CCM’s CEO Kim Kwang Soo celebrates his birthday with Gang Kiz

A photo of Core Contents Media CEO Kim Kwang Soo celebrating his birthday with Gang Kiz on August 9th is receiving much attention.

A post surfaced on an online community board along with the picture, which shows the CEO surrounded by the members of Gang Kiz while celebrating the occasion.

Netizens who came across the photo responded, “I don’t think it’s time to be celebrating when the situation regarding T-ara hasn’t died down“, “I guess he should at least celebrate his birthday“, “Is Gang Kiz getting ready to officially indulge in their activities now?“, and more.

Source & Image: Financial News via Nate

T-Jinyo representatives reject Kim Kwang Soo’s offer to meet

The representatives of T-Jinyo (‘We Demand the Truth about T-ara‘) have rejected Core Content Media CEO Kim Kwang Soo‘s offer to meet.

The CEO offered to meet with T-Jinyo earlier today in order to clear up any alleged misunderstandings about the recent issues concerning T-ara and former member Hwayoung.

On August 3 KST, T-Jinyo made a post titled, “We’ll let you know about the meeting between Core Contents Media and T-Jinyo.”

The contents stated, “After speaking with the organizer of this meeting, we’ve decided that we will not meet with CCM. We feel that it would be faster to get the truth from the T-ara members themselves rather than Kim Kwang Soo.”

“If the representatives of T-Jinyo and Kim Kwang Soo were to meet, it would be an [open and clear] meeting. T-Jinyo is not a simple anti-fan cafe, so we will not be appearing as a whole. Please send any questions concerning the protest to ‘Sajungyeon’ (social union) rather than to T-Jinyo. T-Jinyo is a cafe for public indignation, while Sajungyeon is a cafe for people who would like to take action.”

T-Jinyo will hold their protest on August 4 at 5PM KST in front of the Core Contents Media building.

Source: Osen

Kim Kwang Soo offers to meet with representatives of T-Jinyo

CEO of Core Contents Media, Kim Kwang Soo, has offered to meet with three representatives from online community, ‘T-Jinyo‘ (‘We Demand the Truth about T-ara‘).

On August 3rd, CCM representatives revealed, “Kim Kwang Soo has proposed a meeting with three representatives of the members of T-Jinyo.”

The proposal calls for a meeting between Kim Kwang Soo, three individuals from T-Jinyo, and two public-culture critics, while excluding all media.

Kim Kwang Soo shared, “I will listen to all that they have to say about T-ara and the situation, and completely resolve all their curiosities and leave not a single doubt.”

“Choose anyone that can represent T-Jinyo and  leave your decision as an official notice on the T-Jinyo cafe by 5PM on August 3rd… I’m saying this again, but it is definitely not a story involving bullying,” he added.

In related news, T-Jinyo has declared that they will be going ahead with their protest on August 4th, but with only 30 members as the police will not allow more due to regulations in the area.

Source: Newsen via Nate

Hwayoung and sister Hyoyoung revealed to have visited different entertainment agency

It’s been reported that previous T-ara member Hwayoung and sister Hyoyoung went to visit an entertainment agency other than Core Contents Media, on the 1st of August.

The two sisters, who went to visit CCM’s president Kim Kwang Soo the day before on the 31st KST, were revealed to have met with a representative of Maru Entertainment.

Although details of the conversation are undisclosed, people are convinced that the meeting may have been taken to mediate the current issues at hand. Maru Entertainment’s president Lee Jae Hyuk is reported to have ties to CCM, and it seems that Hwayoung is communicating with Maru Entertainment after discussions with CCM.

Hwayoung posted the statement ”Please stop now“ on her Twitter account on the 30th, and as of this moment, the dispute between the two parties appears to have been settled.

On the 1st, the president of CCM made an official statement regarding his conversation with Hwayoung, stating that the discord between and artist and himself has been resolved. During this time, Core Contents Media stated that Hwayoung had expressed her desire to go her own way and pursue her own music.

