VCHA’s KG Exits Group With JYP USA Lawsuit Alleging Child Labor Abuse

JYP USA Inc., a stateside branch of billion-dollar K-pop company JYP Entertainment that’s delivered some of the scene’s most successful and internationally recognized artists, was sued in Los Angeles county court on Friday, December 6, by Tracey Madder, a guardian representing a minor reference in the court documents by the name K.M. The minor was identified as KG, a 17-year-old member of JYP Entertainment’s girl group VCHA, through a legal representative and, the following day, via a statement shared on her Instagram account.

In the suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the complaint claims that KG — also known as KG Crown — suffered from child labor exploitation, child neglect and abuse, unfair business practices, and for breach and rescission of an unconscionable contract for the services of a minor. The L.A.-based singer alleges a series of troubling experiences that she and her band mates faced from JYP USA staff in the suit including physical, emotional and mental distress, overtime work without compensation, restrictions on food and water, confusing contract terms, and experiencing a suicide attempt by a VCHA member with little action done by those staff members in charge.

KG shared with the public on Saturday, December 7, that she has terminated her contract and exited the group after deciding 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,” KG shared in a post via her Instagram Story. “I feel it was not a good environment for my mental health and apologize if my leave disappoints any of you. 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.”

“I made this decision back in May and am still waiting for release from my contract,” she continues. “I am worried for the girls who remain in VCHA, my friends, who I truly love and care for. I also realized if I remain at JYP Entertainment, I am not able to become the artist l aspire to be, as I really enjoy songwriting and production. I have accumulated a massive amount of company debt, while being paid very little for the intense work and extreme limitations on our personal lives. Although such incidents occurred, there were also beautiful moments.

“I’d like to thank J.Y Park, company executives, and staff for believing in me and the exceptional training. I do not blame anyone for the treatment endured, but feel this is an issue that lies deep embedded in the K-Pop industry. I am grateful for the friendships I made and the incredible opportunity to perform for a global audience. Thank you V-lights for your love and support, and I ask you to continue to shine your support towards VCHA, regardless of my absence. I’ve grown a love for Korean culture and K-Pop music. In the future, I will continue making music in this genre, but not under these circumstances. 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.”

A counsel statement from Jeremiah D. Graham, the attorney representing KG’s case through JD Graham Legal, was also shared:

The heart of this case is a response to JYP USA Inc.’s insistence that they can control KG’s career and life, and prevent her from working under the threat of liquidated damages if she so much as publishes a personal post on social media. She has been involuntarily silenced for too long. KG’s rights as a young artist in the entertainment industry must be upheld.

The lawsuit alleges that JYP USA Inc.’s actions violated California’s robust labor, employment, and contract protections for minors. By seeking both monetary and injunctive relief, KG aims to safeguard her future career, preserve her creative autonomy, and ensure that no other emerging talent suffers under similar conditions. We trust that the Court will uphold the principles of fairness and accountability upon which California’s entertainment and labor laws are founded.”

Requests for comments from JYP USA representatives and PR representatives for VCHA were not returned by press time. VCHA, JYP Entertainment, nor the group’s U.S. record label Republic Records have made a public statement at this time.

Created from a first-of-its-kind reality show audition program, VCHA is a six-member, U.S.-based girl group born from A2K (standing for America to Korea) that saw JYP Entertainment’s founder and namesake producer J.Y. Park going across the States to find talent for a globally focused girl group with K-pop’s infamously rigorous training as a base that would be a joint venture between JYPE and U.S. label Republic Records.

The 22-episode YouTube series whittled down 11 teenage hopefuls from the United States and Canada through challenges focused on vocals, dancing, character, and star quality before Park selected the final sextet. Before her exiting, KG joined members Lexus of Milwaukee, currently 19; Camila from Montreal, Canada, 19; Savanna of Fort Lauderdale, 18; Kendall from Fort Worth, TX, 18; and Kaylee from Philadelphia, who is the youngest at 15.

