Welcome back to Diadem’s Roundtable series! Our first edition was a big success and this is EDITION #2!

If you’re unsure what this article will be about, I’ll fill you in very briefly! Every five to six weeks, Diadem will be publishing a new edition of a Roundtable where we interview our fellow QUEEN’S  to help our fandom either introduce QUEEN’S or help you get to know them better, and where they will be able to share some of their best T-ara stories. As not only T-ara’s international fansite, but also T-ara’s biggest fansite, we are constantly striving to make the community between QUEEN’S bigger and stronger, and with this new series we hope to take a leap forward in that goal!

For our second edition, two of the QUEEN’S interviewed were chosen after they commented on the first edition (Regius) and after they spread the article with the hashtag #DiademRoundtable (A.Kris). The first interviewee reigns from Sydney, Australia and is arcadey who is very well-known in the QUEEN’s fandom for his blog, arcadey.net (formerly TheProphetBlog), and his support of T-ara during their hard times. The second is Regius who many Diadem members are familiar with since he’s always active over on our Forums. Regius is from the Philippines. Thirdly, we have a QUEEN’S who is constantly super nice and kind to everyone and also happens to be a Diadem moderator, Snaildot. Snaildot lives in Malaysia. Our final interviewee is A.Kris who is from Vietnam. She’s known as @fysakris on Twitter where she was chosen for the Roundtable and I suggest any Jingchins to go check it out right now because it’s completely full of Jiyeon!

Do you want to be featured in Diadem’s next edition of Roundtable? Stay tuned to the end of the article to find out how you could be featured in the next one!

Q1: How did you get introduced to T-ara and what attracted you to become their fan?

arcadey: I first started properly getting into K-pop when 2NE1 were about to release their To Anyone album. I guess because they were so mainstream and Westernized they were an easy entry point into K-pop for someone like me, who at that point was only really familiar with the English-language K-pop stuff from Se7en, Wonder Girls, and BoA. I then discovered “Bo Peep Bo Peep” through a Korean friend and loved it, but mostly just as a fun novelty song at that point. Then my other close friend who had been getting into K-pop with me told me that he had downloaded Absolute First Album and that it was a “must have,” so I gave it a try. I became hooked on the album straight away and genuinely fell in love with it, which led me to love “YaYaYa” despite the fact that I had hated it when it first came out. I still wasn’t exactly a QUEEN’S at that stage, but Dream High had just came out and I decided to watch it since I was a new fan of T-ara and IU, and my friend (who had put me onto Absolute First Album) loved miss A. I was instantly blown away by Eunjung’s character, acting, and beauty (especially compared to the rest of the female cast who I felt lacked talent and visuals compared to Eunjung), so I became a Eunjung stan pretty fast. That then translated into me becoming completely obsessed with T-ara. By the time they had announced their “Roly-Poly” comeback I was a total QUEEN’S and familiar with all the members and the group’s discography.

T-ara “emo-gothic” concept at “Cry Cry” music video shoot

Snaildot: I used to be a Cassie a few years back when DBSK was at the peak of their popularity. But then I lost my interest in K-pop after their disbandment in 2009/2010. Since then, I stopped watching Korean shows, [but that was] until I met T-ara. I was asked by a friend to watch the “Cry Cry” music video back in January 2012. That was the first time I heard of T-ara’s name. After watching the video, I fell in love with that emo-gothic girl concept. I started to Google T-ara and became addicted to their music and shows. Their music is superb! “Cry Cry”, “Lovey-Dovey”, “Roly-Poly”, “Day by Day”, “Sexy Love” (just to name a few) are all great. Seriously, I never liked any girl group before T-ara.

Regius: I heard of “T-ara” when the localized/dubbed version of Coffee House was being promoted; around then I was like “…okay, must be a K-pop girl group member.” I have to admit, it didn’t stop me watching Coffee House and loving Eunjung’s role in it. I’ve also watched God of Study the first time it aired on KBS World (however, back then I just thought Jiyeon was an actress, albeit a very pretty one). But I really got interested when I saw Dream High 2 and then soon after God of Study encore back in 2012 (which is what I call my 1-2 punch). I recognized Jiyeon and was curious enough to check her profile. Soon after that I learned about T-ara, and started watched their MVs and variety shows, bought Breaking Heart… the rest is history.

Jiyeon as Na Hyunjung in God of Study

A.Kris: It was thanks to my sister. On one of our Saturday drama nights, she decided that God of Study was the next one we were going to watch. Then I saw this pretty girl with weird-looking eyes [who played] a funny yet annoying character, Na Hyunjung. As I continued to watch the drama, her character turned out to be the most unpredictably interesting one. I think its because of her natural acting back then that I fell in love with the character which was undeniably charming. Yes, God of Study was the start of my love for Jiyeon and T-ara like an uncountable number of other QUEEN’S.

