LE SSERAFIM fans, we have some sad news: Kim Garam has been removed from the group and agency. On July 20, HYBE and Source Music released an official statement stating that the company has decided to terminate its exclusive contract with member Kim Garam, who was the subject of bullying rumors at school. According to the agency:
“Our company has decided to cancel Kim Garam’s exclusive contract.” We sincerely apologize to our fans and those who gave love and support to the group for creating anxiety over the dispute between the members.”
LE SSERAFIM will now continue as a five-piece group, and the agency will fully support the group’s efforts to progress as artists.
LE SSERAFIM supporters react to the departure of Kim Garam from the group and agency.
Shortly after the official announcement, the agency issued another brief statement apologizing for its handling of her abuse case.
According to the representatives:
“While the agency handled this situation and sought to take action with the utmost care and discretion, we recognize that certain parts of the agency’s approach were inadequate and we regret that.”
LE SSERAFIM fans reacted on social networks to the news of the idol’s departure from the group and agency. While some were disappointed, others believed it was in the best interest of the organization. Some were more sympathetic, noting that they hope the former idol has learned a lesson from this problem and that the victim will find the courage to move on with this pain.
Certain fans joked about the announcement that other HYBE artists, such as TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s Yeojun, may now fill LE SSERAFIM’s place and replace her as the group’s sixth member. To refresh our readers’ memories, Kim Garam was embroiled in rumors of school violence prior to her debut with LE SSERAFIM in April. HYBE and Source Music issued a statement at the time denying the claims, which began with an online community discovered by anonymous Person A claiming to be the victim.
At the time, HYBE and Source Music said the allegations of violence at the school were unfounded and threatened legal action against the star. Person A repeated the accusations that the former member of LE SSERAFIM did various things during her education, which changed the course of the case. As the claims grew, other people who claimed to be the idols’ old classmates came forward to provide alleged evidence that Kim Garam was the perpetrator of the school’s violence.
kim garam such a heartbreaker maan i know i did some research about it
— Wony 💙🤍 (@baekseth) July 20, 2022
Afterwards, HYBE and Source Music announced that she would be taking a three-week break from promotional activities. She is now officially fired from LE SSERAFIMA and the agency. This is surprising because the agency also said in May that it would not remove the member. The organization will now continue to operate as a five-person group.
Who exactly is LE SSERAFIM?
The group’s name is an anagram of “I’m Fearless”, and it currently has five members: Sakura, Kim Chae-won, Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha and Hong Eun-chae, after the departure of member Kim Garam. On May 2, 2022, they debuted with the release of their first EP, Fearless.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education