VCHA Member KG Files Lawsuit Against JYP USA Alleging Exploitation
What is happening with VCHA?https://t.co/XRbZS5jzyN
- Teen Vogue (@TeenVogue) December 20, 2024
KG (also known as KG Crown or Kiera Grace Madder), a 17-year-old member of VCHA, a US-based girl group formed by "big four" company JYP Entertainment and American label, Republic Records (under UMG), announced her departure from the group in an Instagram Story posted on December 7, revealing she had taken legal action against JYP USA. The lawsuit alleges she was subjected to "child labor exploitation, child neglect and abuse, [and] unfair business practices" during her time as a trainee and member of VCHA.
Here are just some of KG's allegations against JYP USA (KM is KG using her legal surname initial).
1. On September 14, 2023, a JYPE dance teacher forced K.M. to repeat a strenuous move hundreds of times, causing a torn shoulder tendon. Despite her exhaustion, the teacher denied her water, allowing others to drink, and insisted she could only hydrate after mastering the move. This reflects severe abuse and violations of California laws and norms.
2. JYPE imposed strict control over K.M.’s life, from the early morning hours spent in school to the long, grueling rehearsals that stretched close to midnight. K.M.’s personal freedom, artistic growth, and even physical safety were sacrificed for JYPE's commercial interests, and the tricky terms of the contract ensured that she was not compensated for her efforts.
3. JYPE pressured K.M. to live in a group home, saying it was important for the group’s success, even though the contract claimed it was optional. She was afraid of the consequences if she refused and agreed to live there. JYPE chose an expensive $2.5 million house without her input and later claimed K.M. owed them $500,000 for it. Instead of paying her for her hard work, they took money from her earnings to cover these costs, forcing her to work for free while JYPE used the fancy lifestyle to attract more fans and make more money.
4. K.M.’s daily schedule was relentless, starting at 7:00 a.m. with three hours of school before rushing to JYPE’s practice building by 10:30 a.m. for training that officially ended at 7:00 p.m. but often stretched until midnight or later. JYPE staff pressured her to stay as late as 1-2:00 a.m., warning of “disappointment” or “consequences” if she left early. Despite this grueling routine, which allowed her
Despite their strenuous schedules, and even with injuries which doctors were aware of, VCHA members were constantly told "don't eat!" by staff because they would regret how they looked if they didn't lose weight.
TW for this section including link and spoiler text: suicide. These allegations and others are taken directly from this document and include screenshots of conversations between VCHA members. [Link to spoiler]K.M. and her underage groupmates faced intense mental and emotional pressure, with some resorting to self-harm. K.M. witnessed another member develop an eating disorder, which led to a suicide attempt in February 2024. After ingesting 42 Nyquil pills, the member began vomiting uncontrollably, and K.M. discovered it. Although K.M. and others had raised concerns with JYPE, staff dismissed them, saying eating disorders were common. JYPE also concealed the suicide attempt, instructing the girls to lie about it. Erik Winston later admitted that he was misinformed and told the member's condition was food poisoning. JYPE’s neglect of the group’s mental health violated child welfare standards. K.M. herself endured verbal and emotional abuse, including being publicly humiliated on her birthday during a rehearsal when a dance instructor called her a "terrible dancer" in front of her groupmates, causing one girl to cry. This type of abuse was meant to push K.M. to work harder.
Worth noting (maybe) is KG has no specific allegations against JYP of Korea and thanked them in her statements. JYP USA, however, immediately challenged her.
#VCHA member #KG's claims are "false and exaggerated," #JYP USA said Monday refuting the singer's argument that JYP Entertainment abused and mistreated VCHA members. https://t.co/1qv8i9Sito
- The Korea JoongAng Daily (@JoongAngDaily) December 9, 2024
KG responded on her Instagram:
I am very disappointed in the company's lack of accountability. My legal team and I are fully prepared with photographic evidence to prove my allegations are factual, not "exaggerated" nor "false".
She also thanked the public for their support and said she would continue to fight for better treatment of kpop idols and trainees.
Sources: 1 + 2 + 3