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| Kim Ga-ram, a former member of K-pop girl group Le Sserafim / Courtesy of Source Music |
By Dong Sun-hwa
K-pop girl group Le Sserafim has kicked out its member Kim Ga-ram after she was accused of bullying other students while in middle school.
Le Sserafim's management company, Source Music ― a label under Hybe that represents K-pop megastars BTS ― announced Wednesday that it terminated its exclusive contract with Kim.
"We offer our sincere apology for causing inconvenience to the group's fans and many other people due to the controversy surrounding Kim," the company said in a statement. "From now on, Le Sserafim will continue its musical activity as a five-member group (comprising Kim Chae-won, Sakura, Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha and Hong Eun-chae). We will give our utmost support to the quintet so that it can take a leap forward in its career."
Shortly before Le Sserafim's debut in May, some internet users raised the bullying allegations against the 16-year-old singer, but Source Music denied the accusations, insisting she was actually a victim of bullying. The allegations resurfaced after a photo ― which was believed to be of a school document ― labeling her as the perpetrator of violence was revealed online, but Source Music said its stance did not change, adding that it would initiate legal action in response to the "rumors."
Le Sserafim is the first girl group formed by Hybe, which debuted in May with the album "Fearless." According to album tracker Hanteo Chart, fans bought more than 300,000 copies of the debut album during the first week of its release ― the highest recorded sales for any K-pop girl group.
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