JYP Entertainment accused of child labor exploitation by ex-VCHA member KG

Earlier last December, KG of the JYP Entertainment girl group VCHA dropped a huge bomb in the K-pop world. As Koreaboo reports, she suddenly announced her departure from the girl group and released a list of a whopping 140+ complaints against her management, including accusations of child labor abuses. This is not the first that an accusation like this has been raised in the K-pop world, which is notorious for exploiting its stars.

KG, also known as Kiera Grace Madder, is an American singer who is best known for being part of JYP Entertainment's first USA-based girl group, VCHA, until her departure in December.

Image: iamkgcrown / Instagram

Born on June 17, 2007, KG is 17 years old and was born in Los Angeles, California, in the United States.

Image: iamkgcrown / Instagram

The process of how KG became part of VCHA was very highly publicized. She had participated in the reality TV competition 'A2K', which was organized by both JYP Entertainment and Republic Records.

Image: JYP Entertainment

According to Billboard, the purpose of 'A2K' was meant for both JYP Entertainment and Republic Records to select members for a girl group in the North American market, under the unique system in South Korea that had given rise to many successful K-pop groups.

Image: JYP Entertainment

An interesting fact about 'A2K' was that each of the contestants that had been selected to be on the show in its final lineup were contestants that had been personally handpicked by Park Jin-young, the co-founder of JYP Entertainment himself, reports Teen Vogue.

Naturally, KG's performance in the reality TV competition 'A2K' had demonstrated her prowess and suitability to become an outstanding pop star, which eventually led her to be selected to be part of VCHA and officially debut in 2024.

Image: JYP Entertainment

VCHA has not had a smooth entry into the world of entertainment since its debut. Member Kaylee took a hiatus from promotions and performing due to health issues in March 2024 and the group also had to cancel a scheduled performance at the Lollapalooza music festival in August that year, report Koreaboo and Teen Vogue.

Image: JYP Entertainment

The latest setback affecting VCHA was the unexpected news released by KG in December 2024, that she would be leaving the group. What was more shocking was the reason why, as Forbes reported as we know now, she has turned to suing JYP Entertainment for a variety of abuses.

Image: JYP Entertainment

The Korea Times had included more details on the complaints made by KG, which contained disturbing details about the “working and living conditions” of VCHA members, which had even led to an unidentified member attempting to take her life.

Image: JYP Entertainment

More was also elaborated on the unfair work conditions inside KG's lawsuit, where she had accused JYP Entertainment of exploiting her with the lack of fair remuneration for the amount of work she had to put in as part of VCHA, on top of “a massive amount of company debt” that she had to shoulder as a pop star under their management.

Image: JYP Entertainment

Bearing in mind that all members of VCHA have yet to reach legal age to be considered adults, Teen Vogue has also added that KG's lawsuit has accused JYP Entertainment of also violating child labor laws and that KG was a victim of “child labor exploitation, child neglect and abuse, [and] unfair business practices" during her time with VCHA.

Image: JYP Entertainment

Forbes has also noted that in response to KG's lawsuit, JYP Entertainment responded that her claims were “false and exaggerated" and dismissed all complaints made by the ex-pop star that were made against the agency.

Image: JYP Entertainment

Angered by the statement made by JYP Entertainment, The Korea Herald reports that KG is ready to substantiate her claims of abuse with "photographic and physical evidence to substantiate her claims."

Image: iamkgcrown / Instagram

KG's lawsuit has also drawn many supporters, including ex-contestants of 'A2K'. Koreaboo reports that among her supporters were Mischa Salkin and Cristina Lopez, whose open support for KG has led to even more speculation about the truth of the matter.

Image: iamkgcrown / Instagram

The case is under review by the courts, reminding us that K-entertainment is still known for exploiting its talents. Famously, three members of TVXQ, one of K-pop's top boy bands, sued their management in 2009 for unjust contracts that were comparable to slavery, sparking a big discussion on K-pop stars' working circumstances, reports The Chosun Ilbo.