Credit: allkpop
CCM announces Hwayoung will leave T-ara
T-ara‘s parent company Core Contents Media announced today that one of its members, Hwayoung, will be leaving the group.
CCM’s CEO, Kim Kwang Soo, announced the departure in a press release written by the president himself. “In deference to the complaints by T-ara’s staff of 19 people (5 stylists, 7 hair & makeup, 5 on-site managers, 2 team managers), Hwayoung’s contract as an artist will be voided effective immediately with no conditions.”
Kim Kwang Soo denied any correlation with the recent controversy that erupted following tweets from the T-ara members that were interpreted by many as one-sided bullying against Hwayoung. “We wish to impress upon the fact that this has nothing to do with the ‘bullying’ reports surrounding T-ara,” CCM said. “Although the staff of Core Contents Media stayed up into early morning discussing with the T-ara members who all wanted to stay with Hwayoung, we apologize in saying that we could not forsake the arguments of the staff members.”
“We deeply apologize for the many incidents which made everyone who loved T-ara nervous and worried, and we have nothing but sadness to convey such an unsettling incident on their third anniverary. We also apologize again to the T-ara members and wish Hwayoung all the best as a powerful rapper,” CCM continued, “since Hwayoung has great potential as a rapper we decided to end her contract without conditions and we believe that she will grow into the future as a free artist.”
Hwayoung was with T-ara for 20 months, leaving original members Boram, Qri, Eunjung, Soyeon, Hyomin, and Jiyeon, as well as new member Ahreum.
Credit: allkpop
Full press release from Core Contents Media regarding Hwayoung’s departure from T-ara
Although allkpop broke the news on Hwayoung‘s departure from T-ara, for the sake of clarity we have obtained a copy of the full press release from Core Contents Media. The translation follows below.
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As T-ara lives their lives together, I feel that if someone places her/himself above the rest and rocks the boat, the overall stability of the team falters.
I wish to emphasize the fact that the ‘bullying’ reports surrounding T-ara have no basis in truth.
Early after their debut, T-ara went through many reports of several members being bullied (such as Eunjung, Soyeon, or Boram) but that was simply childish jealousy which did not pass two days, and they soon grew closer together.
During the recent concert, a total of 230 staff members moved together. The difference in ‘determination’ that the T-ara members have talked about did not mean whether or not the members could stand on stage.
If someone becomes lazy, or self-centered, and thinks only of oneself, that performance has no reprieve but to suffer flaws, and that kind of stage shines only on the outside. On the inside exists only a shallow longing to ‘show’ something. That is what ‘determination’ means – determination for the stars and the staff members alike.
The most important thing for the staff members and the artists is their health. Only if their body is healthy can they put on a good performance.
Eunjung tore her ligament when she fell on an icy road, and Jiyeon injured her leg during drama filming. She also broke her nose during the Osaka concert when she bumped into a lighting tower, requesting emergency surgery and took the stage afterwards, notwithstanding disagreements with the concert and company managers. She went through full treatment, lasting three days, after her return to Korea.
Hwayoung’s leg injury and her subsequent absence for the concert was for the protection of the star. Although she wanted to stand on stage, all the staff and T-ara members argued against her and she eventually took the stage only for her “Day by Day” performance, as per her wishes.
Therefore, the ‘determination’ that T-ara was talking about was not about standing on stage or otherwise.
Despite poor salary, countless staff members and managers are working hard behind the stars. Driving while missing out on sleep, being on alert 24 hours a day, checking their makeup behind the stage, the staff work hard because they all have the common goal of creating the rise of the next top-level star.
Most staff members, including the on-site manager, are living in either small homes or in dormitories with 3-7 other people. If those people feel sadness due to a certain celebrity, or decide to seek another path because they feel that what they’re doing isn’t right, then the T-ara who gives happiness and joy to many people are nothing more than facades in front of the audience.
Because the eight members of T-ara put teamwork ahead of their selves, they respected the decision of the 19 staff members. Because there couldn’t be any more staff members going through such pain, this decision was made after much debate.
I also thought for a long time whether or not this was the right path, and know that it hurts akin to cutting out one’s own flesh. However, I made the decision based on T-ara’s future and continued existence, and together with the staff we sat up until 7 AM this morning convincing the T-ara members.
Again, I stress that there was no bullying taking place between the T-ara members and Hwayoung and all such reports are without truth.
Earlier, I mentioned during T-ara’s switch from 7 to 9 members that the possibility of member changes existed for those who did not work hard enough or inflicted damage upon other members.
If T-ara becomes lazy or puts themselves first, then the group will become empty on the inside. Therefore, the first priority would be humility, basic manners, and their character.
That is the only way I feel T-ara will continue to become a true Hallyu idol.
Since Hwayoung has much promise as a rapper, Core Contents Media has decided to end her contract without conditions and believe that she will grow into the future as a free artist.
