The T-ara bullying controversy, resurfacing 12 years later, has prompted a response from the boyfriend of former member Ahreum.
On November 12, Ahreum's boyfriend posted a message on his social media stating, "Please stop asking Ahreum questions related to the group she was once part of. Ahreum doesn't know much about that incident herself. It's something from over a decade ago and doesn't need to be revisited."
He added, "Please also refrain from contacting YouTubers who are stirring up attention. Why dwell on old traces that hold no importance now?" He urged that netizens respect Ahreum's privacy and refrain from dragging her past pack into the spotlight.
Meanwhile, Ahreum joined T-ara in 2012 but parted with the group just after one year.
During that time, the bullying controversy surfaced when claims that Hwayoung was being ostracized by the group. The bullying incident led to a gradual decline in T-ara's popularity and activities.
Over the years, the bullying controversy faded, but the topic resurfaced when T-ara's former agency head, Kim Kwang Soo, appeared on a talk show and spoke about the incident.
During the show, he expressed regret for how he handled the situation and clarified that the T-ara members were the true victims of the whole controversy.
SEE ALSO: Producer Kim Kwang Soo to share the truth behind the T-ara bullying incident