Two years after Kim Garam was kicked out of LE SSERAFIM, it was revealed that HYBE "sacrificed" the idol to promote the girl group.
According to the corporation's internal report recently leaked to the public, HYBE took advantage of Kim Garam's past controversies to establish LE SSERAFIM's position in the K-pop scene.
The group originally debuted in 2022 as a sextet including Kim Garam. However, she was later kicked out due to her alleged involvement in school violence during her pre-debut days.
At the time, the 16-year-old idol consistently claimed that she was innocent, but HYBE still made the decision to let her go.
After two years, it was implied that the corporation didn't do anything to solve Garam's case and actually used her for LE SSERAFIM's benefit.
In the documents retrieved from the National Assembly's state audit, HYBE highlighted the rave reviews Kim Garam gained when her photos were first revealed. They also pointed out the buzz she got for her controversial "tennis-themed" outfits and school issues.
In leaked photos, Garam was seen taking a photo with a chalkboard in the background with the written words "sex" and "I've beat IVE."
CONFIRMED.
— 람짱 // ʀᴀᴍᴊᴊᴀɴɢ (@thegreatgaram) October 28, 2024
Garam's controversy wasn't resolved conclusively because HYBE was anticipated they would 1) ultimately boost the group to be as popular as aespa and 2) they viewed a rivalry with IVE as favorable
(thank you @juantokki for the translation) pic.twitter.com/KP701K1EnP
-the company cleverly covered the real contents and only exposed the nuance that it recognised that she was a problematic student, giving power to aggressive students. However, this case seems to be a fabrication, not an internal company document. pic.twitter.com/vWsvJoQGoH
— KIM GARAM FANBASE (@garamfanbase) October 28, 2024
READ ALSO: Kim Garam to Make First Public Appearance After Being Kicked Out of LE SSERAFIM
However, rather than completely shutting down the rumors with no solid evidence, the label saw this as an opportunity to start a rivalry between IVE and LE SSERAFIM. They aimed to pit Wonyoung, Yujin, Sakura, and Chaewon against one another, who are all former IZ*ONE members.
They then used Garam and her rumor of being a former Starship trainee to make her the "rival" of Jang Wonyoung, while also making people's attention drift away from NMIXX Sullyoon.
With this, supporters of Kim Garam who trusted her innocence were extremely angered, as the truth was almost buried if it weren't for the documents.
They did not only call out HYBE but also Korean netizens who failed to protect the minor idol at the time. Here are some of the fans' reactions:
HYBE had no intentions of protecting Garam from false accusations that caused her to receive harassment online. Kpop fans went as far as sending de*th threats to her, she was only 16 years old.
— nil 𝜗𝜚 (@newjiram) October 28, 2024
They used her for noise marketing to promote Le Ssesrafim at the cost of her future… pic.twitter.com/8kSOxG2Ycz
HYBE used a 16 year old girl to promote their group. They allowed her to be sexually harassed and sent multiple death threats daily. They silenced her friends and family. Garam was used for noise marketing. They had no intention of supporting her. #JusticeForGaram pic.twitter.com/KntGjgHUWc
— . (@zhangjiTop) October 29, 2024
At the age of 16, Garam experienced significant sexual abuse and online harassment, caused by false allegations that hybe pushed to the point of it affecting her mental health. AT JUST 16??? HYBE YOUR GOING TO HELL AND EVERYONE ELSE.#JusticeforGaram https://t.co/Lpxxgg3VQw pic.twitter.com/JprkhKRpUh
— ri 𑁍 (@tokkiga) October 28, 2024
SERENES,
— KIM GARAM PROTECTION (@garamprotection) October 28, 2024
Following recent translations of HYBE’s internal reports it is confirmed that Garam was used for NOISE MARKETING purposes.
We speak for everyone when we say that Kim Garam was wronged and deserves better.
JUSTICE FOR KIM GARAM #JusticeForGaram #GARAM #김가람 pic.twitter.com/lcXrmooXot
Garam was painted as a bully and a liar by the adults she thought she could trust. Every single person failed her so miserably it’s actually appalling https://t.co/GMNua2PTjL pic.twitter.com/XyvnAXy5Vi
— Minjun || ಇ || fan account (@proud_serene) October 28, 2024
RELATED ARTICLE: Where is Kim Garam Now? Current Status of Ex-LE SSERAFIM Member After Bullying Controversy
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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz
