Six male K-pop trainees, including one who participated in “Produce 101 Season 2,” have filed a claim of sexual harassment against a female agency official.

kpop trainee

On Tuesday, one media outlet said that a female representative from an entertainment agency has reportedly sexually harassed at least six male K-pop trainees. The plaintiffs filed an official complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office on the grounds of sexual violence and crime. In the complaint, the claimants detail one incident that took place last September while they were in Japan for a performance.

While there, they went to a sushi restaurant to eat with the accused female representative, (hereafter “A”) and the wife of her younger brother (hereafter “B”) who is an investor. It was during this time, that the A and B molested the trainees, touch their bodies resulting in them feeling humiliated and violated. Notably, one of the victims also appeared on the second season of Mnet’s “Produce 101.”

According to their claim, the trainees assert that A and B “exert strong influence” over them with one being a representative and the other having connections to their agency. As a result, they used their “status and power to suppress [the trainees’] freedom.” Because of the sexual harassment, the trainees had to seek therapy to deal with the trauma resulting from the incident, said some of their parents.

Meanwhile, A and B have vehemently denied the charges put against them.

“It never happened,” said a representative, adding that “what the trainees claim is absolutely not true, and the truth will clearly be covered in the courtroom.”

Their agency has been informed of the claim, and the trainees have applied for their exclusive contracts to be suspended. Regarding this, an agency official said that they understand that the trainees want to terminate their contract because of the sexual harassment charges. However, they “don’t intend to continue the contract with them” as well.

The company is preparing an injunction, a special court that compels a party to refrain from doing something, on the case. Moreover, it also plans to proceed with a lawsuit for damages and deal with their contracts.

 

 

 

Source

Translated by O.C

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