On June 16, Management Koo officially announced that it had signed an exclusive contract with Kim Garam.

Regarding the background of the contract, the agency stated that it had been observing Kim Garam’s YouTube activities and saw both her potential for growth as an actress and her sincere attitude. The agency explained, “She has consistently continued training and research to improve her acting skills and has shown remarkable growth in a short period of time.” They also praised her dedication to self-development, highlighting her efforts in studying acting, English, Japanese, and guitar.

Kim Garam latest update 1

However, public sentiment surrounding Kim Garam’s return remains notably cold. The biggest obstacle continues to be her past school bullying controversy, which led to her departure from LE SSERAFIM just two months after debuting as an idol. Even before standing before the public as a member of LE SSERAFIM in May 2022, Kim Garam had already been embroiled in controversy over allegations related to her past behavior.

Her entertainment career, which moved forward before the allegations had been clearly resolved, ultimately came to an abrupt halt after it was revealed that Kim Garam had received a Level 5 disciplinary action in a school violence case. While some argued that both sides of the incident should be considered, the record of a Level 5 measure considered a serious disciplinary action by the School Violence Countermeasures Committee left the public shocked and deeply disappointed.

As the controversy intensified, Kim Garam terminated her exclusive contract with Source Music and officially left the group in July of the same year.

Kim Ga-ram

After stepping away from the music industry, Kim Garam launched her personal YouTube channel in March and began reconnecting with fans. Her first video surpassed one million views, while her channel gained around 270,000 subscribers, successfully drawing public attention.

However, YouTube activities and mainstream entertainment promotions are vastly different paths. The label of “school bullying” still remains a heavy burden hanging over her career. As Kim Garam embarks on a new beginning, a difficult road filled with significant obstacles appears to lie ahead.

Sources: Daum