T-ara's Ryu Hwayoung "Bullying and Assault Are True"... Furious at MBK Entertainment CEO

Kim Kwang-soo MBK Entertainment CEO Mentions 'T-ara Bullying' on Broadcast
Hwayoung Posts Long Message on SNS to Address Controversy

Kim Kwang-soo, CEO of MBK Entertainment, the agency of girl group T-ara, recently mentioned the 'Hwayoung bullying controversy' on a broadcast, stating "T-ara is not at fault." In response, former T-ara member Ryu Hwayoung, the person involved, refuted by saying, "It is true that I was bullied."

On the 10th, Ryu Hwayoung posted on Instagram, "What is the intention behind appearing on a broadcast and distorting the story from 12 years ago while even mentioning real names?" She added, "I have decided to speak the truth with difficulty because I believe the wrong parts need to be corrected."

Former girl group T-ara member and actress Ryu Hwa-young

She claimed, "It is true that I was bullied. However, the claim that I was not bullied during my time in T-ara and that I was playing the 'victim cosplay' is false." She continued, "As a new member of T-ara, I was obsessed with not causing harm to the existing members and tried to integrate with them. However, the existing T-ara members repeatedly subjected me to physical assault and numerous verbal abuses."

Ryu Hwayoung also explained in detail about the past incidents that caused controversy. She said, "After injuring my ankle, I apologized to the members several times. When I sprained my ankle and could not perform on the Japanese stage, I asked the director to allow me to perform at least one song," adding, "I felt sorry for the members who must have suffered several times more because of me, so I thought I should sing at least one song."

She stated, "I had many materials that could prove the bullying, but CEO Kim proposed, 'If you remain silent without a press conference, I will also terminate the contract of my own older sister who was in the same agency at the time,'" and said, "At just twenty years old, I thought that was the best option. In the end, I withdrew without receiving an apology and have remained silent for 12 years." She added, "Afterward, T-ara members appeared on various variety shows and expressed a different stance, saying 'We never bullied her,' thereby settling the bullying incident among themselves. Watching that broadcast, my parents and I shed tears in helplessness, unable to do anything."

Past activities of T-ara

Earlier, CEO Kim appeared on a broadcast program and mentioned Hwayoung's real name while bringing up the bullying controversy. He said, "During the 2012 Japan concert, the other members practiced over 20 songs again to adjust the choreography for Hwayoung's absence due to her sprained ankle," and added, "Other T-ara members came to apologize to Hwayoung, but she said, 'My parents are here, so I will talk when I return to Korea,' and the matter was settled."

Meanwhile, rumors about T-ara spread in Korea, and eventually, CEO Kim unconditionally terminated the contracts of the Hwayoung and Hyoyoung sisters. However, CEO Kim said this decision actually fueled the 'T-ara bullying rumor.' He said, "The members' parents said, 'Let's hold a press conference and reveal all KakaoTalk messages,' but considering that friend's (Hwayoung's) position, I was the one who suffered," and added, "Since T-ara was not at fault, I proceeded with the broadcast. I felt sorry for the T-ara members."

After leaving the team in 2012, Ryu Hwayoung transitioned to acting and appeared in dramas such as Youth Generation, The Beauty Inside, and Player 2: War of the Gamblers.