LE SSERAFIM’s “BBC” Article Takes Heat Over Mentions Of NewJeans, Kim Garam
An article featuring LE SSERAFIM has earned criticism for its content.
Recently, LE SSERAFIM were interviewed by BBC News and were featured in an article titled “The K-pop band who want to change the industry.” The article discussed different parts of LE SSERAFIM’s journey and how they want to change the idol industry.
In the first part of the article, the members of LE SSERAFIM and how they came to be in the group are discussed, with a mention of former member Kim Garam included.
There was originally a sixth member. Kim Garam appeared on the band’s debut EP, Fearless, but her contract was terminated shortly afterwards following accusations that she’d bullied students in school.
— BBC Article
Garam was removed from LE SSERAFIM early on after school bullying allegations.
In the aftermath of the controversy, Garam took steps to clear her name by publicly denying the allegations of school violence. She also shared documents about the school violence committee investigation, which she claimed proved her innocence.
Following complaints from fans of the former member…
Hello BBC News
First, thank you for writing this inspiring article for K-pop industry.
Because of incorrect information, we would like to provide additional information to prevent misunderstandings.
Please check the information carefully before publishing.#JusticeForGaram https://t.co/Gi4NGzmxdz pic.twitter.com/aemEgu0EtL
— 𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙘🍀 อุ่นงอนไรแม่ (@bluemamong) October 20, 2024
[ 📄 NOTICE] 201024 Regarding BBC’s last article
Serenes,
please kindly email newssiteerrors@bbc.co.uk with the following template.Subject: About recent LE SSERAFIM article.
Use the following tags: #BBCRespectKimGaram #GARAM pic.twitter.com/5v7jAePbxt
— KIM GARAM FANBASE (@garamfanbase) October 20, 2024
…the article was updated to include this information.
Others have found issue with a mention of NewJeans in the article, as well.
The article discusses how LE SSERAFIM would like to change the industry, going on to seemingly mention other groups that have also challenged the status quo.
Earlier this week, a singer with girl group NewJeans testified to South Korea’s National Assembly about the bullying she has faced at work. Last year, the 11 members of Omega X won emancipation from their contract following allegations of “unwarranted treatment” by their label.
— BBC Article
The article is referencing NewJeans Hanni’s appearance before the National Assembly, where she discussed HYBE’s treatment of her and the group.
Many found the article using her as an example to be in poor taste considering how initial issues between ADOR and HYBE involved LE SSERAFIM. Some felt the article was using the situation with NewJeans to promote LE SSERAFIM.
Not hybe trying to use hanni & Newjeans' situation to promote lesserafim 🫥… https://t.co/sT8vA8RGbK
— ddani (@ddan_jyk) October 20, 2024
What does this have to do with newjeans?? What is this nonsense?
How low is hybe gonna go? This is beyond shameless. Putting out articles like this as if they(hybe) are not the perpetrator of the bullying and the reason to why hanni even had to attend the sk national assembly https://t.co/UJKtgRymgR pic.twitter.com/ajAhtrsilC— Glish Montana (@GlishMtn) October 20, 2024
these motherfuckers trying to give lesserafim credit regarding Hanni and NewJeans speaking out about the mistreatment they experienced 💀
HELLLLLLLL NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH https://t.co/S0vJpavVgQ pic.twitter.com/xiv2KCuPgO— supernatural ✨ (@diorkitty_0515) October 21, 2024
