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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Kim Garam kicked out of K-pop group Le Sserafim after bullying accusations

Kim Garam kicked out of K-pop group Le Sserafim after bullying accusations

Published Jul 20, 2022 09:43 am

Kim Garam has been kicked out of the new K-pop girl group Le Sserafim after she became embroiled in school bullying controversies. 

HYBE and Source Music announced on July 20 that they have terminated Kim Garam’s exclusive contract. 

Kim Garam (Instagram)

The decision came two months after Kim Garam went on hiatus through an announcement on May 20 to focus on “healing” her heart. 

“We would like to provide you with information on the decision made in regards to LE SSERAFIM member KIM GARAM and plans for the future activities of LE SSERAFIM,” said HYBE and Source Music. 

It added, “Our company has decided to terminate the exclusive contract with KIM GARAM.”

“We extend our sincerest apologies to our fans and to those who have shown love and support to the group for causing you concern over the controversy involving the member. LE SSERAFIM will continue their activities as a five-member group, and we will spare no effort to support the group to grow further as artists through their music and performance,” the company said. 

Kim Garam, 16, was accused of bullying classmates in middle school. She attended the Kyeongin Middle School in Seoul. 

Source Music previously said the allegations were not true and that Kim Garam was a victim of cyberbullying. 

A document that allegedly came from the middle school was posted online showing the name Kim Garam as the perpetrator of school violence. 

An alleged victim, through a law firm, narrated about what happened to her. The law firm said the victim was subjected to school violence by Kim Garam and her friends from the end of April 2018 to the start of May 2018. 

After she could no longer endure the continuous bullying, she transferred to another school within one to two weeks after the incident. 

On June 4, 2018, a school committee gave Kim Garam six hours of special education in accordance with the law “Act on the Prevention of and Countermeasures Against Violence in Schools” while the victim received  psychological counseling. 

After the victim came out with her story, she received threats and ridicule from netizens. The victim attemped suicide and dropped out of school. 

The law firm said the victim did not want any compensation from Kim Garam or her agency but only apology and correction of their statements. 

“All we ask for is an apology and an accurate statement to be released. However, HYBE did not respond to any of our requests and Kim debuted as a girl group member while the victim is suffering psychologically,” said the law firm, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily.  

Related Tags

Kim Garam Le Sserafim bullying Source Music
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