This week, serious allegations were made against Lee Yong-hak, the CEO of 143 Entertainment, by former MADEIN member Gaeun. The claims — including inappropriate physical contact dating back to her teenage years, and subsequent retaliation when she allegedly pushed back — have sparked growing concern over how power and accountability function within the K-pop industry.

At a press conference held in Seoul on April 29, Gaeun’s mother, legal representative, and a former company A&R team leader appeared publicly to share their side of the story. Gaeun has filed a formal complaint with police accusing Lee of sexual misconduct, and an investigation is expected to follow.

According to her legal team, the incidents began while Gaeun was still a minor. What began as reportedly “light physical contact” allegedly became more uncomfortable over time. When Gaeun asked for it to stop, she claims she experienced consequences which reportedly included being sidelined from group activities and being placed under increasing scrutiny and restriction.

Her mother described a climate in which the company discouraged open communication between members and cultivated mistrust. “We were afraid that raising concerns would make things worse for her,” she said.

They also allege that the CEO personally monitored Gaeun’s contact with instructors and friends, sometimes visiting her residence late at night to inspect her phone. The legal team stated that Lee initially acknowledged some of his actions and apologised privately, but later denied wrongdoing.

This case first gained public attention after an episode of JTBC’s Scandal Supervisor aired in late 2024. The programme included a recording involving a girl group member discussing alleged misconduct by her company CEO. Though the individuals weren’t named, online speculation quickly linked the audio to Gaeun.

Her family has since confirmed that the broadcast included a recording of Gaeun which, they say, was aired without her consent. They described the experience as deeply distressing and said that, until that point, they had chosen to remain quiet in order to protect her privacy and future.

Following the broadcast, Gaeun’s departure from MADEIN was announced without a statement from her or clarification on the circumstances. Her family claims she never agreed to leave the group and had hoped to continue her activities if leadership changed.

Gaeun’s team is now requesting a formal apology, the termination of her exclusive contract, and plans to pursue action against the broadcast for airing content without consent. 143 Entertainment has denied the allegations and maintains that no misconduct occurred.

What this case ultimately reflects is not just one artist’s experience, but the broader imbalance of power that can exist in idol-company relationships. In highly controlled environments where reputations are tightly managed and contracts are long-term, it can be difficult for young artists to raise concerns or assert boundaries — particularly when leadership is involved.

No criminal determination has yet been made, and the investigation is ongoing. But as the case unfolds, it raises urgent questions about how allegations of misconduct are handled, and whether the systems in place truly prioritise the safety and agency of the artists they’re built around.