Former T-ara member and actress Hwayoung has spoken out following recent comments by Kim Kwang Soo, the former CEO of Core Contents Media, about the long-standing bullying controversy within the group.
On November 10, Hwayoung shared a statement on social media, addressing what she described as "distorted" remarks by Kim Kwang Soo during a recent TV appearance. Beginning her post with, “This is former T-ara member Hwayoung,” she shared her feelings on the alleged bullying she experienced as a member of T-ara.
“For 12 years, I’ve carried the label of being involved in the T-ara bullying scandal and chose not to respond to all the rumors," Hwayoung wrote. "Even though my exit from the group was rocky, I stayed silent because I appreciated T-ara for helping me reach where I am today, despite the trauma I experienced. But hearing Kim Kwang Soo’s recent comments, I felt I needed to tell my side of the story.”
Hwayoung revealed, “The bullying was real. I wasn’t pretending to be a victim. As a new member, I tried my best not to be a burden and fit in with the team. Still, I faced both physical and verbal harassment from the original members. I endured it, hoping things would improve.”
She also addressed the controversy about her ankle injury, explaining, “After injuring my ankle, I apologized repeatedly. When I couldn’t perform on stage in Japan, I even asked the CEO to let me at least join for one song to support the group.”
Hwayoung also clarified rumors about her receiving nail care during the Japan tour, saying, “It’s true I got my nails done, but it was a part of our usual routine. T-ara members would often have nail artists come to the hotel during our Japan schedules. The broken nail needed fixing before the show, but framing it as if I did it for personal pleasure feels unfair.”
She concluded by revealing that she had planned to hold a press conference to present her side of the story with evidence, but Kim Kwang Soo convinced her otherwise by offering to terminate her sister's contract if she stayed silent. “At 20 years old, I thought that was the best decision. I left T-ara without ever receiving an apology, and I’ve kept quiet about it for the last 12 years,” she wrote.
This statement from Hwayoung adds new depth to the decade-old T-ara controversy, sparking discussions among fans and the public alike.
Source: [1]
