On November 28, 143 Entertainment announced: “We inform you that Gaeun has officially left MADEIN as of today.”
The company clarified that his departure was due to personal reasons, noting that this is unrelated to the ongoing harassment allegations.
They stated, “Since his debut in September, Gaeun has worked diligently as a member of MADEIN. However, due to overlapping personal circumstances, she found it difficult to continue group activities, leading to her decision to leave.”
The agency also addressed the harassment allegations, firmly stating: “Recent reports of sexual harassment are completely false. We have clear evidence to prove this and will co-operate fully in any legal proceedings to ensure all doubts are dispelled.”
The company assured fans that MADEIN will continue as a six-member group, adding that all previously postponed activities will resume as planned.
Meanwhile, earlier on November 22, a JTBC program reported claims that a rookie member of the group had been sexually harassed by the CEO of their agency.
An audio recording revealed troubling details, including the CEO reportedly saying: “If I grant your wish to end this business, will you grant mine? My wish is for you to be my girlfriend for a day. The recording also included allegations of forced kissing, inappropriate touching and other harassing behavior over a two-hour period.
Following this broadcast, the girl group in question was speculated to be MADEIN, and the implicated member was believed to be Gaeun, who stopped activities on November 11 for health reasons.
MADEIN members’ past statements regarding the CEO have also raised concerns.
However, 143 Entertainment strongly denied the allegations, stating: “There was no sexual harassment or misconduct involving the member and the CEO. The reported content is completely false. Furthermore, the alleged hotel incident involving the member constituted a meeting with acquaintances and not an isolated situation as described. The claims are based on distorted accounts from uninvolved individuals and we reiterate that these allegations are unfounded.”
Source: Daum
