Gaeun, a former member of the girl group MADEIN, has officially filed a sexual harassment complaint against the CEO of 143 Entertainment, marking a serious escalation in allegations that first surfaced late last year.
During a press conference held on April 29 in Seoul, Gaeun’s legal team, along with her mother, representatives from the Hanbit Media Labor Human Rights Center, and a former A&R team leader from the agency, shared disturbing details about the alleged abuse.
Attorney Moon Hyo Jung stated that the CEO, referred to as Mr. A, committed acts of sexual harassment against Gaeun—who was a minor at the time—and initially apologized before later denying any wrongdoing and framing the encounter as consensual.
The incident reportedly took place during a private meeting in the CEO’s office, where Gaeun was subjected to verbal abuse, threats, and ultimately, harassment.
These claims are now under police investigation, and Mr. A is expected to be summoned for questioning soon.
In response, 143 Entertainment acknowledged the controversy in an official statement, expressing regret over the situation but also disputing many of the claims.
They emphasized their intent to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and called out the alleged timing of the complaint, suggesting that it followed a failed attempt at a financial settlement.
The case first became public via JTBC’s Crime Chief in November 2024, sparking significant backlash.
At the time, 143 Entertainment denied the accusations and announced Gaeun’s departure from MADEIN.
This case has renewed public focus on power imbalances in the K-pop industry, especially involving underage idols.
Both legal proceedings and broader industry reactions are expected to follow in the coming weeks.