We deeply apologize for the many incidents which made everyone who loved T-ara nervous and worried, and we have nothing but sadness to convey such an unsettling incident on their third anniversary.
Although we, the staff of Core Contents Media, stayed up into early morning discussing with the T-ara members who all wanted to stay with Hwayoung, we apologize to the members in saying that we could not forsake the arguments of the staff members.
Lastly, we again express our sadness to the T-ara members and wish for the best to Hwayoung and her successful rapping career.
Source: Ilgan Sports
Credit: allkpop
CCM’s CEO Kim Kwang Soo interviewed regarding Hwayoung’s departure
On the heels of the earth-shattering news of Hwayoung‘s departure from T-ara, Kim Kwang Soo, the CEO of Core Contents Media, sat down for a quick interview with South Korean media outlet Ilgan Sports.
The full interview follows below.
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The press release is a bit vague. It seems to have actually inflated the controversy.
I can’t reveal everything. It’s the least amount of courtesy for the departing member. Please think carefully about who will be hurt if the truth is revealed.
There were reports of bullying. Are the fights between the members a big reason in the departure?
No. The relationship between the members are not a big problem. In fact, once you take control of a team, small problems can erupt. The bigger problem is the hardships faced by the staff members.
The problems with the staff was also in the official press release. What kind of problems existed?
I don’t want to go into detail, nor do I want to make personal attacks. But the staff were very tired after driving for the entire night and taking care of hair and makeup. There were several managers who cried, saying they wanted to quit. Although the artists are important, I believe that the sweat and tears of the staff are equally as important. I could not stand by watching this destruction of teamwork any longer.
If you go into a little more detail, would that not quell the controversy?
There were so many issues, but I really do not want to shed light on any of them, so I am keeping quiet. There were many examples of yelling at the members and breaking down the teamwork. How would the T-ara members feel, who had trained for over three years? In order to not inflate this issue any further, I hope (Hwayoung) stays quiet.
Source: Newsen
Credit: allkpop
CCM reveals the dark side of Hwayoung, mudslinging ensues
Following their announcement regarding the termination of Hwayoung‘s contract, Core Contents Media recently revealed some of Hwayoung’s unacceptable behavior in the past, furthering the mudslinging.
According to CCM, after their Budokan concert and return to Korea on July 27th, T-ara was preparing to go on stage for a live broadcast of KBS‘s ‘Music Bank‘. With only two groups before them left to go, Hwayoung suddenly decided that she did not want to perform on stage that day.
CCM had decided that due to her leg injury, Hwayoung would sit on a chair on stage for her rap segment, and so the girls had successfully completed their camera rehearsal before the broadcast. However, Hwayoung suddenly changed her mind and refused to go on stage with 2 groups left to go.
The agency stated that in order to prevent an accident on live TV, members Eunjung and Hyomin were pressed to learn Hwayoung’s rap segment in the short amount of time they had before their turn. With the new pressure, Hyomin was clearly nervous and ended up making a mistake during the rap segment.
On the way home, Hwayoung, in front of fans and reporters, threw down her crutches and sat on the floor, threatening to yell at the managers in public. It has also been revealed that Hwayoung has shown both fans and reporters a similar side to her, with unacceptable actions and behavior on the set of ‘Music Bank’.
CCM CEO Kim Kwang Soo stated, “We will not be revealing any more of Hwayoung’s similar behaviors outside of the ‘Music Bank’ incident because we do want to protect her. I am also sorrowed by the words left on Hwayoung’s Twitter.”
Source: StarNews
Credit: allkpop
CEO Kim Kwang Soo meets with the parents of Hwayoung and Hyoyoung
Core Contents Media’s CEO Kim Kwang Soo has demanded that the media cease reporting unconfirmed news regarding T-ara.
On July 31st, he was interviewed by Star News where he revealed that he met with the parents of Hwayoung and Hyoyoung and asked reporters to only report the facts for their sake.
He expressed, “After checking with T-ara’s backdancer team, I was able to confirm that the post claiming to be T-ara’s backdancer was indeed false, as with the content. The reason I terminated Hwayoung’s contract yesterday was because of her tendency to act out, such as refusing to perform on a live broadcast. The decision was made as a reflection of the opinions of T-ara’s staff. However, I believe that this decision will better aid Hwayoung in becoming a better artist.”
He continued, “Like I said yesterday, this decision has nothing to do with the bullying rumors going around. Because of the haters that are spreading rumors, the situation has taken a route of its own. These hateful lies are continuing to spread online, which is only making it harder for T-ara and Hwayoung.”
Kim Kwang Soo added, “I met with Hwayoung and Hyoyoung’s parents yesterday to explain to them my decision, and they were understanding of it. They wished for the best for both T-ara and Hwayoung, so it’s making it greatly difficult for both her parents and T-ara to see these unconfirmed stories coming up on the internet.”
Core Contents Media further emphasized, “We ask that all articles in relation to T-ara be confirmed through our company before they are released on the internet.”
