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T-ara's Tears Have Become Pearls Girl Group T-ara welcomed their 4th anniversary recently. Once having enjoyed top popularity, this gemstone-like girl group has suffered hurt. The arrival and departure of some members (Hwayoung and Areum) and unconfirmed conjecture was discussed fervently. Their popularity that was not easily accumulated over the years seemed to have been destroyed in an instant. They seem to match the “5 year crisis” that idol groups commonly face in the Korean music industry where idols’ contracts [last around 5 years]. To say that they are not burdened must be a lie. After the controversy that broke out in July last year, T-ara did not respond to any Korean media interviews. Because they believed that if they silently continued their own way, one day, their fans will understand them and any momentary misunderstandings will be resolved. In this case, we are not here to pick at their scars. To talk about T-ara’s past, present, and future – something that they will have to face sooner or later – we carefully conducted our interview. T-ara’s Eunjung who found courage to meet with Billboard Korea said “We cried a lot.” But they still continue to smile brightly. Q: If you were to think back to the past 4 years? A: We don’t feel like it’s already been 4 years. It still feels like we are rookies who’ve just reached 2 years. Compared to the actual number of years, we’ve been busy with a lot of activities. Other than music broadcasts, member’s individual acting activities, sub-unit activities, and musicals, we’ve lived such busy lives that we couldn’t even sleep a lot, time just passed by in the blink of an eye. Thinking about being able to achieve today’s position and to receive our fan’s love… Our fans’ congratulations have made our shoulders feel heavier, and our sense of responsibility has grown as well. In the future, we will be more careful about every word we say and everything we do. Q: The most memorable activity is? A: Bo Peep Bo Peep. It was a song that showed off the charisma that only belonged to us. The first time we put on the tails on our costume and wore the cat paws, we really didn’t like it. We wanted to be a cool and pretty girl group, and we wondered, do we really have to do this? But it was through this song that we achieved our first number 1 and even made it to Japan’s Oricon chart. If we used this song as a starting point, all of T-ara’s other concept and music were never too over the top. It was the song that allowed other countries to know our name. Q: From debut to now, things that have changed and things that have not changed are: A: The way we think has changed, and we’ve become more mature. When we first debuted we did not have our own goals, we were just like kids who did whatever our company told us to do. Now, we will positively think about everything we do, and we also understand the preciousness of fate that allows us to meet even the strangers who pass by us for a second. The things that have not changed is, even though we are no longer that young, the members still love to joke and play. Everyday is a continuation of a sitcom. This is what motivates us to stand on stage happily. Q: Thoughts about the “5 year crisis” that idol groups face A: Our crisis seems to have come a bit early. Haha. This seems to turn out for the better, it’s as if such a crisis does exist as people say. Although the sayings about members’ conflict and bullying will follow us around like labels, we think that as long as it is not true then it is fine. We won’t worry too much about it. If such sayings were true, then it would be very distressful, but the stories are all different from reality. It is not something that we can resolve even if we worried about it. The motivation for the T-ara who has become mature. T-ara is truly the “Korean Digital Sales Queens.” Lovey Dovey was number 1 on Gaon Chart in the first half of 2012, defeating Big Bang. In 2011, they also achieved number 1 on Gaon's Annual Aggregate Digital Chart through Roly Poly. That year, their Japanese debut track “Bo Peep Bo Peep” also made it onto the Oricon weekly chart. Even when involved in endless controversies, T-ara’s music and stage performance were also recognized. “Sexy Love,” which was hesitantly released when T-ara was surrounded by a lot of rumours, and the summer track “Bikini” also charted and achieved a “long run.” Their recently released second Japanese album “Treasure Box” also charted number 1 on Oricon on the day it was released. Q: What is the secret to popularity? A: There is no special secret. First, we have to thank the composers who give us good songs. And also the fans and company staff who support us by telling us “everything will be better,” they’ve given us a lot of motivation. As a result, we gained confidence. We work hard on stage to compensate for our inadequacy, these all seem to have a combined effect. When speaking about T-ara’s energy, we have also borrowed from the popularity of the retro dance and the shuffle dance. Unknowingly, our performances are able to show off “T-ara’s image” and “T-ara’s concept.” To have a defined colour and flavour, we are really happy. Q: Don’t you feel tired to have such active overseas schedules? A: Although getting used to the time difference is always difficult, it is the most difficult when the food doesn’t suit our tastes. In the end sleep become our best medicine. Actually, every member seemed to have lost weight without intentionally dieting. Like a normal girl group, we eat well and don’t pick and choose when it comes to food. Q: What do you do when you rest? A: Watch movies, eat good food. When we are in Japan, we often go to Harajuku but we have not been there recently because we’ve been busy. Q: Isn’t this just the right age for dating? A: Although the work we have now is good, we still want to date. Just like a normal university student, a romantic stroll around campus while holding hands, a date in the library. It seems like the more we are not able to do it, the more we want to do it. My ideal type is someone who has a manly side, but who also has the soft side of someone young, someone who is kind and well-mannered. Appearance is not important. It’ll be great if it is someone who is able to let other people feel his charisma and charm that is unique to him. Q: What kind of artists do you want to be remembered as? A: The strengths of artists who have been active for 1 year and those who have been active for 10 years are different. I hope when people think about T-ara, they will smile and say “Ah they really had a difficult time then” or “They were really great then”, I hope that we can be a familiar and warm group in their memories. A group that is able to show off different styles like a chameleon. Or even to the point of getting critiqued by people “Do you have a split personality?” A group that doesn’t stop changing and is able to show and convey a message through their music. Q: To T-ara, CCM’s present Kim Kwang Soo is: A: The only person who can make us happy and feel tired at the same time. He has weakened a lot. He used to always lecture and scold us, but recently he asks us for our opinion and shares with us his difficulties. He has the feel of the powerless arms of a father who is growing old. His emotions are also becoming very rich and abundant, it seems like it is time for us to take care of him instead. Q: A word to your fans? A: Thankful. For always believing and watching over us no matter what. To be able to lay aside right or wrong and to believe and wait for someone is really something that is not easy. We don’t look at our fan club as one group, but now we see each fan individually, one person by one person. They are all precious. Even for those who cannot support us as fans until the end, we won’t feel sad or resentful. We won’t forget those people who have given us love up to this day. T-ara has become stronger, their hearts steadier. They are no longer a girl group that has an extravagant exterior, but have become a pearl that shines quietly and faintly. The beginning of a glistening pearl is also created from a wound. Famous Korean poet Jeong Ho Seung said “A beautiful gemstone can only be created with time, brimming sincerity, and the embracing of trauma.” It is time for the future of T-ara, who will soon enter the US market, to catch the eyes of the public once again. Original article: http://www.billboard.co.kr/?c=v&m=v1&idx=37066 Translated by via Chinese Subs by TCN: http://tieba.baidu.com/p/2556657897

