Hwayoung is known for her roles as an actress, model, and former member of the once-popular girl group T-ara. With her charming appearance and outstanding musical talent, she joined MBK Entertainment’s girl group, contributing to the spread of the “Hallyu wave” throughout Asia.
Soon after, Hwayoung accused her T-ara members of bullying, which quickly tarnished the previously positive image of the group. Netizens sympathized with her and called for a long-term boycott of T-ara.
After leaving the group and ending her contract with the former company, Hwayoung transitioned to acting and quickly found success. She consistently appeared in both film and television projects.
Just when it seemed the bullying scandal with T-ara had faded, evidence surfaced, accusing Hwayoung of lying about the bullying, exhibiting diva behavior, and faking injuries to garner public sympathy. At this point, the public turned against Hwayoung, leading her to temporarily step away from the entertainment industry.
Biography
- Full Name: Ryu Hwa Young (류화영)
- Date of Birth: April 22, 1993
- Nationality: South Korean
- Education: Kyung Hee University
- Occupation: Actress, Singer
- Sister: Ryu Hyo Young
- Years Active: 2014 – Present
- Management Company: Never Die Entertainment
- Instagram: ryu.hwayoung
Hwayoung’s music career as the new member of T-ara
If you’re familiar with Korean music or culture, you’ll recognize the name T-ara. This girl group from Core Contents Media debuted in 2009 and quickly became a leader in the Hallyu wave alongside DBSK, BIG BANG, SNSD, and 2NE1.
The original lineup of T-ara included Jiwon, Hyomin, Jiae, Jiyeon, and Eunjung, who was the leader. However, after two months, Jiwon and Jiae left the group for personal reasons.
Not long after, Kim Kwang Soo, the president of Core Contents Media, added Soyeon, Boram, and Qri to the group, marking a fresh breeze in K-pop with a non-fixed member model.
Upon debut, the six girls released a string of hits like “Lie,” “Time to Love,” and “Bo Peep Bo Peep,” which earned T-ara numerous music show trophies, rookie awards, and expanded their popularity across Asia.
At the end of 2010, Hwayoung was added as the group’s rapper. Known as Ryu Hwayoung, she was born in 1993 in Gwangju, South Korea, with a twin sister, Hyoyoung, who was also in the entertainment industry.
From this point, T-ara’s career saw significant changes, with the leader role transferring from Eunjung to Boram. In mid-2011, the group released “Roly Poly,” created by hitmaker Shinsadong Tiger.
The song quickly spread to over seventy countries, generating millions in revenue, and Hwayoung was warmly welcomed by the public.
Later, T-ara won several prestigious music awards, including Gaon Chart Kpop Awards and Melon Music Awards.
Building on their success, the seven girls from Core Contents Media focused on activities in Japan, the world’s second-largest music market. T-ara’s musical talent and striking choreography made them the first girl group to reach number one on the Oricon charts.
These girls gradually became beloved idols in Japan. After wrapping up promotions for “Roly Poly,” Hyomin replaced Boram as the leader and led T-ara to new achievements both at home and abroad.
In 2011, Core Contents Media’s CEO invested one billion KRW in a grand music project, “Cry Cry,” for his “precious artists.” T-ara’s return combined acting and music, setting new trends.
“Cry Cry,” a 30-minute music video, was meticulously crafted in terms of music quality, storyline, and famous guest stars like Ji Chang Wook and Cha Seung Won. The song brought weekly trophies and made waves in several countries.
Not long after, in early 2012, “Lovey Dovey” was released. It was a huge success, continuing the story of “Cry Cry” with over twenty minutes of footage. Hwayoung showcased her appeal in a bold and edgy transformation.
With their fresh and energetic songs, T-ara became an essential part of K-pop. At their peak, Kim Kwang Soo’s girl group was even seen as a formidable competitor for “nation’s girl group” status against Girls’ Generation.
The Shocking Bullying Scandal
In early 2012, Core Contents Media announced the addition of two new members, Areum and Dani. Fans voiced strong opposition to this decision.
Korean media commented that MBK’s CEO was overly ambitious, wanting T-ara to replicate the success of SNSD from SM Entertainment. However, this ambition was a “double-edged sword” that threatened T-ara’s career.
In July 2012, T-ara released “Day by Day,” marking Areum’s debut as an official member and Dani’s participation as an actress.
It seemed like this release would bring T-ara to new heights, but it was the start of the infamous bullying scandal, sending the hitmakers behind “Roly Poly” into a career tailspin.
The incident began during a performance in Japan, where Hwayoung sat out of the choreography due to an injury. Afterward, T-ara members posted cryptic messages about her on social media.
The controversy exploded, with Hwayoung and her twin sister Hyoyoung’s responses stirring public opinion and rumors of internal discord.
Netizens circulated alleged “evidence” of T-ara members bullying Hwayoung, cut from reality shows. Under public pressure, Core Contents Media terminated Hwayoung’s contract.
