The T-ara Controversy: Revisiting Old Wounds
In a recent broadcast, CEO Kim Kwang-soo of MBK Entertainment, formerly known as Core Contents Media, shed new light on the decade-old T-ara controversy. His statement—”I believed the T-ara members did nothing wrong, so I went ahead with the broadcast” —has reignited discussions surrounding allegations of bullying within the girl group, suggesting that they did not engage in any misconduct.
The Response from Hwayoung
In stark contrast, former T-ara member Hwayoung asserted, “It is true that the T-ara members bullied me, with physical and verbal abuse being frequent.” She detailed her experience, stating, “I had ample evidence of the bullying at the time and was prepared to hold a press conference, but I accepted CEO Kim’s offer to silence my claims in exchange for terminating my sister Hyoyoung’s contract, who was also signed with the agency.” Hwayoung expressed her frustration, noting, “I ultimately left the group without an apology and have kept quiet for 12 years.”
Insider Perspectives
Amidst growing public interest, YTN Star interviewed two individuals who provided vocal training for Core Contents Media’s artists during T-ara’s peak. Lee Joo-hyo, a trainer from 2010 to 2013, corroborated Hwayoung’s allegations, recounting a disturbing incident where T-ara members appeared indifferent to Hwayoung’s injury before a concert. Notably, instead of offering encouragement, the members reacted with derisive laughter, which deeply shocked Lee.
Furthermore, Lee observed that the T-ara group members sometimes posted synchronized comments on social media that seemed directed at Hwayoung, indicating a lack of support from her peers during her struggles. She noted, “Hwayoung constantly referred to them as ‘those T-ara kids,’ highlighting her feeling of exclusion from the group.”
Underlying Tensions and Isolation
Lee pointed out that the tensions likely stemmed from existing members’ resentment towards Hwayoung’s inclusion in the group. She expressed disappointment in the management’s failure to address these conflicts, revealing that Hwayoung often had to isolate herself within the living quarters.
Another trainer, Tarae, who was involved with Core Contents Media in 2010–2011, provided her observations: “While I didn’t directly witness bullying, Hwayoung frequently shared her feelings of distress, while the other members maintained a facade of normalcy.” Tarae noted that while cliques are typical in idol groups, T-ara’s situation seemed unusually severe and mentioned an incident where Hwayoung came to training with a visible bruise on her cheek, admitting to being struck by a fellow member.
Controversy Over Injury Claims
Tarae recalled that Hwayoung often apologized for her inability to perform due to injury, reflecting her strong desire to be part of the group. “From my understanding, Hwayoung wasn’t one to feign injury; she was passionate about performing,” Tarae emphasized.
As the controversy grew public, many unfounded accusations began circulating about Hwayoung’s character, leading her to feel increasingly stigmatized. Tarae noted, “The agency downplayed her claims to protect T-ara’s image, treating the matter as trivial since only one member seemed to be troubled.”
Seeking Answers
Inquiries were made to Kim Kwang-soo regarding his comments and the unfolding allegations, but no response has been received as of now.
For further details, refer to the original article on Daum.
Additionally, explore the complete story and photographs here.
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