What attracted me to become T-ara’s fan is just another typical QUEEN’S story: “I GO CRAZY BECAUSE OF YOU”. It was a masterpiece and still remains as one of my favorite songs in history until now. I just fall in love easily with artists who have good songs, but the way they still manage to stay in my head until now is a different story.

Q2: Which T-ara member do you feel is the most similar to you and why?

arcadey: I feel so embarrassed answering this, but probably Qri. People who follow me online from my blogging and stuff probably think I am extroverted and confident, but in real life I’m much different. Like Qri, I’m more introverted and in my own world, and do my own thing without caring or paying much attention to others. And like Qri, I’m not particularly talented or good at anything, but somehow I get by. Also Soyeon, because she’s shady and likes to troll people. Soyeon and Qri’s IDGAF attitude is something I can relate to.

Snaildot: Jiyeon *cough cough* The same as her, I don’t like shopping and I’d rather sleep at home than going out. I don’t gain weight no matter how much I eat. I like simple clothes rather than fancy dresses.

Regius: I would say no one in particular. It’s like Zodiac signs or blood types or other personality tests – speaking broadly could be similar to anyone. But here is what I can relate to with individual members: Boram – food over shopping/other stuff; Qri – laid back, or “I don’t care, just let others decide”; Soyeon – being (very) cerebral; Eunjung – obsessive-compulsive streak; Hyomin – doing wacky stuff at the most inopportune moments; Jiyeon – “I’d rather stay at home.”

A.Kris: I suppose I wouldn’t want to compare the unique members of T-ara with anyone else, but rather than that there are characteristics of them that I would like to resemble. If I have to choose, my answers would be Eunjung, for her open mind; Jiyeon for her independence tendency; and Qri for her calmness.

Q3: If T-ara could take a concept from any other girl group, which concept/group would you like to see them take from and do?

Twin Peaks (American serial drama) fashion

arcadey: There isn’t any other group that I would want T-ara to get inspired by because most of T-ara’s concepts come from film, television, that kind of thing. I would rather see them do another cinematic concept. If they did a Twin Peaks concept that would be amazing. Dark, mysterious, stylish, sexy, and a little retro. T-ara is the only group that could do it justice because of their chameleon ability to do any concept. Actually, their striped “No. 9” outfits looked like The Black Lodge from Twin Peaks, and some top magazines like Elle and Glamour have done some Twin Peaks-inspired fashion photo spreads lately (see below) and they looked great. CCM should do it since ’90s nostalgia is still going strong and there’s a Twin Peaks blu-ray box set coming out that’s getting tonnes of publicity. AND Twin Peaks is huge in Japan. Make it happen, CCM!

Snaildot: I want them to try out 2NE1’s fiery concept, as in “I’m The Best”. As we know, T-ara is so used to doing the cute concept. It will be great if they could try a fierce concept at least once.

Regius: I don’t follow K-pop per se, but if there is something comes to mind, it’s Girl’s Day’s “Expectation”. Suspenders. In terms of concept, outside their signature catchy or serious songs, I guess three things come to mind: 1) something inspirational; 2) something slow and seductive; 3) something light or nonsensical. Okay, those are themes, not concepts. For an actual concept, I don’t know, perhaps freestyle dancing. Something like a cross of the solo choreos in “Roly-Poly” and T-ara individual highlights in “Do You Know Me”. Like each member has a signature style while singing their lines – I’m no music expert so just a random thought.

A.Kris: I suppose there will be no answer for this question. Even if T-ara does a so-called cute/sexy concept, for me, T-ara’s concept will have something that is distinctive from the typical K-pop girl groups. Their concepts are entertaining and unpredictable and remain as the best ones in K-pop. A professionally pulled-off “dreamlike fantasy” concept (which is more common for boys) or a “restrained-sexy” concept featuring classy movements and gazes of the eyes. [It] could redefine the typical girl group sexy concept since if it can succeed on it’s own with an undeniable seduction despite being covered up in clothes. I would be just completely satisfied with the concepts they [make their own], too. And what concept Hyomin is going to do this time makes me curious and excited!

Q4: What has been your happiest moment as part of the QUEEN’S fandom?

arcadey: There isn’t one, but I like when QUEEN’S make fun of T-ara and joke about the group’s scandals. It shows that QUEEN’S are a bit different to other fandoms in that we have an offbeat sense of humor and like things that are a little messy. I also love when QUEEN’S and SONES support each other because I feel both groups share many of the same fans so it’s good when we help each other out. SONES always have to defend Girls’ Generation because they’re Asia’s No. 1 group and it causes a lot of resentment from other fandoms, just like QUEEN’S have to defend T-ara from their scandals, so we all know what it’s like to be targeted unfairly by haters.

