On Dec 8, 2024, KG, 17-year-old member of Vcha, a girl group under JYP Entertainment, filed a lawsuit against JYP for child labor exploitation, emotional and physical abuse, and unpaid labor. KG alleges that she and her bandmates faced troubling experiences with the JYP staff, such as working overtime, restrictions on food and water, and confusing contract terms.
Vcha is a girl group under JYP Entertainment with five members: Lexie, Camila, Savanna, Kendall, and Kaylee. KG left Vcha on Dec 7, 2024. This group was made from a survival show called A2K, America2Korea. After this survival show, Vcha debuted on Jan 26, 2024 with their first single album, Girls Of the Year. The group name, “Vcha,” comes from the Korean word “비춰” (RR: Bichwo), which means “to shine upon” or “illuminate.”
KG states that she worked 12 hours a day, earning $500 per week, which is lower than the California State minimum wage. She also added that she incurred $500,000 in debt for housing and training expenses. She described being forced to rehearse regardless of having injuries, including a torn shoulder tendon, which led to many more injuries. Hidden cameras were supposedly placed in their dorms, recording and monitoring their private lives. KG also revealed that a fellow member, Kaylee, who is 14 years old, attempted to end her life by consuming 50 sleeping pills. As a result, she went into a few-week coma, and the company hid it as a “health issue.”
However, on the other hand, JYP claims that KG’s allegations are “false” and exaggerated.” They also stated that this lawsuit is causing “significant harm” to the group since they were preparing for activities in 2025. The entertainment entity has also claimed that they had to delay Vcha’s upcoming activities and that they had contacted KG’s representatives to clear this issue. However, they have not received any information so far.
