T-ara

Left to Right: Boram, Qri, So Yeon, Hyo Min, Ji Yeon, Eun Jung (2009)

T-ara (티아라/ Tiara/ T-Ara) is a Korean pop girl group formed by Core Contents Media.

Members

• Eun Jung (Leader, Main Vocals, Rapper)
• So Yeon (Lead Vocals)
• Hyo Min (Main Vocals, Rapper)
• Ji Yeon (Sub Vocals)
• Qri (Sub Vocals)
• Boram (Sub Vocals)

Former Members

• Ji Ae (Leader, Lead Vocals)
• Ji Won (Sub Vocals)

Information

Left to Right: Ji Won, Ji Ae, Ji Yeon, Hyo Min, Eun Jung (Original T-ara)

Debut

T-ara was previously a 5 member group that trained for 3 years with the Core Contents Media label. Before their debut, T-ara gained recognition by Ji Yeon. Ji Yeon collaborated with SeeYa and Davichi on a digital single titled Women's Generation/ Forever Love which was included in the drama Cinderella Man's soundtrack. Her involvement sparked a great interest in the public, which led to her name becoming one of the top searched phrases in South Korea. Previously, Core Contents Media finally unveiled T-ara by releasing 19 pictures of it's member's on April 26, 2009. T-ara released the MV for their digital single Good Person Ver. 1 on April 28, 2009, which was also included on the "Cinderella Man" soundtrack. Ji Yeon continued to promote "Women's Generation/ Forever Love " with SeeYa and Davichi. Promotions for the digital single premiered on "Music Core" on May 8, 2009. Subsequent MV's were shot for the double a-side, and the digital single was successful among the public. Ji Yeon's popularity soared. She was chosen to model for the "Sonata Compilation Album", and debuted as an actress on the "MBC" drama series Soul.

Ji Won & Ji Ae Withdraw

T-ara was together for a short time period when Ji Won and Ji Ae decided to leave the group. Sighting "...differences in style" as the reason for their withdrawal, Core Contents Media quickly announced Boram will replace one of the members and debut as a singer with T-ara. T-ara's member replacements ranked #1 on news searches. Amidst the shocking news, Ji Won made a confession on her Cyworld about her decision to leave T-ara. Ji Won stated "My bravest choice was the right one." She went on to further say "This is life. There are too many differences. So it was very brave! Good job! My choice will be good. I'm truly thankful that you let go of this hatred and understand what it's like," she wrote.

Netizens were still questioning why Ji Won and Ji Ae left. On June 3rd, representatives from "Core Contents Media" had stated that, "T-ara's image is a friendly type of concept. However, the two members did not feel that they fit in it nor that it would appeal to fans any longer." The representatives added that "In order to complete the concept once again, we will add two new members that will fit in a better way. 2-3 weeks ago it was already mentioned. However, we cannot do anything about it even if we're against it as it was both members' personal decisions." Furthermore, they stated that "Ji Won and Ji Ae will remain members of the agency. However, in terms of future plans for both artist we do not know yet if there are any."

T-ara promoting Lie (2009)

Re-Debut

Core Contents Media confirmed T-ara became a 6 member group on June 23, 2009. They also revealed that on July 7th, the new T-ara would be unveiled; including the 2 unannounced members. Core Contents Media released profile photo's of the 6 T-ara members on July 3rd. The profile images of T-ara wearing blonde curly wigs displayed "pureness, femininity, and beauty". On the 6th, a 2nd set of photo's were released of T-ara, projecting an innocent and pure image. T-ara earned the nickname "Beauty Group" from Netizens, and the photo's of T-ara excited music fans.

On July 7th, T-ara's sexy and mature concept was revealed. A 2nd batch of photo's was revealed but it was received negatively; Netizen's called T-ara "ugly", however T-ara became in demand. Various endorsement deals were offered to the group but T-ara's management turned the deals down, focusing on their debut.

Lie was digitally released on July 27, 2009. T-ara debuted on a variety show called "Radio Star" on July 28, 2009. The MV for "Lie Part. 1" was revealed on the show. Their debut performance was on July 30, 2009 at "M! Countdown" where they performed "Wanna Play?" and "Lie". Ji Yeon, Hyo Min, Eun Jung, and So Yeon collabarated with Supernova members Geonll, Gwang Su and Ji Hyuk for a digital single titled TTL (Time To Love). The digital single was released on September 14th, and they promoted the song throughout September. Due to it's popularity, a remix version titled TTL Listen.2 was released on October 9. All members from both groups participated in the promotion.

Absolute First Album

T-ara was chosen to endorse "Nonghyup Apples". They released "Apple Song", the track for the Nonghyup Apple CF, and filmed an MV for the song. In November, Core Contents Media announced T-ara would release a mini album in early December. However, the mini album was cancelled and instead T-ara will be releasing their first full length album on December 4, 2009. Two MV teasers will be released on the 27th in Korea, and whichever song is recieved well the most will be the lead single for T-ara's debut album titled Absolute First Album.

Discography

Album

• [2009.12.04] Absolute First Album

Digital Single

• [2009.07.27] Lie

Collaboration / Other

• [2009.04.29] Women's Generation/ Forever Love (SeeYa & Davichi & T-ara)
• [2009.04.30] Cinderella Man OST (#3 Good Person Ver. 1)
• [2009.09.15] TTL (Time To Love) (Supernova & T-ara)
• [2009.10.09] TTL Listen.2 (Supernova & T-ara)

Awards

• [2009.10.01] Cyworld Digital Music Awards - Rookie of the Month of September (Lie)
• [2009.11.01] Cyworld Digital Music Awards - Song of the Month of October (TTL (Time To Love))
• [2009.12.10] 24th Golden Disk Awads - Yepp newcomer award (T-ara)

External Links

• Official Fan Cafe
• Diadem5 (International Forum)