Former T-ara member Hwayoung posted a second statement revealing her side of the 'T-ara bullying scandal.'
On November 18, Hwayoung took to Instagram to write a lengthy post clarifying the allegations and rumors about her and the group. She also revealed she will take firm legal action against those spreading false rumors about her and leaving malicious comments on social media, YouTube, and online communities.
On this day, Hwayoung began by addressing the latest issue by saying, "I sincerely apologize for unintentionally causing public fatigue through the recent controversy surrounding the 'T-ara Bullying' incident. For the past 12 years, my family and I have endured false information, countless speculations, malicious comments that crossed the line, baseless criticism, threats, and harassment. We bore the pain and remained silent, but I could no longer stay quiet, so I had to share my statement on Instagram. I hope for your understanding."
She further explained, "After posting my statement on Instagram last week, I waited sincerely for their apology. However, seeing that neither CEO Kim Kwang Soo nor the T-ara members have made any statements, I have decided to no longer have any expectations of them. Nonetheless, I find some comfort in finally being able to speak the truth with my sister, clearing up misunderstandings, and escaping from wrongful accusations."
Through her latest statement, Hwayoung denied the allegations she called one of the hair shop workers "shampoo" and revealed she had faced wrongful harassment due to the false accusations against her.
Below is Hwayoung's full statement:
"This is former T-ara member Hwayoung.
I sincerely apologize for unintentionally causing public fatigue through the recent controversy surrounding the "T-ara Bullying" incident.
For the past 12 years, my family and I have endured false information, countless speculations, malicious comments that crossed the line, baseless criticism, threats, and harassment. We bore the pain and remained silent, but I could no longer stay quiet, so I had to share my statement on Instagram. I hope for your understanding.
After posting my statement on Instagram last week, I waited sincerely for their apology. However, seeing that neither CEO Kim Kwang Soo nor the T-ara members have made any statements, I have decided to no longer have any expectations of them.
Nonetheless, I find some comfort in finally being able to speak the truth with my sister, clearing up misunderstandings, and escaping from wrongful accusations.
I am sharing this long post to clarify further on some points:
First: My sister texted Ahreum because, at that time, I was taking care of the new member Ahreum like a younger sibling. However, due to various conflicts caused by other T-ara members and Ahreum, I felt hurt and confided in my sister. That’s why my sister messaged Ahreum. While my sister and Ahreum personally apologized and reconciled years ago, CEO Kim Kwang Soo appeared on television without verifying with the parties involved, publicly sharing my sister’s message to serve his own interests. This malicious act inflicted further mental harm on me, my sister, and Ahreum, constituting defamation through factual disclosure.
Second: CEO Kim Kwang Soo ignored the bullying I was facing despite knowing about it. I still remember being forced to live in the living room without a bedroom because no one wanted to room with me, along with the countless verbal abuse, criticism, and physical harassment. The T-ara bullying incident remains my deepest wound.
Third: The "shampoo remark" made by stylist Kim Woori, who is acquainted with CEO Kim Kwang Soo, needs to be corrected to address the malicious comments I continue to receive.
Presenting himself as if he knew everything about me and T-ara, he appeared on a past entertainment show and fabricated a story to criticize me. While Kim Woori had connections with CEO Kim Kwang Soo and worked as T-ara’s stylist, he was not T-ara’s stylist when I joined the group. I have never met or spoken to Kim Woori.
On the show, he claimed that I said, “Shampoo, let’s go,” referring to a hair salon staff member, implying I had a character problem. He also said I had no discipline or manners as a new member, insisting there was no wrongdoing on T-ara’s side. This is all false.
To set the record straight, I never visited the “shop” Kim Woori mentioned, nor have I met or interacted with him. His interview was fabricated and is a clear case of defamation. After I clarified on Instagram that this was false, Kim Woori shifted the blame onto the broadcasting company, calling it “evil editing” and irresponsibly attributing his lies to the network. While it might be a small matter for Kim Woori, I continue to suffer from malicious comments and the lasting pain caused by his “shampoo remark.”
I believe bullying is as severe as murder in our society.
My sister and I have no more expectations. We only want to forget about this incident. I don’t understand why CEO Kim Kwang Soo would bring up this matter again. To prevent further speculation and malicious comments, I only wish to tell the truth.
For my family and myself, I will work hard to forgive CEO Kim Kwang Soo and the T-ara members, to understand, and to recover from the hurt we endured.
Finally, I want to announce that I will take firm legal action against the spreading of false information and malicious comments on YouTube and other platforms.
Thank you for reading this long post."
Following Hwayoung's post, Korean netizens gathered on a popular online community to share their thoughts on the matter. Many appeared to side with Hwayoung’s claims, expressing their support for the actress.
They commented:
"By now, what exactly was T-ara so upset about that they were tearing up on every broadcast after the incident?"
"The fact that no one wanted to room with her, so she had to sleep alone in the living room... That’s really sad; she must have felt so lonely."
"To be honest, after that incident, didn’t T-ara members cry and complain every time they appeared on shows? As a result, Hwayoung gradually became the one being blamed. If the bullying was real and even included physical abuse, they really shouldn’t have been acting like victims on TV."
"Wow... doesn’t the fact that she had to live in the living room without a bedroom confirm some of this? She was probably left sitting there alone while everyone else was chatting and laughing in their own rooms. Plus, because of that 'shampoo' comment, she’s still criticized, with people debating whether it was actually bullying or saying, 'Even if it was bullying, she deserved it.' That’s really unfair. The fact that she stayed silent all this time is impressive. If it were me, I would’ve just left the entertainment industry, given up on everything, and exposed it all."
"They should have at least given her a single room or her own space. Living in the living room like that? I’ve felt left out before, but I can’t even imagine that. She must’ve heard everything—chatter from their rooms, them laughing among themselves, maybe even gossiping about her. She probably felt awkward just stepping out to go to the bathroom or getting ready. She wouldn’t have had a proper vanity, wardrobe, or anything. Even Se Kyung from 'High Kick Through the Roof' got a tiny room to herself, but this is ridiculous."
"Back then, she was just 19 or 20... If my younger sibling were treated like that, I would have been furious, too."
"If all this is true, it’s just too heartbreaking..."
"If it counts as defamation, file a lawsuit confidently. Don’t just talk about it."
"When you hurt others, it eventually comes back to you."
"I’ve seen a lot of people here on this forum calling T-ara the victims and insulting Hwayoung like she was the one in the wrong."
"Wow, I always thought she looked intimidating, but maybe she wasn’t..."
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