LE SSERAFIM's Kim Garam falls from grace
LE SSERAFIM, composed of (L-R) Huh Yunjin, Kim Chaewon, Sakura, Hong Eunchae, and Kazuha, will be moving forward as a five-member group. (Photo: LE SSERAFIM)
Source Music has announced the contract termination of LE SSERAFIM member Kim Garam after months of bullying and school violence allegations. Originally a six-member group, LE SSERAFIM will be doing future promotions as five.
The controversy was highly publicized after accusations broke out a month before LE SSERAFIM’s debut on May 2. Source Music denied these allegations in a statement warning that they would be taking legal action against false claims. Following more accusations, HYBE and Source Music released a joint statement of what their investigation had found thus far before announcing Kim Garam’s hiatus.
Trial by internet fire
As you can expect, netizens were brutal on the controversy. Korean online forums were full of people speculating about her past, including the punishments she supposedly received. Twitter was split into those who believed Garam was innocent and those who wanted her out. Videos circulated of fans leaving her out of the group’s fanchant. Fans commented on how a five-member choreography formation seemed better for the group. Logging onto Twitter felt like that clip from “Community” when Donald Glover walks in with pizza only to find the apartment on fire.
When her contract termination was announced, the fire got even bigger. Korean netizens speculated on what she would be doing now, from becoming a flight attendant because of her height and looks to becoming an influencer after a few years. There were memes of who would replace her, including boy group TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s Yeonjun.
I don’t have a solid opinion on the Kim Garam controversy. I shallowly kept up with the first few updates before moving on. I feel for her and her schoolmates who are now subjected to so much public scrutiny and the trial by fire of people on the internet. Whether or not she’s guilty of the accusations or she was actually the one bullied is not my call nor my business.
What I find odd is the lack of information coming from Source Music in their statement announcing her termination. Previously, HYBE and Source Music were very detailed in statements addressing the rumors. The lengthiest of which was from when they announced her hiatus on May 20.
While it’s likely that the agencies are acting cautiously due to the parties involved being mostly minors (Kim Garam is only 16), I can’t help but wonder if the decision to remove her from the group was done to save the group, company, and maybe Garam some face.
Stay fearless, LE SSERAFIM
What’s next for LE SSERAFIM? If the past two months are anything to go by, hopefully good things.
The rookie group has already won first place on four Korean music shows and was breaking chart records with their first mini-album. They’ve been featured in magazines, including personal shoots for Sakura, Kazuha, and Hong Eunchae, and their songs have gone viral on social media, especially on TikTok.
I loved the sound of “FEARLESS,” their debut mini-album. It’s a departure in sound for Sakura and Chaewon, who were former members of the project group IZ*ONE. I can’t wait to see how the group progresses in their music and careers as a group and as individuals. May life not be so sour from here on out.
