T-ara Controversy

Everything written is my own humble opinion.

I would like to start off by saying that I considered myself a fan of T-ara. Not anymore. So it was hard to believe that such a strong group in the K-pop industry was breaking. Honestly, their whole image was destroyed. There’s no one absolute person to blame, but they all planned a hand in their own downfall.

If you do not know, T-ara first debuted with the single Lies back in July of 2009 (only shit that’s a long time ago. seriously what happened to them). They were meant to be a vocal group rather than a girl group, but that was flushed down the toilet. That’s such a shame though. But T-ara could never stand with the vocals they got on that team. No offense, but they do not have any stellar singers and the weak links are the two oldest members Boram and Qri.

Anyway…

Facts: Core Content’s CEO at the time Kim Kwang Soo decided the girl’s constant bad press about attitude needed to be addressed and reprehended. Thus his brilliant plan was to add members to a group that already had enough members. Seriously, Boram and Qri get like one line. Sure they’re bad singers but they deserve more lines. Their first added member was Hwayoung, whose twin was gearing up to debut in another group. You know that co-ed one who promoted like twice. Yeah them. Hwayoung was the new maknae (kinda) and the rapper.

To be honest I started becoming a fan of T-ara when Hwayoung joined. I mean "Why Are You Being Like This," “YaYaYa,” “Roly Poly,” “Lovey Dovey.” Those were arguably some of T-ara’s biggest hits and they were all released after Hwayoung joined. #truth

The next added member was Ahreum. But at that point you could tell tension was in the air. Suddenly, ok not really suddenly since there were numerous bullying rumors surrounding T-ara, CCM announced Hwayoung immediate departure.

Here’s where the water gets murky for me. First, since they’re were harsh rumors about bullying, shouldn’t you address that first Kim Kwang Soo? You just make yourself look like a dick when you drop the person who is viewed as the victim. Second, obviously, seriously super obvious, Hwayoung had recorded the rap part for “Sexy Love” before the incident so that means the decision to cut her was hasty and not long thought over. You just wasted money cause now you had to go back and rerecord, film the music video over, and still look like an ass. Seriously, what are you thinking when you kick Hwayoung out and then the next month you go and promote as if nothing is wrong? That’s just wrong! Don’t try to just sweep the past under the rug and expect us all to be like “okay, I’m with you,” that’s not how it works buddy. Just as companies have invested time and effort into group, so have fans. I feel insulted when you basically throw someone under the bus when they are no longer helpful. It’s the same way I feel about U-Kiss when they went through member changes as well. And what the hell happened to Ahreum too CCM? Thought I forgot didn’t you. You thought time would make me forget, well I didn’t forget, HA! And does anyone else see that Hwayoung and Ahreum were given different outfits from the rest of T-ara when promoting Day by Day? Cause it's true, T-ara all have the same outfits and only Hwayoung and Ahreum have different outfits. 

If you look at T-ara today, they may seem fine (except for Soyeon's nose job), but the T-ara craze is over. Queens, you may bash me, swear me out, but it’s the truth, T-ara can never go back to their ‘Golden Era.’ And they will forever be branded as the bully group. I’m not saying all the members are bullies. I’m not saying it’s all of the current members fault. Both T-ara and Hwayoung probably fought and didn’t like each other at some moments. And is Kim Kwang Soo dumb? Boy is that an understatement of the year. The bottom line is: shit happens, but it’s how we handle that shit that make us a good person, a respectable person.

Honestly, I will never like T-ara again as people. They’re a bully in my eyes, and that thought can’t be erased from my mind. But that doesn’t mean I’ll never listen to their music. I can enjoy their songs like any other sane person, I just won’t like them. It’s cruel, but that’s reality.

Got a different opinion?