Former MADEIN’s Gaeun Files Lawsuit Against Agency’s CEO For Violating Laws Of Protection Of Children + Agency Responds
Former MADEIN member Gaeun’s side has filed a criminal complaint against 143 Entertainment (hereafter 143 Ent.) CEO Lee Yong Hak for violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sexual Offenses and is demanding an official apology and termination of her exclusive contract.
On the morning of the 29th of April, Gaeun’s side held a press conference at the media union meeting room in Jung-gu, Seoul, explaining the allegation of forced molestation by CEO Lee Yong Hak and the background of the incident. The event was hosted by the Hanbit Media Labor Human Rights Center, and Gaeun’s mother (referred to as A), legal representative lawyer Moon Hyo Jeong, and former 143 Ent. A&R team leader Heo Yoo Jeong were present.
“I couldn’t protect my child… Demanding a true apology and expulsion”
At the press conference, Gaeun’s mother A said, “My child was a bright person who valued relationships with people. She dreamed of being an idol and was genuinely happy. Since graduating high school, the agency CEO called members separately under the pretense of counseling to instigate discord, and after graduation, physical contact became even more severe,” tearfully appealing.
A confessed that her daughter had sent distress signals multiple times, but she failed to recognize them properly, and eventually, her daughter experienced something unimaginable. Despite that, she explained, her daughter said she cherished the fans and wanted to continue group activities.
According to the mother, Gaeun’s side initially tried to handle the incident quietly by obtaining a written agreement from the agency CEO, but further interference from him only increased Gaeun’s stress. She said, “My child was suffering, saying there was a whistling sound in her ears.”
A also claimed that after the incident, her daughter’s audio recording was broadcast on the program Case Chief without consent, and that CEO Lee Yong Hak coerced her to upload a false statement. Expressing anger, she said, “Why does the victim have to act like the perpetrator?” She added that when it became impossible to expect idol activities or an apology from the CEO, they tried to at least receive a settlement to prepare for her daughter’s future, but that too was rejected.
In the end, she said, “We, powerless as we are, couldn’t fight to the end, and my daughter’s dream disappeared without a sound. I will forever be a sinner to my daughter. Now I truly want to protect my child.”
CEO Lee Yong Hak’s handwritten statement revealed… “Admitted forced molestation, but later retracted”
At the press conference, Gaeun’s side revealed a handwritten statement allegedly written by CEO Lee Yong Hak. In the statement were the words, “I sincerely apologize for the sexual harassment. Regarding future contract relationships with 143 Entertainment, I will take responsibility to ensure I face no disadvantages outside of my role as legal representative, and I will grant Gaeun priority rights regarding contract extensions and other agreements,” along with his handwritten signature.
Gaeun’s legal representative, lawyer Moon Hyo Jeong, stated, “We have submitted a complaint to the police in charge, and CEO Lee Yong Hak is currently a suspect. He is expected to be summoned soon. The core of this case is the violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sexual Offenses. The victim has secured various pieces of evidence, and a petition will also be submitted to the National Human Rights Commission.”
Lawyer Moon claimed that the victim was under 19 years old and a minor at the time, and that she was subjected to forced molestation and sexual harassment by CEO Lee Yong Hak. She also asserted that in the early stages of the incident, the CEO admitted and apologized for the molestation, but later reversed his stance by leveraging the victim’s desire to continue her entertainment career.
Former 143 Ent. Staff Testimony… “CEO Lee Yong Hak Showed Favoritism, Stirred Discord, and There Were Financial Issues Too”
Former 143 Entertainment A&R team leader Heo Yoo Jeong, who attended the press conference, said, “I heard from trainees that they were struggling because the CEO favored certain members. The CEO would show favoritism by saying things like ‘I like you,’ but in the end, it caused the members to be wary of each other.”
Heo further stated, “I asked multiple times that he stop discriminating between trainees, but nothing changed. A banner was even hung at the company demanding unpaid wages, and trainers’ payments were frequently delayed.”
Heo also emphasized, “In the past, there is testimony that CEO Lee Yong Hak demanded tens of millions to hundreds of millions of won from some trainees’ parents, and he also made inappropriate comments to trainees like ‘I love you’ and ‘Let’s date.’ If he continues to make distorted claims without an apology, we will release the evidence we have.”
143 Entertainment’s Official Position… “We Want the Truth Revealed Through Investigation”
Immediately after the press conference, 143 Ent. released an official statement saying, “We apologize that the representative of a management company has become embroiled in such controversy,” but countered that some of the claims made during the press conference were distorted.
143 Ent. stated, “The involved member’s side demanded a large amount of consolation money based on one-sided claims regarding an incident that had already been reported last year. When the demand was rejected, they filed a criminal complaint about six months after the incident occurred, which is also very regrettable,” suggesting that Gaeun’s side had made a financial demand.
They added, “There are many discrepancies between the involved member’s claims and the facts. However, since a police investigation is currently underway, we will actively cooperate with the investigation and correct the distorted parts based on objective data. We hope this situation leads to the truth being revealed and will take full responsibility according to legal judgment.”
Currently, Gaeun’s side and 143 Ent. are in clear disagreement. While Gaeun’s side is claiming specific details of the abuse and demanding CEO Lee Yong Hak’s official apology and removal, 143 Ent. is highlighting the financial demand and questioning the credibility of her claims. Attention is focused on which side’s claims will be proven true through the investigation.
Meanwhile, MADEIN is a multinational girl group that includes Kep1er members Mashiro and Kang Yeseo and officially debuted through 143 Ent. in September last year. The group was restructured from the 3-member girl group LIMELIGHT, which began activities in 2022, into a rebranding project group. Gaeun was originally part of LIMELIGHT before being moved to MADEIN.
CEO Lee Yong Hak previously worked with Masta Wu as the hip-hop duo YMGA and built his music career at YG Entertainment. He later established 143 Ent., where he currently serves as CEO and head producer. Besides MADEIN, 143 Ent. is also home to iKON.
Source: (A)
