “personal circumstances that have made it difficult for her to continue team activities.”

[#NOTICE]
MADEIN 활동 관련 안내 #메이딘 #メイディン #MADEIN #MABY pic.twitter.com/ehaRWBfK4I

— GTMNY x 143 (@GTMNY143) November 28, 2024

Hello,
This is 143 Entertainment.

We would like to give an update regarding MADEIN’s future activities.

We regret to inform you that Gaeun, a member of MADEIN, will be leaving the team as of today. Since their debut in September, Gaeun has worked hard for MADEIN’s activities. However, due to personal circumstances that have made it difficult for her to continue team activities, she has decided to withdraw.

Moving forward, MADEIN will operate as a six-member group consisting of Mashiro, MiU, Suhye, Yeseo, Serina, and Nagomi. The team plans to carry out all schedules that have been temporarily on hold in an orderly and smooth manner. . .

— 143 Entertainment

143 Entertainment also denied the sexual assault allegations once more, claiming to possess evidence that will be disclosed “if necessary. ” 

. . . Additionally, regarding the allegations of sexual harassment raised in recent reports, we wish to clarify that the claims are completely untrue. We possess multiple pieces of evidence that supports this, and we will reveal that evidence if necessary. Furthermore, if any legal issues arise, we intend to respond vigorously to ensure that no misunderstanding or unfair damage occurs to anyone involved.

We sincerely apologize to fans for having to deliver this unfortunate news. We ask for your continued support and encouragement toward both Gaeun and MADEIN.

Thank you.

— 143 Entertainment