From the audience’s seat, the K-pop stage seems full of bright lights, flawless performances, and the star-making magic of the industry. And yet, true K-pop enthusiasts truly understand that behind the scenes, a far darker truth lurks: abused power, young dreams exploited, and elusive justice, just like the sexual assault controversy between former MADEIN Gaeun and CEO Lee Yong Hak.
Now that Gaeun has made everything public through the press conference, this sexual assault case is no longer a hidden controversy happening in the background. So now, join us as we discuss this case as a critical turning point to raise more awareness against deep, systemic problems within the K-pop system. And let’s ask the world to pay attention.
Former MADEIN Gaeun VS CEO Lee Yong Hak Sexual Assault Controversy – What Happened?
Previously, in November 2024, a female idol Gaeun left her K-pop group, MADEIN within just months after debut. At the time, MADEIN agency, 143 Entertainment claimed that Gaeun had left the group for “personal reasons” and “overlapping circumstances.”
Prior to her leaving, allegations of sexual assault controversy had been swirling around MADEIN Gaeun and the agency’s CEO, Lee Yong Hak. But at the time, the agency strongly denied the accusations. Instead, they emphasized that Gaeun’s exit was unrelated to the rumors.
Yet fans and insiders quickly noticed troubling signs. Only weeks earlier, Gaeun had unfollowed the agency and its CEO, Lee Yong Hak, on social media. She was then placed on an indefinite hiatus, with vague reasons of “health concerns.”
Behind the scenes, however, far more serious events were unfolding. And despite the company’s desperate efforts to hide them, the story now eventually revealed.
Read the story: MADEIN Gaeun Left Group Following Sexual Harassment Allegations
New Evidence Surfaces: CEO Lee Yong Hak Hidden Apology Letter
The case took a critical turn on April 29, 2025, when a post on X (formerly Twitter) revealed a private apology letter from CEO Lee Yong Hak dated October 25, 2024, weeks before the scandal became public.
In the letter, Lee Yong Hak explicitly admitted to “sexual misconduct toward [REDACTED], a member of [REDACTED],” pledging to take full responsibility regardless of his status as CEO.
The apology, written before Gaeun’s hiatus and departure, obliterated the agency’s public denials. It exposed 143 Entertainment’s attempts to gaslight fans and protect the perpetrator rather than the victim.
Most importantly, it confirmed what many had already feared: that Gaeun had indeed been subjected to abuse by someone who was supposed to care and protect her safety.
Former MADEIN Gaeun Fights Back: The Historic Press Conference
On April 29, 2025, Gaeun, joined by her mother, her legal representative Moon Hyo Jung, and a former A&R team leader from 143 Entertainment, Heo Yoo Jung, held a courageous press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul.
Organized by the Hanbit Media Labor Rights Center and supported by activists from organizations such as Moms Politics and Culture Solidarity, the event officially revealed all the devastating allegations.
According to Hanbit Center and legal representatives, in October 2024, CEO Lee Yong Hak summoned Gaeun, then a minor, into his office, where he subjected her to three hours of verbal abuse, threats, forced molestation, and sexually degrading harassment.
Gaeun was under the age of 19 at the time, falling under the full protection of South Korea’s Act on the Protection of Children and Youth Against Sexual Offenses.
The press conference also revealed that after initially admitting to misconduct, Lee Yong Hak backed out on his promises to stay away from Gaeun. Instead, he allegedly issued a false statement that discredited her, facilitated Gaeun’s wrongful dismissal from MADEIN without prior notice, and severely damaged her mental health and career prospects.
The Hanbit Center emphasized the immense suffering Gaeun and her family endured during the months that followed. Despite Gaeun’s desire to continue her career, she was forcibly removed through unilateral decisions designed to silence and isolate her.
143 Entertainment’s April 29 Response: A Classic Corporate Defense
On the same day as Gaeun’s press conference, 143 Entertainment issued an official statement responding to the growing scandal. The agency expressed “regret” over the controversy but asserted that there were “many discrepancies” in Gaeun’s claims.
In a notable escalation, 143 Entertainment alleged that Gaeun’s representatives had demanded a “large settlement” based on “one-sided claims”—and that after refusing this demand, a criminal complaint was filed “approximately six months after the alleged incident.”
While the agency promised to cooperate with ongoing police investigations and asserted their intent to correct “distortions with objective evidence,” their counter-accusations raised concerns among industry observers and fans alike.
Critics point out that the existence of CEO Lee Yong Hak’s private apology letter severely undermines the agency’s credibility. After all, this letter has openly admitted the sexual misconduct even weeks before Gaeun’s hiatus.
Moreover, fans are also suspicious that the agency has now reframed the case around financial motives. This only misdirects the issue without addressing the core facts of the abuse or their failure in protecting young artists.
In the end, 143 Entertainment’s latest defense may buy them time in legal proceedings, but in the court of public opinion, the damage has already been done.
143 Entertainment’s Official Statement
“There are many discrepancies in the claims made by the member involved, but as the police investigation is ongoing, we are actively cooperating with the authorities. We aim to correct any distortions with objective evidence during this process.
It is unfortunate that the member’s side demanded a large settlement based on one-sided claims related to an incident reported last year. After refusing this demand, a criminal complaint was filed approximately six months after the alleged incident.
We hope that the truth will be revealed through this process and assure that we will fulfill our responsibilities according to the legal judgment.”
143 Entertainment.
143 Entertainment’s Broader Pattern of Neglect and Abuse
Unfortunately, the sexual assault controversy between former MADEIN Gaeun and CEO Lee Yong Hak was not the only issue. A deeper investigation into 143 Entertainment has now revealed a troubling pattern of misconduct:
- Mashiro’s unexplained bruises during a livestream were never officially addressed.
- Serina’s inappropriate styling drew accusations of minor sexualization.
- Unpaid staff members who worked on MADEIN’s debut without compensation.
- AI-generated music videos showcase artistic negligence over authentic creativity.
And yet 143 Entertainment insists on denying, deflecting, and erasing the issues. Instead, they silenced and blocked anyone who further questioned.
Former MADEIN Gaeun VS CEO Lee Yong Hak Sexual Assault Controversy: When Will K-pop Change?
Gaeun’s story isn’t just about one girl or one company anymore. It shows a much bigger problem that exists in the K-pop world, where powerful people like CEOs have too much control over young idols, and speaking up can mean losing everything.
If K-pop wants to keep growing on the world stage, it can’t just focus on perfect performances and pretty music videos. It also needs to take care of the people behind the scenes—the artists who work so hard to bring that music to life, especially those who are still minors and underage.
Thanks to Gaeun’s courage and the support she’s received from fans and human rights groups, there’s now a real chance to make things better. It’s a sign that today’s K-pop fans want more than just entertainment—they want a system that protects the people they admire.
At the end of the day, former MADEIN Gaeun should never have had to stand alone against the sexual assault controversy by CEO Lee Yong Hak. By standing up in the press conference, she may have given countless others the strength to demand the dignity, safety, and respect they deserve.
But what’s your take on this controversy? Please share them with us in the comments below.
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