T-ara N4, December US Billboard Debut T-ara began subunit activities in the beginning of this year through T-ara N4 and QBS. Their styles are different. T-ara N4 is targeted at the American/European market while QBS is targeted at Asian countries like Japan and China etc. Eunjung explained "If you say that you can feel the unique and true colors of the 6 members of T-ara when we are together, then the subunits are a different side of us." T-ara N4 gathered together the "strong" women and their music is filled with a strong and hip hop atmosphere. QBS is the opposite, very feminine, and is made up of the members who fit the image of white dresses by the sea and under the blue sky. Eunjung smiling, said "Both images are very good," "Because we can't do both at the same time, we don't feel greedy about the subunits." The subunit that has received special attention is T-ara N4. They have knocked on the doors of the US market, and received the praise of hip-hop star Chris Brown. Previously in May, they went to America and set up their future music activities with Chris Brown and T.I etc. At their interview with Billboard Korea, T-ara revealed for the first time parts of their plan for the US market. Their US album is starting to take shape. Their debut date may be December of this year. In their single album, two new English songs will be recorded along with the new version of Jeonwon Diary. The English version of Jeonwon Diary was arranged by Chris Brown personally. The title song has not yet been determined, but it should be one of the new songs. Jiyeon said, "We've finished recording it and it is a very exciting and electronic dance genre song," "There will be a featuring by a pop star which will surprise people." Their contract is signed with America's Empire Records. There are still some who remain doubtful and refuse to believe this, turning up their noses at the news of T-ara entering the US market and even making fun of their outdoor performance when they were invited by Chris Brown, saying that they've only performed on a small stage and whether all this hype is an exaggeration. At this, T-ara did not have any response. Because of some controversies, their music achievements has been downplayed and belittled. T-ara lightly said, "Theres nothing we can do about this, it seems like it is something we must face," "If we were to explain, why not perform to our best instead, and make those who like our music believe us. We cannot force the public to like us." Very frustrated. Not every performance is a large scale performance. "Whether the performance venue is big or small doesn't matter. Even if there is only one person in the audience, standing on stage itself is something to be happy and excited about" This is what they think. That there were some problems of communication is true. Eunjung said, "Honestly, we were alarmed when we saw how narrow the stage was. But this was not anybody's fault. It's just that we should have carefully asked for more details, there was just inadequate flow of information prior to the performance. Chris Brown also performed on that stage the same way we did. But our performance seemed to have been distorted and misrepresented, as if we performed on a stage that was not meant to be stood on, we are a bit sad about that." Chris Brown is still a supporter of T-ara. Chris Brown and T-ara member Dani are close and this along with some musical aspects of T-ara N4 is why he came to this decision. T-ara said about themselves "We are lucky." Reviews of T-ara as the "Girl Group with the Most Korean Flavour" plus the use of Tae Pyeong So (traditional Korean music instrument) in Jeonwon Diary caught the interest of the relevant people involved with their overseas album. Recently, T-ara has been busy learning English and Japanese. The members expressed "We never even dreamed that we could enter America," "Because we could not adequately prepare/learn foreign language like other groups, and because an opportunity like this is rare, we will work hard," They are not afraid of failure. T-ara said "We might not succeed. If we started to have these worries, then we should not start altogether." "If we continue our activities with a sincere attitude, then we should be able to achieve a good result. After Japan's Oricon chart, we want to leave a mark on a page of the US Billboard chart too." Original article: http://media.daum.net/m/media/newsview/20130826171510678 Translated via Chinese subs by TCN: http://tieba.baidu.com/p/2556263953

