Former MADEIN Member Gaeun Accuses Agency CEO of Sexual Assault, Holds Press Conference

On April 29, Gaeun, a former member of the girl group MADEIN, held an official press conference to accuse the CEO of her former agency, 143 Entertainment, of sexual assault. The press conference, organized by the Hanbit Media Labor Rights Center (hereafter Hanbit Center), was held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul.

According to Hanbit Center, the victim’s mother personally attended the event to explain the incident and formally demand an apology from 143 Entertainment. The victim’s legal representative and a former A&R team leader from the agency were also present.

Hanbit Center stated that in October 2024, CEO A, the founder and chief producer of 143 Entertainment, called Gaeun into his office, where he allegedly subjected her to three hours of verbal abuse, threats, forced molestation, and sexually degrading harassment. At the time of the alleged incident, Gaeun was reportedly under 19 years old and therefore protected under South Korea’s Act on the Protection of Children and Youth Against Sexual Offenses.

Previously, in November 2024, JTBC’s Crime Chief reported on the sexual assault allegations against CEO A. In response, 143 Entertainment strongly denied the claims, stating, “There was no sexual harassment or inappropriate contact between the CEO and the member.”

However, Hanbit Center claims that although CEO A initially admitted wrongdoing and promised to distance himself from the victim, he later reversed his stance and damaged the victim’s reputation with distorted statements. They further alleged that 143 Entertainment wrongfully expelled Gaeun from her group without any prior notice.

“The young victim is still going through an incredibly difficult time,” Hanbit Center stated, adding that they aim to set the record straight, restore the victim’s reputation, and alleviate her emotional suffering by bringing the matter into the public eye.