The question of whether or not Hwayoung will return to T-ara has yet to be answered. Many are curious to find out if she and Core Contents Media will continue talking it out, or if Hwayoung will explore a new route with a different agency.

Source + Image: Osen

T-ara’s first domestic concert to be postponed

T-ara‘s first domestic concert, which was originally scheduled for August 11th, will be postponed.

Despite earlier announcements that stated that the group will go on with all their planned activities, T-ara has been canceling upcoming events with the backlash they’ve currently been receiving from the public.

As such, it seemed inevitable that their upcoming domestic concert would have to face changes in plans as well.

“The upcoming T-ara concert on the 11th has been postponed,” Core Contents Media stated. “The members of T-ara desperately requested for the agency to postpone their first domestic concert on the 11th.”

The representative also added, “While talking it over with CEO Kim Kwang Soo, the members stated, ‘In a situation like this, we don’t think we can show fans bright, happy, and lively sides of ourselves on stage. Fans will probably not enjoy seeing us that way as well,’ and requested for the postponement of the concert.”

The issue of tickets being refunded was also mentioned by the agency when they stated, “Although reports claimed that large amounts of ticket refund requests had come in for T-ara’s first domestic concert, we’ve only received 20-30 requests.”

“We believe that the only way we can repay fans is for T-ara to become more mature and self-reflect in light of this situation and continue to create good music. With that said, we will be concluding ‘Day by Day‘ promotions,” said the agency.

In related news, although there will not be group activities for the time being, Soyeon, Eunjung, and Hyomin will be carrying on their individual activities with their respective dramas.

Source: Joynews

[Thanks to all those who sent this in!]

CCM reveals the dark side of Hwayoung, mudslinging ensues

Following their announcement regarding the termination of Hwayoung‘s contract, Core Contents Media recently revealed some of Hwayoung’s unacceptable behavior in the past, furthering the mudslinging.

According to CCM, after their Budokan concert and return to Korea on July 27th, T-ara was preparing to go on stage for a live broadcast of KBS‘s ‘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 with 2 groups left to go.

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.

On the way home, Hwayoung, in front of fans and reporters, threw down her crutches and sat on the floor, threatening to yell at the managers in public. It has also been revealed that Hwayoung has shown both fans and reporters a similar side to her, with unacceptable actions and behavior on the set of ‘Music Bank’.

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.”

 

Source + Image: Newsen

CCM’s CEO Kim Kwang Soo interviewed regarding Hwayoung’s departure

On the heels of the earth-shattering news of Hwayoung‘s departure from T-ara, Kim Kwang Soo, the CEO of Core Contents Media, sat down for a quick interview with South Korean media outlet Ilgan Sports.

The full interview follows below.

 

——

The press release is a bit vague. It seems to have actually inflated the controversy.

I can’t reveal everything. It’s the least amount of courtesy for the departing member. Please think carefully about who will be hurt if the truth is revealed.

 

There were reports of bullying. Are the fights between the members a big reason in the departure?

No. The relationship between the members are not a big problem. In fact, once you take control of a team, small problems can erupt. The bigger problem is the hardships faced by the staff members.

 

The problems with the staff was also in the official press release. What kind of problems existed?

I don’t want to go into detail, nor do I want to make personal attacks. But the staff were very tired after driving for the entire night and taking care of hair and makeup. There were several managers who cried, saying they wanted to quit. Although the artists are important, I believe that the sweat and tears of the staff are equally as important. I could not stand by watching this destruction of teamwork any longer.

 

If you go into a little more detail, would that not quell the controversy?

There were so many issues, but I really do not want to shed light on any of them, so I am keeping quiet. There were many examples of yelling at the members and breaking down the teamwork. How would the T-ara members feel, who had trained for over three years? I hope this issue is not inflated any further, (Hwayoung) I hope you stay quiet.

 

Source: Ilgan Sports via Naver