Kim Kwang Soo says a bunch of shit, makes it clear that Hwayoung is now his mouthpiece

Core Contents Media CEO Kim Kwang Soo now admits to conflicts in T-ara, but denies bullying ever happened.

Q. There are criticisms saying that the reason for the discharge of Hwayoung before the truth has even been unveiled is to cover up the stories of bullying.

It doesn’t make sense that after returning from having successfully concluded a concert last week in Japan that we would suddenly discharge a member because of bullying. The reason for the termination of Hwayoung’s contract is not because of bullying. It is because Hwayoung refused to attend a live broadcast and thus broke her promise with the public.

Well … at least he’s starting to show continuity with his narrative now, unlike before.

Q. What did you mean by “the jealousy of the young members” and “subtle arguments” that you mentioned in a previous press release?

To the other T-ara members, it probably wasn’t appealing to see the maknae Hwayoung, who had joined late, cause disorder rather than make efforts to adjust. Hwayoung’s personality is a bit boyish and tough. While spending time with the T-ara members, there were times when they hurt each other’s feelings. Of course, the problem also lies with the other T-ara members as well for not being able to embrace and foster Hwayoung.

It’s already established that I think he’s an idiot, a piece of shit, and a liar, but I don’t disagree with this. There probably was resentment within the group, but that’s not bullying in itself, and neither is disliking somebody.

Of course, KKS apparently fails to see the irony in what he just admitted, which was basically that he was the catalyst for any conflict that may have arisen with his constant changing of members and management style.

Q. In the press release, there was also a line that stated that the staff had negative comments about Hwayoung.

The staff members, who work so hard for little pay, have been really hurt. A person close to Hwayoung even sent a message to one of the T-ara members with not so nice comments.

So can we hear from them instead of just rhetoric from you?

Also, was that a ploy at sympathy for the staff? How about pay them more then? What the fuck?

Q. If there was no bullying and Hwayoung was discharged for her own wrongdoings, do you not have thoughts of revealing all the evidence?

It’s upsetting that something that started out like play between the young members is heading towards the direction of condemning individuals. (Waves the documents he is holding) However, if I reveal these documents, then it’ll create an even bigger problem. T-ara will go on with their activities like nothing had ever happened.

*Whisper*

JYP

*Whisper

—–

While the interview is cute or whatever, it represented something bigger to me, which is that KKS was finally attempting to take control of the narrative. Unsurprisingly then, after meeting with KKS, Hwayoung released a statement on Twitter, which basically confirmed to me that she was back under his control.

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.”

People SHOULD stop harassing T-ara members, but that “please stop now” part just screams “Kim Kwang Soo told me to say this, so here I go”.

That impression was furthered by an amazingly coincidental chance encounter with a reporter on her way to CCM headquarters.

When the reporter asked, “Where are you going?“, Hwayoung is said to have replied, “I just uploaded an apology post. I’m going to go apologize to the CEO right now. I feel really bad. He has been good to me.”

Seeing the reporter’s rather pitiful expression at her statement, Hwayoung reportedly assured him, ”Why are you like this. I’m okay. Don’t worry about me,” with a bright smile, surprising the reporter.

Hwayoung is then said to have added, “I don’t hold a grudge against him (CEO, Kim Kwang Soo). He treated me very well. I am just regretful of all the damage that is being done because of me. So I’m going to go apologize.”

The CEO revealed, “Hwayoung showed up without any notice, so I was quite surprised. She started crying as soon as she sat down… I first explained to her why we had no choice but to terminate her contract and about the incident regarding the live broadcast, Hwayoung stated, ‘I don’t know why I acted in such a manner. I think I was acting out because I was angry and upset.’ She seemed to be regretting her actions.”

He also added, “When I asked Hwayoung what she was going to do from now on, she said, ‘I’ll go somewhere else and become a good rapper… I’ll wait with an open heart.’ So I told her once we both find some peace, we can discuss her future course of action.”

“It’s like when your children fight because they were in bad moods. But because of it, stories about bullying and internal troubles arise and make the situation difficult… It was so upsetting seeing a frivolous argument spread into a critical situation for the group,” he concluded.

How convenient.

Much like how her sister Hyoyoung is still under company control and was helping her to headquarters. Probably not related pieces of information, right? Of course.

Hell, even their father got in on the action.

On the morning of August 1st, reporters of E-Today were able to reach out to him through a phone call. The father spared his words, leaving a short statement saying, “I’m sorry.”

However, after his apology, he kept silent when asked further about his thoughts on the controversy surrounding his daughter and T-ara. To the questions that followed, he replied, “I don’t have anything in particular to say. I’ll leave it as no comment.”

Amazing. How much do you want to bet that their meeting with KKS involved him threatening them? It’s probably a safe wager.

Seriously though, the only thing that was made clear to me through all of this is that Kim Kwang Soo is in control of everybody involved now. Whether it’s Hwayoung or her parents or the group members or anybody else, when they open their mouth, it’s going to be him speaking for them.

We’ll see if it works, but at this stage, it seems almost too little and too late.