Former T-ara member Hwayoung has spoken out in response to recent claims by Kim Kwang Soo, who presented her as the antagonist in the T-ara controversy.

Entertainment producer Kim Kwang Soo, founder of MBK Entertainment, recently appeared on the MBN variety show 'GabojaGO' where he shared his perspective on the infamous T-ara bullying incident, asserting that the rest of the members were actually the victims.

After the episode aired, Hwayoung posted on Instagram with a blank image and a long caption sharing her side of the story. She stated that "the bullying was real" and refuted rumors suggesting she had been "pretending to be a victim," calling these claims "untrue."

She described how the original T-ara members allegedly subjected her to verbal abuse and physical bullying, which she endured, hoping that things would improve if she worked harder.

Hwayoung also explained that she apologized to the members multiple times after injuring her ankle and even asked the director if she could still perform at least one song, feeling responsible and wanting to lessen the burden on the members.

Additionally, she addressed other claims, including a specific incident of receiving nail treatment at the hotel. 

Hwayoung also alleged that when her contract with T-ara was terminated, she had evidence to prove the bullying and had planned to hold a press conference. However, Kim Kwang Soo offered to terminate her sister's contract as well if she agreed to remain silent and skip the press conference.

Hwayoung claims that the T-ara members have appeared on various programs asserting that there was no bullying, presenting a version of events that left her and her family feeling “helpless.”

Read the full statement from Hwayoung below:

"Hello,

This is Hwayoung, former member of T-ara.

First, I want to apologize for bringing up an uncomfortable topic and causing concern. After seeing my former agency's CEO, Kim Kwang Soo, speak about the T-ara bullying incident on a recent variety show, I agonized over it for days, thinking it over a hundred, a thousand times, before finally deciding to share my thoughts.

As one of the people involved in the so-called "T-ara bullying" incident in 2012, I felt deep regret, regardless of who was at fault. Watching the disbandment of T-ara, the group that had been so important to me, I felt a lot of guilt. I have always carried a feeling of apology toward all the fans who loved T-ara and even to the members, though we parted ways under terms like “bullying” and “discord.”

For 12 years, I’ve carried the stigma of being labeled as the “bullying victim” and endured countless rumors without responding. Though it was a noisy separation, I am who I am today because of T-ara, so even with the trauma and the sense of injustice, I remained silent.

However, after hearing CEO Kim Kwang Soo’s statements on a variety show, I felt compelled to share the truth as he revisited and distorted the 12-year-old story. I don’t know his intentions, but I feel it’s necessary to correct the inaccuracies.

First: The bullying was real. Claims that I wasn’t bullied and that I was “pretending to be a victim” are untrue. As a new member of T-ara, I felt a strong sense of responsibility to not burden the existing members and worked hard to fit in. However, the original T-ara members frequently subjected me to verbal abuse and physical bullying. I endured it, hoping things would improve if I worked harder.

Second: After injuring my ankle, I apologized to the members multiple times. When my ankle was sprained, and I couldn’t perform on the Japan stage, I even asked the director if I could still do at least one song. I felt guilty, knowing that my absence would cause them more work, so I thought I had to perform, even if just one song.

Third: It’s true that I received a nail treatment at the hotel. However, T-ara regularly had nail technicians come to the hotel during Japanese activities, so it was routine. My nail was broken and was fixed before going on stage, yet it’s been framed as if I got my nails done purely for my satisfaction, which feels like an unwarranted insult.

When I was terminated from T-ara’s contract, I had substantial evidence to prove the bullying and intended to make a statement through a press conference. However, CEO Kim Kwang Soo offered to terminate my sister's contract as well if I stayed silent and did not hold the press conference. At 20 years old, I thought that was the best decision. I ended up leaving the group without receiving an apology, and I’ve remained silent for the past 12 years.

Since then, T-ara members have appeared on various shows claiming that there was no bullying, and they closed the incident among themselves, presenting a version of events different from the truth. Watching those broadcasts, my parents and I felt helpless, shedding tears with nothing we could do.

I genuinely want to ask CEO Kim Kwang Soo: Why would you bring up a story from 12 years ago on a public broadcast, mentioning names and distorting the truth?

Currently, I am without an agency and on my own. I understand that I cannot fight against a CEO who has maintained influence in the entertainment industry for over 40 years. However, I am speaking out because I am confident in revealing the truth about what happened back then."

What are your thoughts?

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