Following A2K’s conclusion, VCHA began releasing music in September 2023 with their SeVit (NEW LIGHT) EP that included three songs including the single “Y.O.Universe,” performed on K-pop music programs in Korea.

VCHA’s latest release, the March digital single “Only One,” was followed by mostly silence including the unexplained cancellation of the group’s announced performance at Lollapalooza 2024 in August. (Republic Records nor PR representatives for VCHA responded to a request for comment on the situation at the time.)

The lack of activities, KG’s announcement indicating she attempted to leave the company in May, and the 77-page lawsuit paint a picture of what suddenly stopped the promising group.

KG of VCHA’s Allegations in JYP USA Lawsuit

Key allegations from the lawsuit filed on behalf of KG (who is noted as K.M. in the complaint) include he following.

Physical and emotional abuse: KG claims to have suffered injuries, including a torn shoulder tendon from excessive rehearsals without access to medical care or recovery time. The VCHA members were allegedly forced to perform through injuries and illness under threat of consequences.

The lawsuit details the following example:

“On or around September 14, 2023, during a dance rehearsal, K.M. was singled out by a dance instructor for her lack of formal dance training. The instructor, yelling in the Korean language, demanded K.M. repeat a single dance move hundreds of times without rest while K.M. was forced to hold a squat position. K.M., in visible pain and exhaustion was denied a water break that all of the other girls received. The instructor told her she could only drink water when she perfected the move. 29.

“The hours of forced repetition caused K.M. to tear a tendon in her shoulder. The pain was excruciating, yet the company continued to force her to work through the injury, refusing to allow her adequate time to recover. K.M. was later went to the hospital and received injections for her shoulder but was expected to return to full dance training immediately. 30.

“This was not an isolated incident. Throughout her time at JYPE, K.M. and other members of VCHA were repeatedly forced to dance and perform with severe injuries, including sprained ankles, strained muscles, and other conditions. K.M.’s doctors recommended rest, but JYPE ignored these recommendations, insisting she continue performing at full capacity. During one evaluation, K.M.’s leg injury was severe, and she asked staff is she could ‘take it easy.’ She was told, ‘No.’ JYPE staff continued to get her multiple injections while she was expected to keep performing.”

Unpaid labor: With 12+ hour days, KG says she was paid $500 weekly, which is far below California’s minimum wage. After her time with VCHA, she shared that she owed $504,543, with expenses stemming from the group’s lavish living expenses.

Per California labor laws, a minor is legally entitled to earn the state’s minimum wage of $10.50 per hour in most caes.

The lawsuit includes the following details:

“Over a six-month period, JYPE paid K.M. just $500 per week, an amount shockingly below the California minimum wage, considering the 12+ hours per day K.M. was required to work. In addition to underpayment, JYPE saddled K.M. with $500,000 in debt for “company expenses,” an oppressive financial burden on a minor.

“While the Agreement specifies that group living was ‘optional,’ it was not presented that way to K.M. She was pressured to live there by JYPE staff, leaving her with a fear of negative repercussions if she did not. She was told by JYPE staff, ‘We want the girls to live together,’ that the group would not be successful if the girls didn’t live together, that it was important for the girls to live together, and that if K.M. did not live with the girls she’d be viewed in a negative way. And when she agreed to JYPE’s demand that she live with the girls, because she was reasonably afraid about what would happen if she chose not to live with them, she was not given any choice about what the group accommodations would be—JYPE chose a $2.5 million house. The result of this—JYPE now claims that K.M. owes them $500,000 under the Employment Agreement…because the exorbitant lifestyles that they fund are what JYPE uses to attract fans.”

Hidden surveillance: KG’s lawsuit claims that undisclosed cameras monitored members’ private lives, leading to strict control over their movements, diets, and communications.

The following claim is also included in the lawsuit:

“JYPE also imposed constant surveillance on K.M. and her fellow group members. Hidden cameras, including one in the group’s dining area, that on information and belief had an 8 Megapixel camera, with a 120-degree wide angle lens, recorded the girls’ private conversations and meals without their consent or knowledge. A surveillance sticker found on the ceiling of the pantry further revealed that their eating habits were being monitored around the clock. K.M. only discovered the cameras months after they had been installed, deepening her feelings of being trapped, controlled, and powerless.”

