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Le Sserafim Garam bullying row: Is HYBE protecting a chaebol? Fans discuss nepotism claims

After HYBE does everything in its power to defend Kim Garam, fans wonder whether Garam has big connections or is a chaebol or a nepotism baby

Trigger Warning: School Bullying

A lot has happened in the life of HYBE’s Kim Garam who recently made her debut as a member of the girl group Le Sserafim. As soon as she was introduced, Garam was surrounded by rumors that she was a school bully. While on one hand, label HYBE refuted all the claims by counterarguing that Garam was a victim of bullying, the rumors against her kept growing so much so that on May 19, a legal firm called Daeryum reported their side of the story on behalf of Garam’s alleged victim Yoo Eunseo. The statement caught HYBE off guard at first which eventually led to a lengthy statement from the label where they clarified the entire controversy.

Following that, HYBE released a new statement claiming that Garam was not an assailant but the scandal was actually a mutual argument. Not only that but on May 20, ahead of HYBE’s newest statement regarding the scandal, the girl group Le Sserafim as a whole had to cancel their group appearances on music shows that led to fans blaming Garam for bringing Le Sserafim down. Now, fans are claiming that Kim Garam has some connections in the K-pop industry which is why HYBE is doing its best to protect her.

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While there is a high possibility that Kim Garam is actually innocent in this controversy, there is no way for fans to make a certain statement unless more conclusive evidence is revealed. While neither party has released any evidence regarding the controversy so far, fans wonder if HYBE really knew about the scandal even before Garam made her debut. K-pop fans are not new to witnessing idols being accused falsely but fans have also witnessed labels dropping artists without a second thought like in the case of (G)I-DLE’s Soojin who was kicked out of her group years after her debut when she was embroiled in school bullying rumors.

Fans are now wondering if Kim Garam has strong influences in the industry or whether she is the daughter of a chaebol (a rich and influential family with rich ancestors). Fans are also considering the fact that Kim Garam could be innocent but they are adding that given the fact that HYBE is putting its reputation at stake to protect Garam, it is highly likely that she could be a “nepotism baby”.

A fan said, “I wonder why HYBE is fighting so hard and going all out for Garam. Makes me wonder what if she's really innocent and some malicious internet bullies are trying to ruin her career. HYBE is literally not backing out in protecting her isnt it not strange?” One fan responded, “Same thought. So im confused rn. Because Hybe is literally getting their reputation at stake. It's either nepotism or she's super duper rich or she's really innocent. I hope the court will release its conclusion soon. Before that, I won't talk abt supporting garam.”

‘Why is HYBE latching on to her this hard?’

More fans questioned HYBE's unfaltering support in Garam. One fan said, “Garam must be a nepotism baby because there is just NO WAY hybe would risk the entire group for someone that doesn't come from alot of money or influence.” Another fan said, “Still seeing people in the qrts defend her saying its only middle school like korean school bullies aren’t the antichrist in uniform miss garam gotta be so nepotism baby or something for hybe to be keeping her cause.”

One more fan said, “At this point kim garam must be a chaebol kid that comes from a family with tons of connections. why else would hybe go so hard for a rookie?? Idgi.” One fan said, “I think garam is a daughter of a chaebol or something because how come hybe is so fixated on keeping her in the group.”

One more fan added, “Seeing how hybe is doing everything to protect her and even called her the victim is either she's from a chaebol family who's paying hybe money so that they won't kick garam out since the new chairman looks like money or she has hybe's weakness def a nepo baby.”

One more fan said, “Yeah garam has to be a nepotism baby bc theres no other possible explanation for why hybe latching on to her this hard…. to the pt where they sue the victim smh.” One more fan said, “I really wonder what power does kim garam has that hybe lied and released a statement saying she's the victim when there had been countless allegations against her being a bully. i feel bad for her victims and her other members.”

Disclaimer: 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.