Gaeun has officially left the rookie girl group MADEIN.
On November 29 KST, 143 Entertainment announced Gaeun’s departure from the group, confirming that MADEIN will continue as a six-member act moving forward.
Speculation around Gaeun began recently when rumors surfaced suggesting she was the female idol allegedly subjected to sexual harassment by the agency's CEO. The allegations gained attention through JTBC’s 'Crime Chief,' where a recorded conversation revealed that a girl group member referred to as 'A' claimed to have experienced sexual intimidation, threats, and abuse from the CEO.
In response, 143 Entertainment strongly denied the allegations in their official statement about Gaeun’s departure, asserting that the "rumors about the recent sexual harassment allegations are untrue" and emphasizing that they have "clear and substantial evidence to prove the falsity of these claims."
The full statement reads as follows:
"Hello, this is 143 Entertainment.
We would like to provide an update regarding the future activities of the group MADEIN.
We regret to inform you that member Gaeun will be leaving the team as of today. 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.
Going forward, MADEIN will continue as a six-member group consisting of Mashiro, MiU, Suhye, Yeseo, Serina, and Nagomi. All previously postponed schedules will now proceed as planned.
Additionally, we would like to clarify that the recent allegations of sexual misconduct are completely baseless. We possess clear and substantial evidence to prove the falsity of these claims and will approach any potential legal issues with full diligence to ensure no doubts remain.
We sincerely apologize for delivering such heavy news to the fans. We kindly ask for your continued warm support and encouragement for both Gaeun and MADEIN.
Thank you."
MADEIN debuted in September of this year under 143 Entertainment, which is also the agency of iKON. Born in 2005, Gaeun recently turned 19 this November.
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