VCHA’s KG leaves group, files lawsuit against JYP USA

KG, a 17-year-old member of VCHA, filed a suit in Los Angeles Court on 6 December through a legal representative against JYP USA Inc., a stateside branch of one of the "big three" K-pop companies, JYP Entertainment.

The following day, KG released a statement through her Instagram stories regarding the issue, announcing that she had decided to terminate her contract with the agency and left VCHA after making the decision in May.

“I filed a lawsuit because I have decided to terminate my contract with JYP Entertainment and exit VCHA after experiencing incidents of abuse and mistreatment by certain staff members,” her statement read.

In the lawsuit, the L.A.-based singer alleges a series of troubling experiences she and her bandmates faced at the hands of JYP USA staff, including physical, emotional, and mental distress; overtime work without compensation; restrictions on food and water; confusing contract terms; and witnessing a suicide attempt by a VCHA member, with little action taken by staff.

“I feel it was not a good environment for my mental health and apologize if my leave disappoints any of you. I am not in support of the working and living conditions that led a member to attempt suicide. Nor do I support an environment that encourages eating disorders and has caused members to self-harm,” she added.

According to KG, she enjoys songwriting and production but felt that staying in a company like JYP Entertainment would not allow her to become the artist she aspires to be.

The artist clarified that she does not blame specific individuals for the mistreatment, emphasizing that the problem is a long-standing issue deeply embedded in the K-pop industry.

“I hope that my leave can encourage the K-pop system to make changes for the better, in hopes of protecting the idols and trainees who remain in these companies’ hands,” she wrote in her post.