Following Kim Kwang Soo's remark clearing T-ARA's name from their past bullying issue, Ryu Hwayoung released her rebuttal, still firm with her claims that she was the victim.
On November 9, Kim Kwang Soo, the founder of Core Contents Media (hereinafter MBK), spoke for the first time about the bullying scandal of the former girl group T-ARA.
In a show, he recalled the conflict between the members 12 years ago and clarified that as opposed to Hwayoung's claims, the rest were innocent and the former was actually the bully. He then bowed his head after taking a long time to reveal the truth.
However, on November 10, Ryu Hwayoung, the victim-turned-villain, labeled all of Kim's claims as biased and distorted statements.
Although she regretted what happened to the team, the former idol felt compelled to correct the inaccuracies Kim revealed on the program.
Ryu Hwayoung claimed through an Instagram post:
"First, the bullying story is true, but it is false that I wasn't the one bullied and that I was 'cosplaying' as the victim."
Here, she insisted that the original members teamed up against her despite her efforts to blend in as an additional member. Hwayoung didn't explicitly state how, but she confirmed that she was physically and verbally abused.
Next, she also clarified issues regarding her going to a nail salon although she had an ankle injury. At the time, she only performed one song and later on sat down from their Japanese activities leading T-ARA to work twice as much due to revised line distribution and changes in choreographies.
She didn't deny that she had nail treatment at a hotel before performing, but she explained that it was to fix a broken nail and not for her satisfaction.
In the lengthy letter, Hwayoung further stated:
"At the time of my T-ARA contract termination, I had a lot of evidence that could prove the bullying, so I tried to announce my position through a press conference, but CEO Kim Kwang Soo suggested that if I kept quiet without holding a press conference, he would also terminate the contract of my older sister (twin Ryu Hyoyoung) who was with the same agency at the time. I was only 20 years old, so I thought that was the best thing to do. In the end, I left the group without even receiving an apology, and I've kept quiet for 12 years."
Hwayoung expressed the heartbreak that her family has to suffer as they watch T-ARA give "distorted" positions to clear their names in various shows.
As the letter concluded, she called out Kim Kwang Soo.
"I would like to sincerely ask CEO Kim Kwang Soo, what on earth was your intention in appearing on a show and mentioning real names to make such completely distorted statements about a story that happened 12 years ago?
I am currently alone without an agency. I also know that I cannot fight against the CEO who has had constant influence in the entertainment industry for over 40 years. Despite that, the reason I can tell you this is because I am confident that I can reveal the truth about that time."
RELATED ARTICLE: Where Are Hwayoung & Hyoyoung Now? Status of 'Ryu Twins' After T-ara Bullying Scandal
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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz
