'T-ara Bullying Scandal' Reignited After 12 Years:
Controversy Over CEO Kim Kwang-soo's Inappropriate Remarks

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Twelve years have passed, but it seems no lessons were learned from past mistakes.

Kim Kwang-soo, the head of MBK Entertainment, has reignited the 'T-ara bullying scandal', placing himself at the center of new controversy due to his inappropriate revelations.

The parties involved, who have remained silent for a long time, are receiving unwanted wounds from Kim's one-sided and exposing remarks.

Kim recently appeared on MBN's 'Let's go, GO!' and brought up the topic of the 'T-ara bullying incident.'

He recalled the event that shook the Korean entertainment industry in 2012, saying, "At that time, I experienced a downfall.

The audience didn't even applaud T-ara for ten minutes." Back then, conflicts among T-ara members became public, causing significant damage to their image and leading to a downward trajectory.

In particular, the discord between Ryu Hwa-young, who joined the group in 2010, and the existing members became known to the world, expanding into the 'Ryu Hwa-young bullying controversy.'

The bullying allegations emerged when school violence was a major social issue, turning it into a societal discourse beyond mere entertainment news.

Referring to the situation in July 2012, Kim explained that Ryu Hwa-young injured her leg before a concert at Japan's Budokan, forcing other members to learn new choreography.

He recalled, "The T-ara members came to me saying, 'It's too hard; we hope Hwa-young would apologize.' Since the members' parents were also at the venue, I promised, 'I'll have Hwa-young apologize when we return to Korea.'"

However, during that time, T-ara members' SNS posts targeting Ryu Hwa-young and conversations between Ryu Hwa-young and her sister Ryu Hyo-young on social media led to various interpretations, escalating the situation. It was unexpected.

What worsened the situation further was none other than Kim Kwang-soo himself. By announcing a 'major statement,' he drew public attention and, two days later, announced the termination of contracts with the Ryu sisters. As a result, while sympathy grew for Ryu Hwa-young, who left the group, the T-ara members were framed as perpetrators.

The outcome was the opposite of what was intended.

Instead of resolving the issue, the situation only worsened.

Kim claimed he wanted to protect the T-ara members' innocence and the promising future of Ryu Hwa-young, but due to his poor handling, T-ara was forever labeled as 'the bully group.'

Even though he shed tears on the broadcast, saying it was "the most regrettable thing," his rash remarks that revisited the 12-year-old incident are causing new controversy.

On the day after the broadcast, on the 10th, Ryu Hwa-young issued a statement seeking to uncover the truth, saying, "I cannot understand why CEO Kim Kwang-soo mentioned the incident from 12 years ago with a biased and distorted view."

She asserted, "It is true that I was bullied," and claimed, "I was assaulted and verbally abused numerous times by the existing members."

She added, "At the time of contract termination, I had a lot of evidence to prove the bullying and planned to reveal my stance through a press conference.

However, I was offered that if I remained silent, they would also terminate my sister's contract. At 20 years old, I thought that was the best option."

She questioned,
"I've kept silent for 12 years. I want to ask CEO Kim Kwang-soo why he made distorted remarks on a broadcast, mentioning real names about an event that happened so long ago." An internet user who claimed to be a former employee of Core Contents Media also posted online supporting Ryu Hwa-young's claims.

Due to Kim's sudden remarks, the 'T-ara bullying scandal' has resurfaced.

The wounds of the members and Ryu Hwa-young, who had overcome trials over the years and were walking their own paths, are being reopened.

Regardless of his intentions, it appears he's repeating past mistakes.

Kim Kwang-soo appeared on 'Let's go, GO!', a variety show produced by Funky Studio, led by PD Han Dong-chul.

Funky Studio is a production company under PocketDol Studio, which is headed by Kim Kwang-soo. His appearance on the show, despite usually avoiding broadcasts, is interpreted as supporting the program as the company representative.

However, questions arise about whether it was necessary to bring an old incident, which still holds potential for controversy and has left deep scars on those involved, back into the spotlight for the sake of generating buzz.

Could he not have predicted this fallout? As a veteran who has been active in the entertainment industry for nearly 40 years, he should have been able to foresee the repercussions.