2ne1's acoustic performances with Sungha Jung

Power group 2ne1 is super back in the KPop entertainment scene with a new single I Love You. And this time, the group collaborated with guitar genius Sungha Jung in an acoustic performance of the song as well as their popular track Lonely.

Naver

Hwayoung tweets message for fans

Following the roller-coaster controversy involving girl group T-Ara, recently ditched and former member Hwayoung tweeted a message for her loyal fans.

She posted to Twitter on July 31 at 10:33PM KST, “To my fans, you’ve loved me until now, and I’m sorry that I've only given you disappointment. Please stop now, and look forward to our more mature and improved selves in the future. I apologize for making you worry during this time. I also want to apologize to my Core Contents Media family. I’ll greet you all with a better image next time.”

Fans are sprouting reactions online like "She was threatened, I'm sure", "She didn't confirm, she just apologized", "T-Ara is screwed", "I guess everyone was pretty much at fault, too", "I'm guessing since her sister is still in the company, she can't be too honest", "She chose her words carefully", etc.

Hwayoung strikes back on Twitter

Following Core Contents Media‘s announcement of Hwayoung leaving the group T-ara, Hwayoung posted a quick sentence on Twitter that seemed to summarize her thoughts on the matter.

“…facts without any truth,” she stated simply.

Although the context of her tweet is unknown, it is not hard to link it to CCM’s recent press release relaying the reasons behind her withdrawal from T-ara.

Moreover, her twin sister Hyoyoung also posted a simple “………”

The sisters’ tweets implied that there might be more than what was announced by Core Contents Media, making fans leave comments such as, “Tell us the truth,” “The news is quite heartbreaking,” and “We’re on your side, so stay strong.” 

T-Ara announcements and controversies

CCM reveals the dark side of Hwayoung, mudslinging ensues

According to Core Contents Media, after their Budokan concert and return to Korea on July 27th, T-ara was preparing to go on stage for a live broadcast in 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.

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. Hwayoung, in front of fans and reporters, threw down her crutches and sat on the floor, threatening to yell at the managers in public if she could not go home.

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.”

Hwayoung to leave the group

T-ara‘s parent company Core Contents Media announced that one of its members, Hwayoung, will be leaving the group. 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.”

He 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. 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. Since she has great potentials 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.

Netizens dig up evidence of Hwayoung being bullied?

Amidst the heated controversy, netizens have discovered further evidence to prove the speculated rumors regarding Hwayoung being bullied to be true. On November 6, 2011, a post titled, “Being an outcast.. Really is difficult and tiresome“, was uploaded onto Nate Pann, an online community forum, under the username ‘Suk Ryu’ (Ryu is Hwayoung’s last name).

Although the post has yet to be confirmed, netizens have speculated it to indeed be Hwayoung, as it well matched her current situation. The message read:

"Hello. I’ve been contemplating whether I should post this or not, but have decided to write a few things. The group I’m in is… A group everybody will know just by revealing the group’s initial. I’m a new member in the group, so it has been very awkward and because I’m also very timid, I’m unable to approach them easily.  That’s one of the reasons why I’m becoming an outcast.

he original members must have strongly opposed my addition to the group. I’m basically treated as if I’m an invisible at the dorm. But when the cameras are rolling, they would suddenly have their arms around my shoulders. When we’re practicing, I really feel like I’m going to die. When I make a little mistake, I’d get criticized hearing things like, ‘You can’t even do this?’ and would get cursed at.

Even right now, I’m alone since they all went grocery shopping without me. They’ll be back in a few hours, but I want to just forget about my singing career and leave. However, this is the path I decided to take and I’m the one who decided to join, so it’s hard to do so. I feel a bit better now that I’ve written this.

Thank you."

T-Jinyo group formed demanding truth

Criticisms have been rising for T-ara as more “evidence” is surfacing in regards to the bullying. In addition, a website titled T-Jinyo (We Demand the Truth from T-ara) was formed and is rapidly seeing an increase in members by the hour.

ALLKPOP

T-Ara members' recent tweets become hot issues

The tweets of T-ARA members assumed to be aimed at fellow member Hwayoung are becoming a big issue.  On the 25th and the 26th, the group held their first concert in Japan entitled T-ARA Jewelry Box. The controversy started when unfortunately, Hwayoung injured her leg while practicing.

Towards the beginning of the Budokan performance, Soyeon, Eunjung, Qri, Boram, Jiyeon, and Hyomin each greeted the fans one at a time, and afterwards Hwayoung came on stage with her crutches, and the fans encouraged her with their loud cheers. When the concert was nearly over, T-ara performed their hit song Day By Day while Hwayoung performed her rap parts seated on a chair.

