Ex-Employee Supports Hwayoung in T-ara Bullying Controversy: ‘The Company Overlooked the Abuse’

The T-ara Bullying Incident: New Revelations Spark Controversy

In a recent television appearance, Kim Kwang-soo, CEO of MBK Entertainment and former head of Core Contents Media, ignited discussions surrounding the infamous T-ara bullying scandal. He stated, “The victims 12 years ago were not Hwayoung, but the T-ara members,” which prompted immediate backlash from Hwayoung herself and prompted further debate online.

Amid the discussions, a netizen claiming to be a former employee of Core Contents Media, identified as Netizen A, stepped forward to support Hwayoung. In a post on the online platform Instiz, A claimed, “I’m here to reveal the truth about the T-ara incident. I was an employee at Core Contents Media during that period.”

Netizen A elaborated, revealing that Hwayoung’s entrance into T-ara was not solely based on her talents. “Hwayoung had a family member connected to a company executive. Initially, her sister was meant to join T-ara, but she handed the opportunity to Hwayoung.” This connection raised concerns among the existing members who found it difficult to accept someone who allegedly joined through connections rather than merit.

According to A, Hwayoung struggled to integrate into the group, frequently witnessing the strong personalities of the established T-ara members creating a challenging environment. A recounted witnessing instances of abuse, stating, “I once saw Hwayoung crying, and when I asked her what happened, she revealed that a T-ara member had physically assaulted her.” The testimony highlighted a troubling culture within the company during that era.

“The bullying was real,” A asserted, providing evidence of negativity within the industry. “There are still many within the entertainment scene who wield their power to mistreat others.” This testimony surfaced amidst reactions from netizens who expressed shock and skepticism, with some demanding further proof of A’s employment and involvement in the incident.

Kim Kwang-soo Discusses the T-ara Scandal on MBN’s “GO”

On November 9, Kim Kwang-soo appeared on the MBN show “GO,”where he candidly reflected on the ongoing controversy surrounding the T-ara scandal. He acknowledged the victims’ perspectives but admitted that his management was a significant factor in the group’s perceived victimization. Regretfully, he stated that this incident stands as the largest regret of his four-decade-long career in the entertainment industry.

During the show, Kim recounted a series of critical events, including Hwayoung’s injury that resulted in her absence from a concert in Japan and the repercussions from social media activity by group members. He shared a moment of frustration where he abruptly tore up Hwayoung and Hyoyoung’s contracts in anger, releasing them without restrictions, only for rumors of Hwayoung experiencing bullying to ensue.

“I believed T-ara had done nothing wrong and pushed for broadcasts, which led many to interpret my actions as misconduct,” he explained. The situation left him emotionally distressed when he confronted the impact of his decisions on the group’s trajectory. “It has been over ten years, but the memories of the bullying incident remain haunting. I regret how it affected these girls’ careers.”

Hwayoung Responds to Kim Kwang-soo

In response to Kim’s statements, Hwayoung took to Instagram on November 10 to share her perspective. She acknowledged being bullied during her tenure with T-ara, expressing that she felt immense pressure to conform as a new member.

“I was subjected to both physical and verbal abuse from the original T-ara members,” she claimed. She further revealed, “At the time of my contract termination, I had evidence of the bullying and intended to disclose my experiences at a press conference.” Hwayoung’s post has reignited conversations about the culture within K-pop groups and the urgent need for reforms to address harassment and abuse.

Source: Nate

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