In 2022, Kim Garam, a former member of the K-pop group LE SSERAFIM, faced allegations of bullying and subsequently left the group. But where is Kim Garam now, and how has her life changed since the scandal?
The Downfall of Kim Garam
Kim Garam was accused of verbally and physically bullying classmates, causing an outpour of fan backlash and ultimately leading to her removal from LE SSERAFIM.
After the scandal, Kim Garam disappeared from the public eye, leading to widespread conjecture about her current activities and location. Although no official announcement has been released, it was suggested that she went back to school, only to experience bullying herself.
A post revealed a photo of a desk, allegedly belonging to Kim Garam, with her name tag and covered in obscenities and abusive language. It is uncertain when the photo was taken, but it highlights the challenges Kim Garam may face while attempting to reintegrate into everyday life.
The Timeline of Accusations and Garam's Departure from LE SSERAFIM
On April 5, 2022, Kim Garam's membership in LE SSERAFIM was announced, followed quickly by bullying allegations. In response, Source Music (HYBE) declared the accusations were intended to defame Garam and that she was a victim of school bullying, denying any rumors of her involvement in bullying.
On May 16, a photo of what seemed to be an official document from a school violence committee meeting implicating Garam as the perpetrator emerged, along with additional evidence. That same day, HYBE announced they were pursuing legal action against the slander and maintained their original stance.
On May 19, an alleged victim, represented by a legal representative, claimed they were forced to transfer schools and undergo counseling due to severe bullying by Garam and her friends. The victim subsequently dropped out of their new school, citing extreme anxiety, panic attacks, and a suicide attempt. The law firm warned that if HYBE continued to deny the accusations without offering a genuine apology, they would release the full text of the Autonomous Committee for Countermeasures against School Violence's findings, including an outline of the case. HYBE later responded that they would address their position after reviewing everything and that the shared information represented only one side of the story.
On May 20, Source Music declared that Garam would take a break from LE SSERAFIM activities due to the ongoing allegations, leaving the group to continue as a five-member ensemble. However, Garam was permanently removed from the group on July 20, 2022.
On August 10, Garam made her first public statement since her departure through a post on her friend's Instagram account. She denied the accusations, stating she had never engaged in physical assault, forced school transfers, smoking, drinking, or bullying. Garam also addressed the disciplinary action she received from the school violence committee, explaining that she had confronted a classmate, "Yoo," who had been spreading gossip and sharing inappropriate photos of other students. While she admitted that her approach was misguided and that she had made mistakes, Garam expressed her unwillingness to hate her past self. On August 11, HYBE responded, stating that further comments would be inappropriate due to the termination of her contract and that there was nothing left for them to say.
K-pop Industry and Bullying Scandals
Kim Garam's departure from LE SSERAFIM underscores the prevalence of bullying scandals in the K-pop industry. Bullying, a problem found across various sectors, is especially challenging in the intensely competitive and high-stress world of K-pop. Here, artists must comply with rigorous beauty norms and uphold a flawless public reputation. The call for transformation in the K-pop industry grows increasingly urgent.
Calls for Reform and Transparency
The scandals involving Kim Garam and other prominent K-pop figures have highlighted the necessity for reform and evolution within the industry. Both fans and industry experts are demanding enhanced transparency, responsibility, and support for artists, along with stricter regulations in cases where performers are proven to have engaged in wrongdoing.
In 2021, (G)I-DLE's Soojin faced a scandal when a netizen identified as 'A' accused her of bullying their younger sister. Kim Woojin, formerly of Stray Kids, left the group in 2019 due to bullying allegations but has since returned as a solo artist. Bullying accusations have also been made against members of veteran groups like AOA, T-ARA, and April, demonstrating the scope of the issue within the K-pop industry.