Can't help but cry after reading this interview. I love Eunjung's answers. She was always mature when she needs to be and she is continuing to grow. She is really brave. It makes me sad to remember the sad time. I can't imagine how she feels when she was asked and open the wounds,especially as she was the one mostly affected. Like she said, that scandal will most likely follow them everyday wherever they go like a label. But as long as they know that it wasn't true, they can held their heads high and continue and stay strong. They will face every trial, obstacle or typhoon. As long as there is one who believes in them, they will keep going. I believe this character is what Korean society needs. Lately, netizens and media have too much power that they can push someone to suicide. As T-ara makes it through all what happened, it will be an example and testament that even if majority hate and criticize, one can survive and make it through for as long as one remain strong and resilient. Like T-ara. Of course, it is because of those who support them, no matter how few. T ara and queen's, fighting.

[13.08.27] Video - T-ara @ K-Star Lovers ***** Credit: chesskidgaf @ youtube

[AD/PROMO] T-ara for F to F Magazine October 2013 (08/21) Cre: T-ARA JAPAN + loveisallthesame + diadem

As much as I want them to be successful, well, all Queen's want them to be successful, I cant over look the fact that American crowd isnt for them.. But would certainly like to keep my hopes high and see them ranking high or would even dare to say, killing the charts.. and this "If we continue our activities with a sincere attitude, then we should be able to achieve a good result. After Japan's Oricon chart, we want to leave a mark on a page of the US Billboard chart too." Now, that's some T-ara's attitude I was missing for almost over a year.. Damn proud of T-ara. They, without a doubt, can treat them w/ Damn Respect and hold their heads high coz they worth earned it..

This interview assures me again that the event that happened in Las Vegas has been put to rest already. Hearing about Chris Brown still supportive of T-ara is a good indication that such a mistake on his part is forgiven in a good way. This is another redeeming step for him, and shows he is still trying to better himself, while working with one of the best top female girl groups from South Korea. T-ara is gaining in the U.S. and that's a good thing. T-ara has always had this outstanding, preserving drive to succeed, no matter what the circumstances are, and it still shows brightly in all of them. I am so very proud of T-ara for enduring and fighting onwards, not just for themselves, but for their fans. I hope to hear more good news from them in their endeavors around the world, especially in the U.S. Perhaps this list might help clear up any misunderstandings about asians in the U.S. market. I, among many, feel like this will be a success for T-ara in a big way. I don't see a problem about T-ara and Core Contents Media making money in the U.S. when there are fans there. Currently, there's no official release yet for the English version of the song, so I highly doubt whatever that has been speculated as the song itself, shouldn't really be considered as a means to compare to the other official versions of it. I won't worry about their Japan activities, as with other artists on any chart around the world, sales do sometimes slow down, and I'm sure they will promote again in Japan at another time. But for now, they are readying themselves to enter the U.S. Given in this interview, even if there's a single person in the audience, it will not be the end of the careers. So there's really no need to worry.

I just want to say that as a true and loyal Queen, I am glad that T-ara has made it this far and remained powerfully strong to make it this far, especially after that very bad scandal last year surrounding their former fellow member, Hwayoung. And I know that T-ara will stick around for many more years to come and get through fun times and very tough times together. Plus, I know that they will also become one of many girl groups out there that can break through the five year curse and continue taking the world by storm until they're old enough to retire. And i'm looking forward to more amazing things lined up for the girls, including T-ara N4's official American debut this December and i'm so sure that everyone in the United States will give T-ara N4 all the love and support they absolutely deserve. I sure will continue to be a true Queen and support T-ara in everything that they do. And I know for sure that no one and nothing will ever bring the girls down at all. Those haters can talk trash all they want but what they're saying will do nothing else but to bring the girls all the way up to the top in just a drop of a pin. T-ara will absolutely stick around forever and all those haters out there are just going to deal with it whether they like it or not. It's that easy to do and it's not going to be extra hard to do at all. T-ARA FIGHTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

makes me so proud reading such mature words I pray that we, T-ara and Queen's, will stay around for a long long time cos we are so strong.

