Hwayoung Claims She Was Indeed Bullied And Verbally Assaulted By T-Ara Members After Previous Agency’s CEO Recent Interview
Former T-ara member Ryu Hwayoung claimed that she was indeed bullied by her fellow group members.
On November 9, during an episode of MBN’s “Let’s Go GO Season 3,” MBK Entertainment CEO Kim Kwang Soo revisited a 12-year-old incident involving Ryu and T-ara.
He explained that Ryu injured her ankle during a music program performance and later appeared at a concert in Japan with crutches. Despite rehearsing without her, the other members were surprised to see her singing on stage. Kim mentioned that her fellow members, exhausted from reworking the choreography, had hoped for an apology from Ryu, yet conflict arose when parts of their conversation were leaked.
Kim also admitted that he had considered releasing all records of their exchanges to clear up the misunderstandings but ultimately refrained out of concern for Ryu and her sister Hyo Young, which gained immense backlash upon the interview airing on TV.
The following day, Ryu Hwayoung addressed Kim’s comments through a lengthy post on social media. She shared, “First of all, the fact that I was bullied is true.”
She refuted the idea that she “played the victim” and explained that she had always tried hard to fit in and avoid being a burden to the original members. Ryu further claimed that during her time with T-ara, the original members subjected her to physical and verbal abuse, which she endured in the hopes that her hard work would improve the situation.
Regarding the T-ara members’ expectation of an apology from Ryu Hwayoung, she clarified, “I apologized to the members multiple times after injuring my ankle. Even when I couldn’t perform on the Japanese stage due to my sprained ankle, I asked the director if I could at least perform one song. I felt a deep sense of regret toward the members who had to endure even more effort due to my absence, so I believed I had to at least sing one song.”
In response to criticism about receiving a nail treatment at the hotel, Ryu Hwayoung clarified, “It is true that I received a nail treatment at the hotel. However, T-ara often arranged for nail services during our Japan promotions. My session was no different; my nail had broken, and I needed it fixed before going on stage. Presenting this as though it was for my personal enjoyment feels like an unjust insult.”
Hwayoung further shared that when she left T-ara, she had substantial evidence to support her claims of bullying and considered holding a press conference. However, CEO Kim Kwang Soo proposed that if she stayed silent, he would release her sister Hyo Young from her contract. “At just 20, I thought that was the best option. I left without receiving any apology and kept silent for 12 years.”
Reflecting on T-ara members’ appearances on shows where they denied bullying, she revealed, “My family and I felt powerless, reduced to tears while watching those broadcasts.” She also questioned Kim Kwang Soo’s motives, asking, “What is your intention in bringing up these distorted statements 12 years later and even mentioning names on television?” She acknowledged the challenges of speaking out alone against an influential figure but expressed her confidence in her own evidence of the past events.
Hwayoung joined T-ara in 2010 but left in 2012 following the bullying controversy. Since then, she transitioned to acting, starring in dramas like “Age of Youth,” “Beauty Inside,” and “Player 2: The War of Players.” Her sister, Hyo Young, debuted in the group Co-Ed School in 2010 and later joined its female sub-unit, 5dolls, before transitioning to acting as well.
What do you think of her response?
Source: (A)
