Nineteen-year-old South Korean singer Gaeun has officially exited the rookie K-pop group MADEIN just two months after the group’s September debut. Her departure follows reports alleging inappropriate behavior by the CEO of MADEIN’s agency, 143 Entertainment, toward her when she was underage.
On Friday, November 29, 143 Entertainment confirmed Gaeun’s decision to leave the seven-member group, which will now continue as a six-member act. The remaining members—Mashiro, MiU, Suhye, Yeseo, Serina, and Nagomi—are expected to carry on with their scheduled activities.
In an official statement, the agency expressed regret over Gaeun’s departure, citing personal circumstances as the reason for her decision:
“Since debuting with MADEIN in September, Gaeun has made significant efforts to contribute to the group’s activities. However, due to overlapping personal circumstances, she has found it difficult to continue participating in team activities, leading to her decision to leave the group.”
[#NOTICE]
MADEIN 활동 관련 안내 #메이딘 #メイディン #MADEIN #MABY pic.twitter.com/ehaRWBfK4I— GTMNY x 143 (@GTMNY143) November 28, 2024
Rumors and Temporary Hiatus
Gaeun’s exit comes weeks after she was placed on a temporary break from group activities on November 11, initially attributed to health reasons. During her hiatus, Gaeun deleted all posts from her Instagram account and removed MADEIN’s name from her profile, fueling speculation about her status within the group.
This speculation intensified after a report from JTBC’s Crime Chief on November 22 alleged that a member of a multinational girl group (identified as “A”) had accused the co-founder and CEO of their agency of sexual harassment. While the initial broadcast did not name Gaeun or MADEIN, the timeline and details in the report aligned with her situation.
The alleged incidents reportedly took place in October, a month after MADEIN’s debut, when Gaeun was still underage.
⚠️ TO ALL KPOP FANS.
Gaeun of MADEIN was sexually harassed by her companies CEO — an abhorrent situation that no one deserves to go through.
Please help spread Gaeun’s story, and help her to get justice for what has happened to her. pic.twitter.com/TvLECjP7DS
— Kep1er Protection Team (@protectkep1er) November 22, 2024
Agency Denies Allegations
In its latest statement, 143 Entertainment denied the rumors of sexual harassment, asserting that the allegations were baseless and supported by substantial evidence:
“The rumors about the recent sexual harassment allegations are untrue. We possess clear and substantial evidence to prove the falsity of these claims.”
The company also reassured fans that MADEIN’s postponed schedules would now proceed as planned and urged supporters to extend their encouragement to both Gaeun and the group as they move forward.
WHAT HAPPENED TO MADEIN’S GAEUN? WHY YOU SHOULD BOYCOTT THE GROUP? 🚨
Gaeun, a member of MADEIN has been s3xu4lly ass*ulted by their CEO, who attempted to cover it up by placing her on hiatus under the guise of “health reasons”. (The CEO has known Gaeun since she was a child.)… pic.twitter.com/4HT8lolVXA
— ۟ (@aecendio) November 22, 2024
Fan Reactions and Industry Impact
Gaeun’s departure and the surrounding rumors have sparked widespread discussion among fans and the broader K-pop community. While many have voiced their disappointment over losing a talented member, others have raised concerns about the well-being of young idols in the industry.
The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about power dynamics and exploitation within the entertainment world, particularly involving minors. Gaeun’s decision to step away from MADEIN underscores the challenges many young artists face as they navigate fame while dealing with personal and professional pressures.
Despite 143 Entertainment’s denial of the allegations, the situation has cast a shadow over MADEIN’s early career, placing the group and the agency under intense scrutiny. Fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how the agency and MADEIN rebuild their image in the wake of these serious claims.
For now, Gaeun’s departure marks a significant turning point for the rookie group as they continue as a six-member act amid heightened public attention.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I’m Shivam Kumar. I’m pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day….
