Singer Trainer and Others "The Bullying Rumor About Hwayoung Is True"
"She Came with Red Cheeks Before" Also Revealed
Amid ongoing disputes between former agency CEO Kim Kwang-soo and ex-member Ryu Hwa-young regarding the group T-ara's bullying controversy, a witness has come forward claiming that "the bullying rumors about Hwa-young are true."
On the 15th, YTN star released interviews with two individuals who were responsible for rap training of trainees and artists under Core Contents Media during T-ara's active years. Lee Joo-hyo, who was in charge of training Core Contents Media singers between 2010 and 2013, revealed that he once saw messages in a group chat among T-ara members when Hwa-young was unable to join a Japanese performance due to a leg injury.
Lee stated, "It is true that Hwa-young was bullied," and claimed he was shocked when he saw the members respond with 'ㅋㅋㅋㅋ' (Korean equivalent of laughter) after Hwa-young apologized for not being able to perform due to her leg injury. He added, "Bullying is not necessarily only physical," and said, "Hwa-young struggled a lot because of the members' bullying and even expressed her desire to leave T-ara."
Additionally, trainer Tara, who worked with Core Contents Media from 2010 to 2011, said, "One day, Hwa-young came with a red mark on her cheek. When I asked her why, she just evaded the question. It was obvious to anyone that it was a bruise from being hit." He continued, "When I pressed her by saying, 'It looks like you were hit,' she finally admitted, 'I was hit by OO,'" exposing that there was also violence among the members.
The T-ara bullying incident, which caused a stir in the entertainment industry in 2012, is being brought up again after 12 years. At the time, Kim Kwang-soo, then CEO of T-ara's agency, recently stated on a broadcast, "T-ara did nothing wrong," referring to the 'Hwa-young bullying controversy.' In response, Ryu Hwa-young, a former member of T-ara, denied this by saying, "It is true that I was bullied."
On the 10th, Ryu Hwa-young posted on Instagram, asking, "What is the intention behind distorting the story from 12 years ago by appearing on a broadcast and mentioning real names?" She added, "I will courageously tell the truth because I believe the wrong parts need to be corrected." She asserted, "The bullying I experienced is true. The claim that I was not bullied during my time in T-ara and was merely 'playing the victim' is false." She continued, "As a new member of T-ara, I was obsessed with not causing harm to existing members and tried to integrate with them. However, the original T-ara members subjected me to physical assault and numerous verbal abuses."
Ryu Hwa-young also provided detailed explanations about the controversial 'ankle injury' incident. She said, "After injuring my ankle, I apologized to the members several times. When I sprained my ankle and couldn't perform on the Japanese stage, I even asked the director to let me perform at least one song," explaining, "I felt sorry for the members who must have struggled several times more because of me, so I thought I should sing at least one song."
She added, "I had many materials that could prove the bullying, but CEO Kim proposed, 'If you keep silent without holding a press conference, I will also terminate the contract of my own 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 left without receiving an apology and have kept silent for 12 years." She continued, "Afterwards, T-ara members appeared on various variety shows and denied the bullying, effectively closing the case among themselves. Watching that broadcast, my parents and I shed tears out of helplessness, unable to do anything."
Past activities of T-ara
Previously, CEO Kim stated on a broadcast, "During the 2012 Japan performance, the other members practiced over 20 songs again to adjust the choreography after Hwa-young sprained her ankle and couldn't perform," and added, "Other T-ara members came to apologize to Hwa-young, 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 Hwa-young and her sister Hyoyoung. However, Kim said this decision actually fueled the 'T-ara bullying rumors.' He said, "The members' parents wanted to hold a press conference and reveal all KakaoTalk messages, but considering Hwa-young's position, I was the one who suffered," and added, "Since T-ara was not at fault, I pushed ahead with the broadcast. I felt sorry for the T-ara members."
After leaving the group in 2012, Ryu Hwa-young transitioned to acting and appeared in dramas such as "Age of Youth," "The Beauty Inside," and "Player 2: War of the Gamblers."
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