MEAWW.COM / ENTERTAINMENT / K-POP NEWS

Is Kim Garam's bullying case resolved? OT6 Le Sserafim promotes in Japan

The 16-year-old was put on hiatus after former classmates claimed she was a school bully and assaulted students while HYBE states Garam is innocent

With more and more sightings of Kim Garam despite the Le Sserafim member being put on hiatus, fans think that she will continue to stay in the K-pop group. The 16-year-old idol had been accused by a victim of being a school bully and more former classmates had spoken up claiming that Garam would get into gang fights and physically assault students. While Knetizens immediately dropped her since school bullying in South Korea is vicious, some fans had still held onto some hope as her label HYBE had claimed that Garam was innocent.

But with Garam being cyberbullied and experiencing brutal silent treatment while promoting with Le Sserafim, HYBE decided to put her on hiatus till they resolved her case. There were reports that they had met with the accuser’s law firm to settle. While a majority of the fans want Garam out and the group to continue with just five members, that doesn’t seem likely. We first had an OT6 Japanese magazine cover in the second week of June with Garam in the center. Korean fans also spotted her going to HYBE for practice and giving out autographs. And now, she is part of some Japanese promotions.

READ MORE
Will classmate's past letter help actor Nam Joohyuk? Why legal action won't stop bullying rumors

Is Kim Garam back? Le Sserafim’s Japanese photoshoot has fans asking of her bullying case

Garam part of some Japanese promotions

On June 20, the Japanese music show CDTV shared a clip announcing that Le Sserafim would be promoting their track ‘Blue Flame’. The clip included Garam as well as it was prerecorded in May before her hiatus. Along with it, Non-No, the Japanese magazine that had the OT6 photoshoot before her hiatus, released individual clips including Garam’s. OT5 fans had first given the benefit of the doubt that it would be difficult to Photoshop out Garam who was in the center. But with the magazine releasing solo clips of Garam and CDTV not minimizing her airtime on the music show, fans think that HYBE is pushing OT6 Le Sserafim in Japan. With school bullying being similarly vicious in Japan, fans wonder if Garam’s case is close to being resolved.

‘Is Japan not very sensitive to school violence?’

Knetz were blunt as they made comments like, “If she's a pretty girl, I can understand why they are trying to drag the group down to the point of being cursed... but why? She’s not even the visual.” Another posted, “I don't know why HYBE wants to stay with the bully until the end, even though she doesn't have outstanding talent and looks.” One asked, “Is Japan not very sensitive to school violence? Or is she not well known abroad?”

One fan tweeted, “Really feel bad for ot5 lesserafim because source music just put out a statement that basically says garam will be rejoining the group for japan promotions and this could mean she could come back in korea soon and the girls are going to get boycotted once again.” Another said, “The way most pf le sserafim viral moments being ot5 stages Ijbol yall need to accept nobody wants your girl back 😭 thats crazy like how u gonna manage to get korean and japan gp turn against your back even crazily trended “garam resign” for days streak.” One wondered if the BTS’ J-hope and Blackpink Rose rumor was to divert the attention from Garam’s appearance in Japan, “Hybe creating a buzz with this dating rumour because garam is gonna make comeback in japan. They are diverting the attention again.”

Some fans were happy, “I keep noticing that le sserafim activities on japan always include garam and they didn't re- record or edited her. and thankful atleast I can see her.” Another said, “I've been getting good content from my girl thanks to japan.” One added, “I want garam to rest and tale her time but i also want to see her in japan too 😢 aaah.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.