MADEIN’s Gaeun allegedly sexually assaulted by agency CEO

In a shocking revelation on JTBC’s show ‘Scandal Supervisor,’ a fifth-generation girl group member revealed she was sexually assaulted by her agency CEO after expressing her desire to leave the group.

Though the victim’s identity was concealed on the show, social media users speculated it was Gaeun from MADEIN based on background footage. Gaeun, 19, is part of the South Korean girl group under 143 Entertainment.

In an audio statement aired during the segment, the idol detailed her harrowing experience. “I told him I wanted to leave the group,” she recounted. “He asked me to grant his wish in return—he wanted me to be his one-day girlfriend.” She described being forcibly kissed, groped, and touched despite her repeated refusals. “I said no, but he kept doing this for two hours,” she stated. She initially thought the meeting would be a casual outing but found herself trapped when the CEO locked the office door.

While the victim’s account painted a harrowing picture, the agency initially countered with claims of a consensual relationship. A lawyer for the agency stated, “She agreed to be his one-day girlfriend to continue group promotions.” However, the CEO later admitted to the parents of the members that he had “made a mistake.” The parents refuted this, calling his actions intentional, not accidental.

The controversy intensified as the CEO continued to be involved with the group despite promising to resign. Days after admitting wrongdoing, he was spotted at a MADEIN performance and later accompanied the members on a flight to Japan, sitting next to the victim.

Following these incidents, 143 Entertainment announced that Gaeun would take a hiatus due to health concerns. However, the CEO allegedly manipulated members by claiming the victim was both “the perpetrator and the victim” to undermine her credibility.

The agency’s legal representative denied the allegations, calling them “groundless.” They also argued over the legal definition of a minor, pointing out that Gaeun was 18 at the time, complicating legal proceedings under Korea’s civil law and the Children and Youth Act.

As social media pressure grows, Gaeun has deleted all posts from her Instagram and unfollowed the agency’s CEO, further fueling speculation.

MADEIN, created by 143 Entertainment, initially debuted as LimeLight on February 17, 2023, with three members: MiU, Suhye, and Gaeun. In 2024, the group was rebranded as MADEIN and expanded to include four additional members: former Kep1er members Mashiro and Kang Yeseo, along with ‘Produce 101 Japan The Girls’ contestants Serina Saito and Nagomi Abe.