The group also members had to sing Day by Day on Music Bank in Korea without Hwayoung and leader Soyeon on the 27th. The other members of the group extended themselves, trying to make up the absence of the two. But the members, excluding Qri and Ahreum, tweeted their thoughts while still in Japan.

On the 25th, Eunjung posted, “A position can make or break a person, but will and determination can also make a person, too. What a pity. You should always be able to take care of the people around you.”

On the same day, Jiyeon posted, “It’s all about the will, always be humble, I give you applause for your acting.”

Soyeon posted, “Will + manners + consideration, let’s all cheer up.”

Hyomin posted, “It’s all about the will. Let’s all have more determination. Fighting!”. Boram retweeted this.

In response, Hwayoung also wrote on her own twitter, “Sometimes, even determination alone is not enough. At times like these, I feel upset but I trust that it’s a blessing in disguise from the heavens. God, you know everything right?”

Hwayoung’s twin sister Hyoyoung from 5dolls also wrote, “If your face is pretty, your heart has to be pretty, too. Is a sick person not a person? I’m hurting. I want to seriously cry. I should just practice instead.” and “My better half is suffering. My heart hurts. No matter what anyone else says, Hwayoung, you can get through this,” to which Hwayoung replied, “You’re the best.”

Moreover, on the morning of July 28th, Hwayoung again wrote, “The support of my family and fans is worth so much to me. Please watch over me.” She also previously tweeted a photo of herself and twin sister Hyoyoung holding hands, writing, “Ryu! Thanks for always being by my side. I love you.”

Ever since the controversy broke out online, fans have been voicing their concern for T-ara as well as sending messages of support to Hwayoung. Their agency at first argued that the girls’ accounts had been hacked, but it seems unlikely that all of their individual Twitters could have been hacked at the same time. The tweets are deleted now, but the captured files have been bringing heat to internet users, who said “No wonder they say Hwayoung is outcasted within the group”, etc.

2nd placer Hyoyeon burst into tears

Girls’ Generation's dancing machine Hyoyeon, together with partner Hyungsuk, finally ended her run on Dancing with the Stars II in the finale with a second place finish. Fellow group members Yoona and Seohyun came to the live broadcast to show their support for the lovely dancer and were shown multiple times throughout the show cheering excitedly for her.

But the charming 2nd placer burst into tears when she met the members of her group.  On the recent episode of the show, the best scenes of the season and the best speeches were featured. SNSD’s beauties, Seohyun and Yoona were spotted soothing Hyoyeon who was in tears after the announcement was made.

Sadly disappointed in the final, Hyoyeon gave a speech, saying, “That was one of the unforgettable moments in my life. I really had a great time.” However, she broke down tears as soon as she met the Yoona and Seohyun.

Hyoyeon added, “Seeing my members here makes me emotional.” Seohyun gave an affectionate hug and Yoona shared her emotion by also tearing up.

Nichkhun's family shows support but ends up criticized

After being swept up in controversy with his DUI accident, 2PM Nichkhun’s family has come together to show their support for the singer. His brother Nichan tweeted, “What I would do to cheer u up bro...” and attached a photo with his two younger sisters, Nichthima and Nachjaree.

In the photo, Nichkhun’s siblings are giving goofy expressions with supportive messages stucked on their eyebrows that read, “Nichkhun,” “Fighting” and “Love you.”

However, the slightly comical expressions of the siblings met with strong criticisms from Korean netizens, stating that the photo was insensitive to the serious situation and the recovering motorcyclist.

To this, Nichan deleted the previous tweet and posted a message of apology saying, “I apologize to the injured person, his family, and the Korean people for my recent tweet. I only wanted to cheer up my brother because he was so deeply in pain and despair but I should have been more thoughtful and cautious about people who are related to this accident. I’m so sorry.”

Nichkhun: "I'm truly ashamed, I'm sorry"

2PM member Nichkhun broke his silence on his involvement in the drunk driving incident last July 24 where he hit a motorcycle, saying it was an "irresponsible act" on his part. He posted a letter of apology on his Twitter account to say that he was sorry to the victim and his family and fans.

"I would like to write this letter of apology for such an irresponsible act. To the injured person, his family, the people of Korea, my fans, JYPE family and staffs, 2PM members, and all the people this situation has affected. I have betrayed the ones who have given me their love and support, the love and support I don’t deserve with such behavior. I feel the need to take some time off to re-think about my action and myself, to make myself a better person and never again repeat the same mistake. I am truly ashamed that I have disappointed so many, and I am deeply sorry.”

As such, he has decided to take some time off from his career, an action which JYP Entertainment has announced.

