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Le Sserafim Garam bullying row: HYBE’s recent statement leaves fans doubting label

HYBE Labels gives a detailed breakdown of the entire school bullying controversy from June of 2018 around Le Sserafim’s Kim Garam

Trigger Warning: School bullying

HYBE labels have finally come out with their official statement about the Kim Garam bullying controversy that is as detailed as it can get. The label has been under fire for the last two months for protecting Kim Garam, a member of HYBE’s first-ever girl group Le Sserafim which made its debut in May 2020 despite allegations against the 16-year-old member. Over the last few weeks, HYBE maintained its position stating that Garam was never a perpetrator of bullying but rather was a victim instead despite allegations with claims from alleged victims to prove otherwise.

After the legal firm, Daeryun made a public statement about Garam after reporting that they got no response from HYBE, the label asked for some time to compile their official statement. On May 20, a day after the original allegation from Daeryun and the alleged victim, Yoo Eunseo, HYBE released their official position through an extremely long document which has fans wondering if the original statement from the label that alleged Garam was a victim was true after all.

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HYBE finally released a lengthy statement about the scandal

In their most recent statement, HYBE first apologized for causing chaos with the controversy around Le Sserafim’s Garam. The label also claimed that the reason why they were keeping silent for a while was that they were concerned about the individuals involved in the scandal who are still minors. The label then stated that after distorted claims had been made online, that alleged that Garam was a one-sided perpetrator of school violence and physical violence over a long period of time it was only best for the label to undergo an in-depth investigation of the claims.

The label claims that the alleged victim, Yoo Eunseo had taken photos of female students from the school in a state of undress and had posted them online. HYBE stated that Kim Garam, who was a friend of the victim confronted Yoo Eunseo about her actions but there was no violence involved during the confrontation. HYBE added that despite Eunseo admitting her own fault, she did not receive any punishment for her actions but she alleged that Kim Garam and her friends had bullied her, eventually transferring to a different school while Garam and her friends were corrected and suffered the consequences with no fault of their own.

HYBE refutes all allegations against Kim Garam

HYBE then followed with a detailed story of the incident from June 2018 involving Kim Garam, Yoo Eunseo as well as the original victim who had her photos taken. The label stated that there are witnesses who can attest to their story that can testify against Yoo Eunseo. HYBE then went on to add that Kim Garam was herself a victim of school violence on not one but many accounts. HYBE stated that after this incident, Garam was not only falsely accused of bullying but was also bullied by fellow students who forced her and the original victim to join chatrooms where they were verbally agonized and were humiliated all throughout their middle school years.

HYBE then clarified all recent rumors that had been surfacing around Kim Garam one by one. The label refuted statements that alleged that she had transferred schools to save herself from bullying allegations or that she hit a student with a flower pot, or that she used to smoke and drink. HYBE also refuted the allegations that claimed Garam was escorted to the police station after being involved in a gang fight or the vulgar allegations about K-pop idols like BTS’ V (Kim Taehyung) from Kim Garam as well as the rumor of being expelled from Starship Entertainment and IVE.

‘Kim Garam said this’, HYBE is biased’

HYBE has now given fans a detailed account of everything that happened when Le Sserafim’s Garam was in middle school, fans are conflicted on whether or not to believe the label. While HYBE initially alleged that Kim Garam was a victim of bullying, they did not address the fact that Kim Garam had confronted the alleged victim first without having anything to do with the scandal herself. Fans are also not sure whether the label putting Garam on a hiatus now after the issue had blown so out of proportion so much so that the local news covered it. One fan said, “I am so upset after reading Hybe's statement. They are trying to shirk their responsibilities in the ugliest way they can.” One fan demanded, “Kim garam said..." "according to kim garam..." hybe are you fr????? you're literally one of the biggest company exist in sokor yet you're giving a report like that wtf. we need evidence.” Another fan supported the label saying, “​​If the so called 'victim' really did take those photos then the other statement must be true lol. you should know hybe is one of the biggest company and they will only disclose those evidence in court because of minors involved. its a fact proven by the other side's law firm.”

One more fan claimed, “You cant trust some one who said the school document was fake, and now suddenly its true. Hybe statement only mention Kim Garam claim, not from the school.” Another fan said, “Yup its agencys job to protect their artist, but this case is getting worse cos the evidence from the victim keeps on appearing, while hybe is always just a statement. If indeed garam is innocent, at least hybe must provide concrete evidence that proves her innocence.” One fan said, “According to garam" is not enough now to tell her innocent. Tell her to show solid proof like victim. If she was really protesting against yoo eunseo who captured nude photo of her frnds then why garam is punished?! Plz, bring out the truth from deep.” One more fan said, “Kim garam said" BIASED! of course she'll defend herself come think abt it if u were accused of being a bully when u are actually a bully would u admit that u are really a bully no! thats what she did and believe n thought we'll gon believe her.”

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