MADEIN Faces Allegations of Sexual Assault and Physical Abuse from Agency Experience

The girl group MADEIN is capturing significant attention, particularly due to the inclusion of two former Kep1er members, Mashiro and Yeseo. However, since their debut under 143 Entertainment, the group has been embroiled in controversies surrounding poor management practices and serious allegations of abuse, including sexual assault and physical mistreatment.

A comprehensive overview of the grievances against MADEIN’s agency has been compiled by Protect MADEIN, highlighting numerous troubling incidents that have raised serious concerns among fans and the public alike.

Allegations of Sexual Assault

On November 22, a damning segment aired on JTBC’s “Scandal Supervisor,” implicating the CEO of an unnamed 5th-generation idol’s agency in sexual assault. Speculation quickly pointed to MADEIN, with former member Gaeun rumored to be the victim.

Reports suggest that during an alleged incident, Gaeun’s resistance to advances was disregarded, forcing her to endure two hours of harassment. Under pressure to maintain her status within the group, she reluctantly accepted a date with the CEO of DIGITAL MASTA. This encounter reportedly escalated to her being trapped in his office, groped, and kissed against her will while at a movie theater. After Gaeun’s parents confronted him, the CEO initially denied the allegations before later admitting to a “mistake.”

Despite these serious claims, 143 Entertainment has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, attempting to distance themselves from the situation by erasing Gaeun’s presence from official sites and threatening legal ramifications. Compounding the controversy, member Yeseo was seen engaging with fans particularly critical of the agency, further stirring doubt about 143 Entertainment’s credibility.

In a show of solidarity, fans have resorted to organizing a truck protest demanding a thorough investigation into the allegations, although their appeals seemingly have had little effect.

Concerns Over Physical Abuse

On October 27, member Mashiro drew attention during a livestream due to visible bruises, prompting immediate concern from fans regarding her well-being. Despite requests for clarification, 143 Entertainment failed to respond adequately.

Rather than addressing the alarming situation, the agency chose to mask Mashiro’s bruises with a hand band during a concert, framing it as part of her outfit. This decision drew further outrage from fans, underscoring a pattern of neglect regarding the members’ welfare.

Inappropriate Sexualization of a Minor

Concerns over the treatment of the group intensified on October 4 when Serina, a minor member, faced unwanted sexualization for wearing safety shorts deemed inappropriate by industry standards. Stylists are typically aware of the guidelines surrounding this matter.

In response to fan outrage, requests were made for 143 Entertainment to edit or remove the problematic video segment. However, the company failed to respond, leaving the controversial content unchanged.

Issues with Agency Management

The overall management practices of 143 Entertainment have come under fire for exploitative actions and unprofessional conduct. The debut music video for MADEIN’s track “UNO” gained notoriety for its reliance on AI-generated content, attracting criticism for its lack of emotional resonance. The CEO later acknowledged the shortcomings but promised a re-edit that ultimately failed to satisfy the fans.

Furthermore, reports surfaced on December 28 indicating that the agency had not compensated over 40 staff members for their contributions to the debut music video, highlighting a troubling trend of exploitative labor practices.

As fans grew increasingly aware of unpaid wages and financial mismanagement at 143 Entertainment, the agency began blocking users on social media who sought clarification, indicating a troubling lack of transparency. Following Gaeun’s deletion of Instagram posts and her decision to unfollow the agency in November, 143 Entertainment placed her on an indefinite hiatus for purported “health reasons,” later resulting in her removal from the group and the deletion of her solo content.

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