An intoxicated Nichkhun was driving a car in Seoul in the early morning of July 24 when he hit the motorcyclist. The victim fell to the ground and was injured. CCTV footage of the accident was shown on Korean TV. Authorities found Nichkhun to be drunk with his blood alcohol content (BAC) to be 0.056 percent, which resulted in the automatic suspension of his license. He was booked for drunk driving. JYP Entertainment immediately issued an apology over the incident and said that Nichkhun had two glasses of beer during a get-together with JYP artists before driving home.  It said it would cooperative with the police on the matter.

In a notice on the company website, JYP Entertainment said it respects Nichkhun's decision. He will be stopping all his activities for now including not attending the JYP Nation concert and JYP Fans' Day.

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Ethan and Tiffany say all is well

Refuting rumors that they have called it quits and dismissing talk of a third party - Korean actress Yoon Eun Hye - coming between them, Ethan Ruan and Tiffany Hsu have insisted that their relationship is very much on track.

Tiffany was speculated to have been affected by the rumours and deleted comments on her micro-blog - a claim she rejected, replying, "I wasn't in a bad mood, do I need a reason to delete content on my micro-blog?" 

When asked if there were any problems in her relationship, she shared, "We're doing very well, don't worry!"

Ethan, who is currently serving his mandatory military service, commented, "I was shocked by the rumours too!"

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Shin Yong Jae's song for Taeyeon

Shin Yong Jae of soul and ballad group 4Men recently expressed his desire to sing a duet with Girls’ Generation‘s power vocals Taeyeon and unveiled a song he wrote that was inspired by her.

On a recent recording of Sketchbook, the singer revealed that he was a fan of the girl group’s kid-like leader. He also added, “While I was thinking of what kind of duet song would I sing with her, I thought of the feeling that comes along with the first day of a relationship and composed the song titled ‘Day 1′.”

He revealed the song during the recording and caused much laughter when he explained, “I made it thinking of the Disney movie Beauty and the Beast."

The singer also performed his upcoming first solo album’s double title tracks Keep Wanting To and The Reason I Became a Singer, raising the anticipation surrounding the release of his album.

ALLKPOP

Super Junior nearly broke up

Hallyu stars Super Junior revealed that they nearly split up over a few misunderstandings. On an episode of Strong Heart, members opened up saying, “We were on the verge of breaking up because of an argument we had right before a live performance.”

Eunhyuk explained, “Leeteuk once got really mad right before an Inkigayo shoot. The members continually joked around with him to the point where he inevitably grew angry. It wasn’t me that was causing mischief, but Leeteuk misunderstood and thought it was me and got angry. Kyuhyun was the one causing most of the trouble, and Leeteuk made up with him but left me alone so it made me upset.”

Leeteuk, who was listening to Eunhyuk, explained, “I was trying not to grow angry at their fun and games, but it didn’t stop so I eventually exploded. I got mad at Kyuhyun and my emotions got the best of me so I stepped outside. When I saw Kyuhyun a little later, he was already crying so I comforted him.”

He continued, “At that moment, I realized that these continuous misunderstandings and agitated emotions are what could cause our group to break up. It was only 10 minutes before the live performance, and I felt bad that I could not make it up to Eunhyuk but there was just not enough time.” In order to make Eunhyuk feel better, Leeteuk decided that he would ask Eunhyuk to say the speech after they earned the #1 K-Chart win. When Leeteuk asked him, Eunhyuk looked unenthused, and his thank-you speech was given with an expressionless face that was rather dry and formal. This only caused the atmosphere within the group to become more tensed.

Fellow member Shindong then remarked, “At that time, the person who cried a lot was me. Before going on stage, I told the members to show the audience a professional image.” 

When they won first place, he told the members, “Let’s smile,” continuing with his attempt to loosen up the tense atmosphere. However, the anger appeared to remain amongst the members, and as a result, Shindong became frustrated too. He expressed that he felt as if his efforts were being wasted. “I wondered what I had been doing until now, and then I got mad. Although we had finished our performance and returned to the waiting room. Seeing the members’ faces as we went back in made me feel as if I was going to explode. I scolded them in a really loud voice and then kicked a box in front of me. ” After kicking the box, however, it opened and both styrofoam and soda cans spilled out. Member Yesung, who hadn’t done anything wrong, was then sprayed with the shaken soda.

Shindong expressed his immediate regret as he said, “I took my anger out on Yesung who wasn’t doing anything, and because I knew that he hadn’t done anything wrong, I started crying.”

Then he concluded, “These little misunderstandings caused such big fights that it was really upsetting. After that happened, we were able to bond our friendship more tightly on other variety programs.”

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