Hwayoung, a former T-ara member, has responded to the bullying allegations that have haunted the group for more than 10 years, claiming she is still waiting for an apology from her ex-bandmates and their then-CEO, Kim Kwang Soo.
In a post on her SNS account, Hwayoung voiced her frustration at the lack of reaction from T-ara members and Kim Kwang Soo.
These performances will be the most important part of T-ara's career so far.
— 김광수 Kim Kwang Soo (@BossKwangSoo) July 23, 2012
"I waited for, more than anything, their genuine apology," she said. "I chose to have no expectations and none from CEO Kim Kwang Soo or the T-ara members any way until now.
Today's controversy goes back 12 years, when Hwayoung feels to be her twin sister Hyoyoung, was embroiled in a bullying scandal involving another member, Areum, via text messages of intimidation.
Hwayoung explained that she contacted her sister because she was concerned about Areum, who she saw as a younger sister.
While Hyoyoung and Areum eventually reconciled, Hwayoung asserted that there was still emotional damage from the fallout of the event.
She claimed that the members were giving it all they had on the show but that CEO Kim Kwang Soo was using her sister and his messages for his own opportunistic advantage in the public eye. To quote her: "This is fact-defamation.
She then alleged that T-ara members were bullying each other and that Kim Kwang Soo knew and did nothing about it.
Hwayoung said, "Nobody wanted to live with me, so I remember sleeping in the living room without a room of my own. T-ara bullying scandal is, to this day, my biggest scar."
Hwayoung also shot down criticisms hurled toward her by stylist Kim Woori, saying that she never met Woori during her stint with T-ara.
She slammed Woori for damaging the integrity of the conversation she had with other members and added, "This has resulted in a perpetual flow of online harassment against us.
Meanwhile, the younger sister of Hwayoung is said to hope to let go of the past. Hwayoung said, "She just wants to get over this.
I understand that CEO Kim Kwang Soo is renewing this public mention once more, but why?
Hwayoung then added that although she had complaints, she still was willing to forgive, saying, "I will forgive CEO Kim Kwang Soo and the members of T-ara, and understand them, and do my best to recover from the wounds that we have received.
Hwayoung concluded by saying that she would pursue legal action against any person spreading false information about her or her family.