T-ara at their Malaysian Showcase press conference on October 2nd, 2012

Snaildot: When they came to Malaysia in 2012 for the Malaysian showcase and also in 2013 for the Golden Disk Awards. I went to see their performances in these two occasions and it was damn awesome. I couldn’t stop jumping, seriously! I also went to greet them at the airport and managed to at least shake hands with Eunjung and Areum. The feeling of meeting them in person was indescribable.

Regius: I would not say a precise moment. Whether it’s in one of their MVs, or in variety, or a character in a drama, I just love them. What can I say, I’m enamored. They just have this charm. It’s entertainment, in a good way. In the event that I get the chance to meet and interact with T-ara (not a fan-meet), then I’ll consider that as the “happiest” moment.

A.Kris: The happiest moment for me and most QUEEN’S would possibly be the “Roly-Poly” era. Back then we had T-ara music everywhere, T-ara’s faces were all over TV stations, and no one would have a reason to deny they were just an indestructible digital monster. It was the start of their peak of popularity, which was followed by great appreciation from the public. But now that I think about it, maybe it isn’t [the happiest moment]. The moment they dared to stand up again as 6 on stage against the judging and hatred of the crowd is what I will never forget. The “Roly-Poly” era made me happy for them, but the legendary “Number 9” stage in that Hallyu Dream Concert made me RESPECT them. There is a quote that says, “The moment you find out why you were born is the happiest moment in your life.” The moment I saw them on stage, strong and fearless, after all those days, is the moment I knew why I’m in this fandom.

Q5: Besides performing as T-ara, what kind of other activities or paths would you like to see the members of T-ara doing in the future?

arcadey: They’re a versatile group that can dabble in everything, so I think I’d just like to see them go back to working in all different fields of the entertainment industry like they did pre-scandal. Eunjung’s return to acting is the top priority since she really had her acting career unjustly taken from her. Hyomin doing more work in fashion would be good, similar to how Seo Inyoung is recognized for her style and even hosts a beauty show. I also think a Hyomin/Eunjung unit group would be amazing if it focused on music and vocals like their iconic Immortal Song performance. I don’t know if Soyeon’s voice is powerful enough to do a singing show like Immortal Song, but I’d like her to do more reality TV and variety work, maybe We Got Married with Oh Jonghyuk, as well as contributing to OSTs. Boram and Qri would make a cute MC duo. They should work on their MCing skills and then go out as an MC team.

Snaildot: I wish they could appear more in dramas, perhaps all six of them in one drama. It would be awesome to watch them acting together.

Regius: I couldn’t decide on anything specific. So long as T-ara continues to be active, whether solos, dramas, movies, it doesn’t matter. Except for horror since I’m not a big fan of it (to say the least).

A.Kris: Jiyeon’s solo activities have so far been a success, at least to me. I got to see an aspect of her that I’ve never known and Jiyeon got the chance to show herself like she never has before. That’s a success already. So I want to see more of what she can do as a soloist. In that sense, I’m also keen on seeing how the other members will change if they stand separately [as solos]. They are bound to keep showing new potentials that they couldn’t show in 6-ara. In addition to that, I would pity the Korean drama industry if Eunjung wouldn’t get a chance to show her amazing acting again! I’m looking forwards to her acting in a new genre that she’s never tried, such as a romantic love story maybe. If someone is to have Eunjung as an MC, then that’s a good idea as well. And how about Hyomin and Qri opening a fashion brand of their own someday in the near future? Even though they are not strikingly outstanding among all other fashionistas, I think it’s worth trying as well.

Follow arcadey on Twitter at @arcadeyblog and check out his website http://arcadey.net/
Regius does not have any social media links but you can contact him via the Forums!
Follow Snaildot on Twitter at @Snaildot!
Follow A.Kris on Twitter at @fysakris!

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Are you interested in being featured in Diadem’s next edition of our Roundtable series? If so, you have TWO opportunities to be chosen for it and there is only one requirement!: You must be a Diadem member.

The first way is to simply leave a comment telling us what you thought about this article and our new series. The second way is to use your Twitter account to retweet THIS TWEET about #DiademRoundtable.

The third way is to share this article via Twitter in one of your own tweets and include the hashtag #DiademRoundtable.

All in all, you have up to three ways to enter into the random drawing to be chosen for the next edition of Diadem’s Roundtable. In three to four weeks, we will be randomly be contacting TWO different QUEEN’S who have either commented, retweeted, or tweeted about this article and asking for them to join in for our Edition #2!