Former T-ara Member Hwayoung: "Members Who Bullied Me Still Haven't Apologized" Additional Statement

Hwayoung "Kim Kwangsoo knew about the bullying but remained passive"
"Never saw him as a stylist... false claims"
"Bullying is no different from murder"

Former group T-ara member and actress Hwayoung (Ryu Hwayoung) has made additional statements regarding the bullying incident. Hwayoung Instagram

Former T-ara member and actress Hwayoung (Ryu Hwayoung) has issued an additional statement regarding the bullying incident.

On the 18th, Hwayoung posted on her social media account, "I sincerely apologize to the public for unintentionally causing fatigue due to the recent uproar over the 'T-ara bullying incident.'" She continued, "For the past 12 years, my family and I have endured false information, numerous speculations, excessive malicious comments, baseless blind criticism and threats, and harassment. I have painfully watched and endured this, but I can no longer remain silent and ask for your understanding as I share my position."

She said, "After posting my statement last week, I waited above all for their sincere apologies. However, I have decided to no longer have any expectations from CEO Kim Kwangsoo and the T-ara members, who have yet to make any statements." Nevertheless, she added, "My sister and I take comfort in finally being able to speak the truth and being freed from countless misunderstandings and false accusations. I felt it necessary to provide further explanation on this matter, so I am posting this."

Hwayoung explained, "At the time, I cared for and looked after the new member Areum like a younger sister, but I was hurt by various instigations and contacted my older sister feeling upset. My sister then sent a text message to Areum." She pointed out, "My sister and Areum had apologized and reconciled years ago, but CEO Kim publicly revealed my sister’s text message on a broadcast and exploited it solely for personal gain. This constitutes defamation by factual assertion." She added, "CEO Kim was aware of the bullying I endured but remained indifferent. I still vividly remember how everyone refused to be my roommate, forcing me to live in the living room without a room, along with countless verbal abuses and physical assaults. The T-ara bullying incident remains my deepest wound."

Furthermore, she stated, "Stylist Kim Woo-ri, who is close to CEO Kim, was not in charge of T-ara when I joined, so I never met her. Her claim on a variety show that I said to the hair staff, 'Shampoo, let’s go,' is entirely false. When I denied this, Kim Woo-ri irresponsibly shifted the blame onto the broadcasting company, calling it 'devil’s editing,' thereby refusing to take responsibility for her lies."

Hwayoung expressed, "I believe bullying is no less than murder in our society. My sister and I have no wish other than to forget this ordeal." She added, "I do not know why CEO Kim has brought this issue back into the public eye. To prevent further speculation and malicious comments, I wanted to convey the truth." In conclusion, she said, "For our sake, I will forgive, understand, and work harder to recover from the wounds caused by CEO Kim and the T-ara members. I will also take stronger legal action against the spread of false information and malicious comments."

Earlier, on the 8th, Kim Kwangsoo, former CEO of MBK Entertainment and producer of T-ara, reignited the bullying controversy by stating on a broadcast, "T-ara did nothing wrong. I tore up Hwayoung’s contract at the time and let her go unconditionally." Two days later, Hwayoung refuted this on her SNS, posting that "the bullying I experienced in the group is true."