CEO Kwang Soo revealed that Hwayoung left due to staff complaints rather than bullying, and the members’ social media posts weren’t targeted at her. However, this only fueled the backlash.
Fans turned on T-ara, even becoming anti-fans. Within days, brand partnerships were canceled, and penalties soared. T-ara’s videos faced harsh comments, while MBK’s headquarters was vandalized.
The Ryu sisters’ social media jabs at T-ara and Hwayoung’s vulnerable appearance on television intensified the hate against T-ara. This was a nightmare for the young girls, facing discrimination from broadcasters, media, and viewers; some even issued “ultimatums” to T-ara.
Though T-ara made efforts to reclaim their reputation, they could not regain the public’s trust. Songs like “Number 9,” “Sexy Love,” and “Little Apple” couldn’t lift them out of decline.
Hwayoung and the Truths Exposed
In early 2017, Boram and Soyeon left Core Contents Media, and T-ara continued with four members. The bullying scandal seemed forgotten until Hwayoung and Hyoyoung revisited it on TvN’s “Talk Show Taxi.”
The Ryu sisters on TvN’s “Taxi.”
Hwayoung tearfully shared how her sister had supported her after her departure, claiming emotional trauma. After the broadcast, an anonymous former T-ara staff member shared a tell-all online, exposing both the Ryu sisters and T-ara’s innocence.
The post was widely shared on forums, revealing that while T-ara wasn’t entirely innocent, the Ryu sisters had serious issues. A screenshot allegedly showing Hyoyoung threatening Areum against revealing the truth was also posted. Areum hinted at its authenticity on Instagram.
Regarding the “injury” during the Japan performance, the ex-staff member said Hwayoung was uninjured but wanted to be carried and use crutches for media sympathy. During Japanese promotions, Hwayoung allegedly insisted on resting despite being fine, even visiting a nail salon. Former staff criticized Hwayoung’s diva-like behavior and her difficult attitude toward assistants. Even MBK’s president admitted regret over the scandal, stating that the Ryu sisters’ attitudes were the main issue.
The public began clearing T-ara’s name, realizing there was no evidence they bullied Hwayoung. Ultimately, T-ara’s name was cleared, though they couldn’t reach their former peak. The Ryu sisters were widely boycotted and nicknamed “snakes.”
The duo received backlash for event appearances, and Hwayoung’s roles in films were heavily affected, with some directors reducing or cutting her scenes entirely.
Certain Achievements as An Actress
Although the truth behind the bullying scandal was revealed, leading to Hwayoung being shunned by audiences, her career in the entertainment industry still boasts some notable milestones.
After leaving MBK in 2013, Hwayoung chose not to pursue music but instead ventured into acting, fulfilling her initial aspirations. She signed with Wellmade STAR M, which managed famous actors such as Lee Jong Suk, Ha Ji Won, and Oh Yeon Seo.
Hwayoung on the red carpet.
In January 2014, Hwayoung starred as the female lead in singer Zia’s music video for “Have You Ever Cried.” Shortly after, she debuted as an actress in the short drama Mother’s Choice, directed by Ji Geun II.
At the beginning of 2015, she returned to the small screen, taking on the lead role in Ok Family. This comedy film, about a family suspected of stealing artifacts from the Jeonju Museum, received moderate acclaim from critics.
Continuing her active career as an actress, Hwayoung took on the role of the “ex-girlfriend” of actor Byun Yo Han in Ex-Girlfriend Club. Her natural, fresh acting style and resemblance to actress Park Shin Hye led to many more film offers at the time.
In 2016, Hwayoung continued with a role in SBS’s Comeback Mister, acting alongside stars like Bi Rain, Lee Min Jung, and Honey Lee. She also appeared in a supporting role in JTBC’s Age of Youth.
2017 was perhaps the most successful year in her career, as she was trusted with her first lead role in Mad Dog on KBS. Here, Hwayoung played a former athlete working for a special investigation team. Her captivating, bold character attracted a large audience.
Also in 2017, before the truth about her past scandal with T-ara surfaced, Hwayoung appeared in several other shows, including Father is Strange and Traces of Hand.
Although the previous scandal brought her significant backlash from netizens, with calls to boycott her films, this did not entirely derail her career. Thanks to her success in Mad Dog, Hwayoung won the Best New Actress award at the 31st KBS Drama Awards.
In the fall of 2022, Hwayoung starred in her first major film role in Exist Within. The movie follows an ambitious writer living in the same building as a mysterious man.
Despite the controversies surrounding her, Hwayoung’s career has remained relatively unaffected. She has calmly ignored the criticism, continuing to pursue her artistic endeavors.
In the fiercely competitive film industry, combined with a tainted personal life, Hwayoung has faced many challenges in securing roles that would solidify her position in the entertainment world.