Mental health neglect: KG reportedly endured verbal abuse, extreme pressure to conform to body standards, and inadequate support for mental health struggles, including the concealing and dismissal of a suicide attempt by another member by the JYPE staff.

“K.M. and her fellow group members, many of whom were underage, struggled mentally and emotionally under the constant pressure. Some of the members resorted to self-harming. K.M. witnessed another member of the group spiral into a deep eating disorder, which culminated in a suicide attempt in February 2024. That member ingested 42 pills of Nyquil in an event that K.M. discovered when the other member began vomiting uncontrollably the next morning. Months prior, K.M. and other members had brought their concerns about this particular member to JYPE staff, but JYPE staff did not seem concerned and stated that eating disorders were common. JYPE concealed the member’s suicide attempt from [JYPE’s child welfare worker] Erik Winston and the other staff, instructing K.M. and the other girls to lie to Erik and claim the member went home to spend time with her family. Erik since admitted on a phone call with K.M. and her mother that he was not informed about the member’s suicide attempt, but was told by JYPE staff that the member suffered from food poisoning.”

Negligence and overtime violations : As one of two of VCHA’s members under 18 at their time of debut, KG was still attending school and had alluded in a Billboard interview to the difficulty in juggling schoolwork and the team.

According to California law, minors are restricted to work a maximum of four hours per day on any school day and eight hours on any non-school day or on any day preceding a non-school day. Altogether, children can work up to 48 hours per week.

KG says she was not compensated for her additional hours worked.

“JYPE regularly forced K.M. to work until almost midnight, knowing that she had to wake up before 7:00 a.m. the next day for school, and start working again shortly after school ended (school ended at 10:00 a.m., work started again at 10:30 a.m.). This is a grueling schedule for an adult, with no free time and, at most, six hours to sleep (factoring in time to return home, prepare for bed after finishing work late, and to wake up and get ready for the day prior to starting against at 7:00 a.m.). She was also not compensated for any of the work she did after 6:30 p.m.”

JYP’s Recent Comments on VCHA

KG’s lawsuit news comes less than a month after J.Y. Park himself had spoken positively about VCHA’s future.

Park spoke at a Los Angeles press event in late November, bringing up VCHA’s unique identity. “I wanted to make sure they’re not K-pop as far as music and visuals,” he stated, outlining plans for a more localized approach with U.S. creative teams. Park projected VCHA’s full activities to resume in 2025, calling the delay necessary for crafting their distinct identity.

“We are preparing for full activities next year for VCHA,” Park had told reporters who gathered for the 2024 MAMA Awards that took place at the Dolby Theater. “Our plan is to differentiate this group from our existing K-pop artists with special and unique contents. The prep period is taking a little longer than usual because the preparation effort is taking longer than expected.”

Park shared additional aspects of his vision for VCHA in a follow-up question that asked if all six members would continue together—likely stemming from the March announcement that member Kaylee would take a hiatus due to a health condition.

“Even though they’re produced by a K-pop company, I don’t want them to be K-pop,” Park shared without mentioning the specific members. “I want them to be what they are. They’re not born and raised in Korea; they’re not influenced by Korean culture. They are talented kids who are born and raised here [in the United States]. We are trying to make sure the next upcoming album is themselves. Unlike our K-pop and Korean artists, I think the creative teams will be a combination with American producers, musicians, choreographers, and making sure it’s them. It’s going to be very different. The new music, the album, the new video will be very different from JYP.”

While these comments may juxtaposed what was alleged in the lawsuit, J.Y. Park was one of the specific names KG thanked in her statement.

The news has prompted a significant social media response from VCHA fans as well as K-pop and music fans. Fans are using the phrases #FightingforVCHA, #WeLoveYouKG, and #AlwaysWithKG, as is Tracy Madder, the guardian who filed the lawsuit on behalf of KG.

This is a developing story.