Who is madein?
a seven-member girl group under 143 Entertainment who made their debut on September 3, 2024 with their first EP RISE (상승).the group consist of the members:
• Mashiro & yeseo
(former members of kep1er)
• miu, suhye & gaeun
(former limelight members)
• Serina & nagomi
(former contestants of p101 japan the girls)what happened?
Trigger warning: Mention of Sex AssaultOn october 27th, it was announced that member gaeun will go in a indefinite hiatus due to "health reasons".Days later on November 11th, JTBC’s Crime Chief aired a segment alleging that a 5th-generation idol had been sexually assaulted by her agency’s CEO without the victim consent.

Oh Gaeun, who has now filed a criminal complaint against the company’s CEO, Lee Yong-hak, accuses him of sexual assault, emotional coercion, and manipulation that took place during her time as a trainee and member of MADEIN.According to claims made in a press conference on April 29, 2025, Gaeun was subjected to inappropriate physical contact under the pretext of “mentorship” and “counseling.” When she clearly told Lee to stop, the abuse escalated, and the company retaliated by withdrawing her work opportunities, monitoring her communications, and isolating her from friends and colleagues. Eventually, Gaeun was pushed out of the group against her will, and the company announced her departure publicly without her consent.Adding to the gravity of the situation, Gaeun's mother spoke out, revealing how the family had been manipulated by the company into silence. She shared how the CEO controlled Gaeun’s interactions, monitored her phone, and pressured the family into staying quiet out of fear that speaking out would harm Gaeun’s career. When Gaeun refused to support a false narrative from the company, they retaliated by abruptly announcing her departure from MADEIN, despite her still being under contract.This case has raised alarm not only about Gaeun's mistreatment but also about the overall culture at 143 Entertainment. Former employees have accused the company of exploiting staff by not paying them for their work, and fans have expressed concerns about the treatment of the group’s youngest member, Nagomi, who has been styled in ways many believe are inappropriate for her age. These incidents point to a lack of proper oversight and ethical responsibility in the company’s management of young artists.The broader issue here is the failure of 143 Entertainment to protect its artists, address allegations of abuse, and take meaningful action against those responsible. The company has repeatedly prioritized its image over accountability and artist welfare.According to publicly available corporate records, Lee Yong-hak formally resigned as CEO of 143 Entertainment on May 8, 2025. However, fans circulated reports of a person resembling him attending an event in Japan on May 9. While those sightings remain unconfirmed, concern intensified when the company delayed the public announcement of his resignation until May 31—raising questions about whether the timing was intentionally manipulated. Even more troubling, the official resignation announcement has since been quietly removed, and on July 31, Lee Yong-hak was credited as Executive Producer and Head of Global Business in the music video of another 143 Entertainment artist. This has further fueled accusations that his resignation was not genuine, and that he continues to hold significant influence and operational power within the company despite being under criminal investigation.The situation became even more alarming following a public statement by the Hanbit Media Labor Human Rights Center on August 5, 2025, which confirmed that:
- Lee Yong-hak is currently under police investigation following Gaeun’s criminal complaint.
- 143 Entertainment has not cooperated with the investigation.
- The company operated illegally, having failed to submit required business registration documents during MADEIN’s activities.
- It has not paid wages owed to staff.
- Despite his resignation, Lee Yong-hak remains involved in the company and has engaged in defamation against the victim.Meanwhile, concern has deepened after the confirmation of MADEIN’s first unit, “MADEIN:S,” set to debut on August 14. Fans were quick to notice that members Suhye and Yeseo were excluded from the unit, and no explanation has been given for their continued absence. The company initially cited “health reasons” for Suhye, later changed the explanation to “personal reasons,” and then quietly deleted that statement altogether. No information has been provided regarding Yeseo. Their absence from all recent content and official updates has left fans deeply worried.Compounding these issues, Lee Yong-hak continues to hold copyright ownership over MADEIN’s entire discography, raising concerns about the group’s ability to move forward independently, both artistically and ethically.As a result of all this, a growing number of fans and concerned individuals have initiated a global boycott of 143 Entertainment.This boycott is not just about supporting Gaeun — it is about standing up to a system that enables abuse, silences victims, and prioritizes profit over protection. It is about demanding justice for every artist affected by this environment and ensuring no young person is subjected to similar harm again.The demands are clear:
- Lee Yong-hak must be fully removed from all influence, ownership, and internal company involvement.
- Gaeun must be freed from her contract and protected from further retaliation or defamation.
- 143 Entertainment must be held accountable — legally, financially, and publicly — for the abuse and illegal conduct it has engaged in.
- The company must provide clear, transparent updates regarding Suhye and Yeseo and ensure their safety, consent, and well-being are respected moving forward.Until these demands are met, the boycott will continue.This is about justice.
This is about truth.
And this is about protecting young artists from abuse — now and in the future.

Justice for Gaeun

How can you help?

Donate

Every donation goes directly toward visible actions that demand justice and show support for Gaeun and the rest of the members of MADEIN. Funds are used for protest trucks carrying strong messages, support events to show our love, and banners or advocacy materials for protests and gatherings.We are committed to transparency and will update supporters on how donations are used. Thank you for standing with Gaeun and keeping this movement strong.

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petitions

• Ensuring the moral and physical safety of MADEIN
• Release MADEIN from 143 Entertainment

BOYCOTT 143 ENTERTAIMENT

Boycotting a K-pop company for mishandling allegations of a sexual assault case involving one of its artists is a way for fans to stand up for what’s right. It sends a strong message that the company’s actions—or lack of action—are unacceptable and that fans expect justice and accountability.This boycott is a way to support Gaeun, hold 143 Entertainment and Lee Yong-hak accountable, raise awareness, and push for systemic improvements. Fans care deeply about the individuals behind the music and won’t accept anything less than justice, respect, and protection for all artists.

HOW?