Hate to say this but I have bad feeling about this

Cre: CorecontentMedia Twitter + loveisallthesame + Tiaradiadiem

[13.08.27] Video HD - T-ARA @ Han Love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC9vKuqEfhk&feature=youtu.be ***** Credit: tarabunnystyle @ youtube

Queen's OP. Seriously.. No matter how divided we are at times.. There will always be one thing we will always agree to.. These girls will always be in our hearts. I am proud to be part of this fandom

I'm proud to be one of their fans..a year from now, two years from now, or even ten years from now, I will still be proud that I am their fan and they are my idols.. I will never grow tired of them..

With their strong heart, our girls will go through this and prove they are real and true pearl. It's bitter sweet answers that make my cry. I hope and pray for them to find happiness and not to suffer any more.

the storm is passing everyday and the sun is shinning brighter and brighter... the coal that started 4years ago is becoming a more and more expensive diamond... JIYEONHYOMINEUNJUNGSOYEONQRIBORAM for many more years to come, we will forever be cheering u on through bad or good times... T-ARA fighting !! KKS, we dont know what kind of a man he is but we would all still need to thank him for giving us our 6 angels

that was impressive @@ i mean there are really not many groups that can be such optimistic like our T-ara. but to speak the truth i don't really hope much for this plan...well, at least they have fans there who will buy their music, but USA is a whole different system. however i have no other choice but to cheer for them. let's just wait and see

ALL I CAN SAY IS GOOD LUCK GIRLS Not really optimistic about this but oh well, only through taking risks will success reveal itself, t-ara N4 fighting ! we are always behind your back !

I wish them more success. More love. More of confidence. More of fighting Spirit. More of happiness. I just love this girls so much. But i laughed at the answer of eunjung regarding the 5 yr crisis. Yeah, it is a bit too early lol XD

So happy to hear some wisdom and maturity from Eunjung T-ara is truly one of a kind. A group that can't be matched or brought down by negativity and hate, no matter how hard people try to destroy them. T-ara fighting!

This entire interview is the reason I love these girls. They are smart, tactful and graceful despite everything. The best part is the still have hope and I think they can weather this storm. I'm going to pray that KKS retires and someone competent takes over.

After reading Eunjung's interview with Billboard, her departure from SC, Dani's tweet, I can say that this debut is on the way. I pray and wish for the best for these girls. Road to success is never easy. They has a rough introduction to American stage, but it's not something to lose hope for. Sure ,more obstacles will come, not to mentioned what they had gone already, there is always hope that they will succeed in the end. As long as they stay strong, stay positive and work hard, their efforts will pay off. Many will doubt them, many will mock them, but I believe in them and will continue to support them.

Really love how Eunjeung carried herself in the interview.. T-ara's leadership may keep on rotating but (with a special nod to Soyeon's speaking skills and being a great leader during 'troubled times') I always consider Eunjeung as the true soul and driving spirit of T-ara. She is always the reliable one; confident, articulate and yet so humble; tough as a rock despite injuries and yet so cute, friendly & charming... This is just my personal opinion but if I have to quickly explain about the members to someone who doesn't know about T-ara it will be (in no particular order): Hyomin: the creative, crazy, and sexy one (actually my favorite) Qri: the shiny-sparkly one Soyeon: the sassy silky-voiced witty one Jiyeon: the drop dead gorgeous one Boram: cutey-shorty, the oldest but youngest one Eunjung? ...the number one

this article brings out the sadness and the happiness... It's hurtful every time mentioning the things that you want to forget, and as much as you try to erase it, it engraves in history! But just as the reason I first started to like T-ARA, T-ARA is a group of girls that are much stronger then they look, and there's so much more inside of them that you don't know about if you don't spend the time and will to find out and understand about them. Even though they are on the other half of the earth, I will with all my might support them wherever I am!! Once a Queen's, forever a Queen's !

I'll keep supporting them in every step of the way!! Hwaiting!

I absolutely don't have any doubts at all about T-ara N4's US debut that will take place in December for sure. I mean, I always remain true, loyal and optimistic about the girls, even when there are some little setbacks that won't ever affect the girls' American debut plans. I truly believe that everyone will absolutely love the girls and enjoy the brand new English version of their Korean debut single, "Jeon Won Diary". I truly see everything going pretty good for the girls as they prepare for their American debut and also as they make their US debut this December. And if they need some more time to get ready and delay the debut, I don't mind. So for sure, I know that it's going to be December because I know that T-ara N4 will return to the US and make their debut there before 2013 is through. I shall cheer T-ara N4 on as they take on the American music market this year and make their mark on the American music charts. I absolutely, totally, really, most definitely wish T-ara N4 the best of luck on their upcoming American debut