Biography
MADEIN, formerly known as LIMELIGHT (stylized as LIMΞLIGHT), is a South Korean girl group under 143 Entertainment. Comprising seven members, the group aims to establish itself as an ever-expanding girl group with no limit on the number of members.
Profile
- Debut day: September 3, 2024
- Debut album: EP 1st album Increase
- Genre: K-POP
- Leader: Mashiro
- Agency: 143 Entertainment/ B ZONE GROUP
- Distributor: Genie Music/ Stone Music Entertainment
Official Details
- Official Fandom Name: MABY
- Official Fandom Colors: –
- Official Logo:
Social Media
- Instagram: @we.madein.u
- Twitter: @MADEIN_U
- TikTok: @madein_u
- YouTube: MADEIN
Meaning Behind the Name “MADEIN”
MADEIN stands for “WE MADEIN U,” symbolizing the group’s formation through the love and support of fans, with its members having competed on survival programs.
Members
| Mashiro | Stage Name: Mashiro (마시로) Birth Name: Sakamoto Mashiro (坂本 舞白) Position(s): Leader Birthdate: December 16th, 1999 Height: 158 cm (5’2″) Blood Type: AB MBTI Type: ISFP Nationality: Japanese Instagram: @shir0._.chann |
| MiU | Stage Name: MiU (미유) Birth Name: Ito Miyu (이토미유) Position(s): N/A Birthdate: January 9th, 2003 Height: 164 cm (5’4″) Blood Type: N/A MBTI Type: ISFJ Nationality: Japanese Instagram: @ito_m__iu |
| Suhye | Stage Name: Suhye (수혜) Birth Name: Kim Su Hye (김수혜) Position(s): Main Vocalist Birthdate: December 13th, 2004 Height: 158 cm (5’2”) Blood Type: AB MBTI Type: ISTP Nationality: Korean Instagram: @sonorous_hye |
| Yeseo | Stage Name: Yeseo (예서) Birth Name: Kang Ye Seo (강예서) Position(s): Center Birthdate: August 22nd, 2005 Height: 157 cm (5’2″) Blood Type: A MBTI Type: ENFP Nationality: Korean Instagram: @yes_e0_0 |
| Gaeun (hiatus) | Stage Name: Gaeun (가은) Birth Name: Oh Ga Eun (오가은) Position(s): Main Dancer Birthdate: November 8th, 2005 Height: 165 cm (5’4″) Blood Type: N/A MBTI Type: ENFJ Nationality: Korean Instagram: @share0_0food |
| Serina | Stage Name: Serina (芹菜 / 세리나) Birth Name: Saito Serina (斉藤 芹菜 / 사이토 세리나) Position(s): N/A Birthdate: May 3rd, 2006 Height: 164 cm (5’5″) Blood Type: N/A MBTI Type: ESFP Nationality: Japanese Instagram: @_seriseri53 |
| Nagomi | Stage Name: Nagomi (和 / 나고미) Birth Name: Abe Nagomi (阿部 和 / 아베 나고미) Position(s): Maknae Birthdate: July 2nd, 2007 Height: 156 cm (5’1″) Blood Type: N/A MBTI Type: ISFP Nationality: Japanese Instagram: @wrld.s2.n72s |
Early Days as LIMELIGHT
On August 12, 2022, Gaeun, MiU, and Suhye were introduced as the initial members of LIMELIGHT. They released a pre-debut EP, Limelight, on September 29, 2022, before officially debuting as a trio on February 17, 2023, with the EP Love & Happiness.
On January 11, 2024, LIMELIGHT released their third EP, Last Dance, which was promoted as their final release as a trio. The group announced plans to reorganize and expand by adding more members.
Expansion and Rebranding to MADEIN
On May 10, 2024, reports emerged suggesting that former “Produce 101 Japan The Girls” contestants Saito Serina and Abe Nagomi would join the group, though 143 Entertainment did not confirm the news at the time.
On May 30, 2024, WAKEONE revealed that Mashiro and Yeseo, previously members of the project girl group Kep1er formed through Girls Planet 999, had decided not to renew their contracts and would depart from Kep1er. Following this announcement, it was reported that the two would join LIMELIGHT.
On July 15, 2024, the group was officially rebranded as MADEIN.
Controversies
On November 22, 2024, the JTBC program Incident Manager brought public attention to allegations that the CEO of an entertainment agency sexually harassed a member of a rookie girl group. Although the group and member involved were not initially named, K-pop fans pieced together the details through indirect references, leading to widespread speculation. Early on November 23, the agency confirmed the controversy through an official statement posted on the group’s social media accounts.
The scandal intensified when MADEIN member Ga-eun unfollowed both the agency’s account and Digital Master, the group’s general producer, on Instagram on November 11. Soon after, the agency announced that Ga-eun would be suspending activities due to health reasons, fueling rumors of internal discord. Further claims arose from a user claiming to be affiliated with 143 Entertainment, who posted details on the MADEIN fan gallery, many of which were later confirmed.
According to reports, the conflict began after a MADEIN member invited her boyfriend to the dorm following a performance. This was reported to the agency’s CEO, sparking a series of alleged events that diverge drastically between the accounts of the member and the CEO.
The member reportedly went to the CEO to express her desire to end her activities with the group. During their conversation, the CEO allegedly coerced her, saying, “If I grant your wish, will you grant mine?” He then proposed she be his “girlfriend for a day.” The member alleges that this conversation led to two hours of sexual harassment in the CEO’s office, followed by further misconduct during a movie outing.
The CEO denies the allegations, claiming the member herself proposed the “girlfriend for a day” arrangement. He also asserts that physical contact occurred solely as part of consoling the member. The agency claims to possess a complete transcript supporting their version of events.
Following the allegations, the parents of the members reportedly met with the CEO, who apologized but denied the accusations of sexual harassment. The parents also highlighted other instances of inappropriate behavior by the CEO, as well as the agency’s failure to uphold commitments to the group.
In a transcript leaked by Incident Manager, the CEO allegedly pressured all MADEIN members to express their opinions about continuing activities via an OX voting system, creating a coercive environment.
Despite the agency’s public denial of the allegations, Ga-eun’s subsequent actions — including re-following the agency on Instagram and liking its statement — have added confusion to the situation. Many fans, however, remain unconvinced of the agency’s innocence, citing the damning audio recordings and the CEO’s history of negative interactions with fans.
The controversy has left MADEIN’s future hanging by a thread. If the allegations are proven true, this could not only end the CEO’s career but also potentially dissolve the group. The incident has deeply shocked fans, especially those who followed members Mashiro and Yeseo from their Kep1er days, or those who supported Suhye, MiU, and Ga-eun since the LIMELIGHT era. Japanese fans of Serena and Nagomi, who joined MADEIN after survival shows, are equally dismayed.
Fans have also criticized the member’s decision to bring her boyfriend to the dorm, pointing to the strict scrutiny idols face regarding their private lives. Such incidents have historically damaged the reputations of idols and, in some cases, led to their retirement from the entertainment industry.
