Ryu Hwayoung Responds to Former T-ara CEO Kim Kwang-soo: Claims of Physical and Verbal Abuse by T-ara Members

Ryu Hwayoung Addresses Bullying Allegations Within T-ara

Ryu Hwayoung, the former member of the popular K-pop group T-ara, has openly confirmed that the bullying allegations she faced from fellow members were indeed genuine. This revelation has reignited discussions surrounding the notorious bullying scandal that emerged over a decade ago.

Background on the Scandal

On November 9, Kim Kwang-soo, the CEO of T-ara’s previous agency, discussed the incident during his appearance on MBN’s Let’s Go Season 3. He recounted an incident when Hwayoung suffered a minor ankle injury during a music show. Although doctors assessed her injury as minor, the other T-ara members felt overlooked when Hwayoung performed without proper rehearsal prior to a concert in Japan. This led to tension among the group, culminating in demands for an apology from Hwayoung.

Aftermath of the Incident

In reaction to the growing discord, Kim Kwang-soo decided to terminate Hwayoung and her sister Hyoyoung’s contracts, suggesting they should pursue solo careers. This decision inadvertently intensified the bullying rumors, negatively affecting T-ara’s public perception. Despite the families of the members discussing the possibility of releasing a recording of private conversations to clarify matters, Kim opted against it out of concern for the sisters’ futures.

Hwayoung Speaks Out

On November 10, a day after the CEO’s remarks, Ryu Hwayoung took to social media to refute Kim’s narrative, feeling the need to clarify her experiences. She stated, “Firstly, the bullying allegations are true, and any claims suggesting that I feigned victimhood are incorrect. I joined T-ara with the hope of fitting in well, but I endured both physical and verbal abuse from the members.” Hwayoung expressed that despite her efforts to reconcile with the group after her injury, she was met with hostility.

Clarifications on Allegations

Addressing accusations regarding her personal care, she clarified, “While it is true that I had my nails done, this was a common practice for T-ara during our promotions in Japan. My nail appointment was merely to repair a broken nail before a performance.”

Furthermore, Hwayoung revealed that she had documentation to support her claims of bullying when her contract was terminated. She initially planned a press conference to publicly share her experiences. However, Kim Kwang-soo offered to release her sister from her contract if she chose to remain silent. At that time, Hwayoung, only 20 years old, believed complying was the best option, ultimately departing from T-ara without receiving an apology and enduring silence for the past 12 years.

Final Thoughts

Hwayoung concluded her statement by questioning why Kim Kwang-soo chose to revisit this issue after so many years. “I may currently lack representation and understand the challenges in opposing someone as powerful as Kim, but I feel it’s important to share my truth now.”

For further details, you can refer to the original article on Nate. Additional information and images are available at KBizoom.