Kiera Grace Madder (KG Crown)

     Suiside attempts, lying to others, and very difficult job conditions are just a couple things that JYP talents, people who work at the entertainment company, had to face. A hero rose up from this harsh environment however, and wants positive change to all entertainment companies, especially those who focus on K-Pop. This heros name is Kiera Grace Madder, better known by the nickname KG. KG was once in VCHA, a K-Pop group but then left in December, 2024 as a way of activism, raising awareness to potensial issues in the K-Pop industry and trying to make a change to all entertainment companies. KG has inspired other influencers and idols to take a stand with her against the industry and try to make lives for idols much easier.

     Kiera Grace Madder, professionally known as KG, was born in St. Louis, Missouri on June 17, 2007 and soon after moved to Michigan. KG has always felt a strong desire to music. When she was seven, she started a sibling band with her brother and sister. Together they performed Christian- pop music and performed in churches. As KG listened to more music she found a passion for K-Pop due to its unique sound, synchronized dancing and its particular style.  KG became a trainee for JYP Entertainment at an unsure time before her participation in a show named A2K. She was introduced as a contestant on A2K in the show's 3rd episode and finished the show in second place, therefore becoming a member of VCHA.

    JYP Entertainment, like many companies in the K-Pop industry, work with the people signed to them constantly. It is averaged that these people work 12-15 hours a day. There was also a lot of pressure for body standards and rude workers, that gave emotional and verbal abuse. Because of these hard working conditions that JYP had, a member of VCHA, Kaylee Seoee Lee tried to commit suicide by overdosing herself with drugs. JYP instructed the members to lie about the suicide attempt. KG however, did not keep this a secret, posting about Kaylee’s attempt, filing a lawsuit against JYP, and choosing to terminate her contract with them, leaving VCHA. This is heroism because KG quit her job taking a stand against all industries, especially those who specialize in K-Pop. KG filed a lawsuit against JYP that included controlling her diet, child abuse, and being forced to dance while being injured as well as being denied water and eating breaks. KG stated “The skinnier you are, the more respected and prettier you’re viewed. It’s ridiculous”. KG also stated that there were cameras everywhere in their house that recorded their conversations and everything they did. The members of VCHA also needed to ask JYP staff to leave and had to tell them what they were doing outside in advance. Kiera even had to ask to see her own mother on the weekends. Overall, KG’s sacrifice of her job was a real risk that could potentially put her in financial ruin. However, she was obviously willing to stand up and go against all entertainment companies. 

    In the end, KG Crown’s bravery, kindness and sacrifice revealed JYP’s secret and helped people find courage to stand up for themselves and others. KG today is just focusing on her singing career and has written a single named Bad, that expresses her emotions against JYP. Overall, if KG never stood up against entertainment companies, many of us would still not know about the problems they are causing and the problems people signed to them face.