A major K-pop event in Poland is facing growing backlash after the announcement that MADEIN will be part of the lineup, with many fans once again raising concerns about the unresolved controversy surrounding the group’s management.

The debate traces back to late 2024, when serious allegations emerged involving former MADEIN member Gaeun. Reports at the time alleged that the underage idol had been sexually assaulted by the CEO of the group’s agency. While early media coverage did not explicitly identify the artist involved, details contained in the reports quickly led many fans to conclude that Gaeun was the alleged victim.

The controversy intensified in the months that followed. Gaeun eventually departed the group, while additional claims surfaced online suggesting that other members may have experienced inappropriate treatment. Although no court ruling has publicly resolved all aspects of the case, the allegations generated widespread criticism toward the group’s management and significantly damaged public trust in the agency.

Since then, MADEIN’s activities have undergone major changes. The group continued promotions with a reduced lineup and later rebranded its activities under the name MADEIN S. Fans also noticed that some Korean members appeared to become inactive, leading to further speculation about the future direction of the group.

The controversy returned to the spotlight this week after organizers announced that MADEIN would participate in the upcoming K-pop festival “SOUND IN COLORS: K-POP EXPOSÉ” in Poland. Rather than celebrating the announcement, many K-pop fans immediately flooded social media with criticism, arguing that the event should not provide a platform to artists managed by an agency still associated with such serious allegations.

Calls for a boycott quickly spread across multiple platforms. What makes the backlash particularly notable is that it is not limited to MADEIN’s critics or former fans. Supporters of other artists scheduled to appear at the festival have also joined the campaign, urging attendees to reconsider supporting the event unless organizers address the concerns surrounding MADEIN’s participation.

Many online comments have focused less on the members themselves and more on the agency behind the group. Critics argue that inviting MADEIN inevitably brings renewed attention to allegations that, in their view, have never been adequately addressed. Others believe event organizers should have anticipated the controversy and the negative reaction that would follow.

At the same time, some fans have expressed sympathy for the remaining members, arguing that idols should not automatically be blamed for actions allegedly committed by company executives. These supporters contend that the performers themselves may have little control over management decisions and should not be held responsible for the actions of others.

Nevertheless, the dominant conversation online has centered on accountability and whether K-pop events should continue working with agencies connected to major scandals. As the festival date approaches, organizers are facing increasing pressure to respond to fan concerns.

For now, neither the event organizers nor the agency have announced any changes regarding MADEIN’s appearance. However, the controversy demonstrates how deeply the allegations continue to resonate within the K-pop community nearly two years after they first emerged.

What was expected to be a routine festival announcement has instead reignited one of the industry’s most sensitive controversies, with fans demanding answers and questioning whether entertainment companies can truly move forward without fully addressing the scandals that continue to follow them.