T-ara (Korean: 티아라; Korean pronunciation: [tʰiara]) is a South Korean girl group formed by Core Contents Media in 2009. Before their debut, there was a high level of interest in the group as they were called "Super Rookies" and had been training for three years prior to debut.[1] Originally a five-member group, they released their first song "Good Person" for the soundtrack of the Korean drama Cinderella Man in April 2009. In June 2009 members Jiwon and Jiae left the group, delaying the group's debut. The next month, T-ara regrouped to become a six-member group with the addition of Boram, Qri, and Soyeon, and released their debut single "거짓말" ("Lies").[2] In July 2010, T-ara introduced a new member, Ryu Hwayoung, to become a seven-member group.[3] T-ara uses a rotating leader system, and has a different member of the group elected as leader each year, in order to give both the group and the individual members the opportunity to grow in a new direction.[4]
History
[edit] Pre-debut
The original five T-ara members were trained for three years, and released their first song "좋은 사람" (Good Person) for the Korean drama Cinderella Man soundtrack. In early 2009, Jiyeon was in a collaboration with SeeYa and Davichi for project single called "여성시대" (Women's Generation).[citation needed]
In June 2009, Core Contents Media announced that Jiae and Jiwon left due to differences in music style. Soyeon, Boram and Qri were added. Later, it was revealed that Soyeon was originally cast to be a part of Girls' Generation (SNSD), but six months prior to her debut Soyeon withdrew from the group due to personal circumstances. Her stint away from the music industry was relatively short as she quickly joined T-ara following open auditions to replace the departing members.[5] The group's agency released promotional pictures in July 2009 in accordance with the new members. Afterward, T-ara released their debut single "거짓말" (Lies).
[edit] Debut and Absolute First Album (2009)
T-ara made its debut on MBC's Radio Star talk show on July 29, 2009.[6] The music video was released that day. Their first performance was on Mnet's M! Countdown show, where they performed "Lies" and "Wanna Play?". Their debut was looked upon negatively by webpostings, where people stated that it was lipsynched and commented that it seemed like an elementary school performance.[7] The group announced afterward that future performances would be live.[8] A few members of T-ara (Eunjung, Soyeon, Hyomin and Jiyeon) were in a project group with Supernova, a six member male group for the digital single, TTL (Time to Love). The single TTL became the members first number 1 as it topped many of the online charts. On December 1, 2009, T-ara released their first full-length album, named Absolute First Album. The album had two lead singles, "Bo Peep Bo Peep" and "Like The First Time", both with music videos.
[edit] Breaking Heart and Temptastic (2010)
On January 1, 2010, T-ara's single "Bo Peep Bo Peep" won an award on the New Year's Day episode of Music Bank. Two days later, they won the Mutizen award on Inkigayo. The following week, T-ara won their second consecutive Music Bank and Mutizen awards. The following week, T-ara won their third consecutive mutizen award (Triple Crown).
Later in the month, Core Contents Media announced that Eunjung and Hyomin would take part, alongside label mates SeeYa and Davichi, in project group, 'Wonder Woman'. Consequently, the T-ara announced promotions for their follow up single, "Like The First Time" (Korean: "처음처럼"). Promotions ended quickly as member Soyeon was diagnosed with H1N1.[9]
In February, the group announce the release of a repackaged version of their debut album, entitled Breaking Heart. The music video for its lead single, "I Go Crazy Because of You" (Korean: "너 때문에 미쳐"), was released on February 24, 2010. The group performed with Mnet's M!Countdown. After promotions for "I Go Crazy Because of You", T-ara promoted the next single off the repackaged album titled "I'm Really Hurt" (Korean: "내가 너무 아파").
On November 23, 2010 T-ara released a music video for their song "Why Are You Being Like This" (Korean: "왜 이러니").[10] The group then began promotions with their new 7th member, Hwayoung, and a new leader, Boram. The mini-album's title track was titled "Yayaya". T-ara received two consecutive wins for "Why Are You Being Like This" and "Yayaya" on Mnet M! Countdown on December 9, 2010 and December 16, 2010 respectively.
[edit] Japanese debut, John Travolta Wannabe and Black Eyes (2011-Present)
In June 2011, it was announced that T-ara would be making a comeback with the title track "Roly Poly" on July 1, 2011.[11] It was also announced that the group would be advancing into the Japanese market with a showcase on July 5.[12] As of June 14, 2011, Core Contents Media has announced that Hyomin shall be taking over the leadership for this album and for their Japanese promotions.[13] They further explained saying, “In order to instill a sense of responsibility in each of the members, we have decided to change the leader for each new album release. We will be passing the leader role onto members who have not been leader yet. The reason Eunjung was leader during their debut was because she and Hyomin had trained the longest with T-ara, and we felt that she would be the best fit". They continued, “Likewise, Hyomin has been chosen for T-ara’s Japanese and ‘Roly-Poly’ promotions for the same reasons as Eunjung. We have made this decision after much discussions with both the members and our agency.”
T-ara's "Roly-Poly" music video and song was released on June 29 and reached #1 on Cyworld, GomTV, Bugs, Nate and Mnet real-time charts just after an hour.
On August 2011, T-ara released Roly-Poly in Copacabana. The song was named after "Copacabana" popularized in the 80's in Jongno disco clubs. The new version shows T-ara's new Eurodance moves and with the upgrade of the rhythm makes this version perfect for vacation summer songs.
T-ara will release their debut Japanese single, "Bo Peep Bo Peep", on September 28. The single will be coupled with "Love Me! I Go Crazy Because of You" for its release.[14]
T-ara will be releasing a repackaged EP titled "Black Eyes" in October. The album will contain a similar electronic sound to that of Absolute First Album and Breaking Heart. It will be released on 27 October.
[edit] Members
Member Birth name Birth Date Position Leader Notes
Boram
Jeon Bo Ram (전보람) March 22, 1986 Vocalist 2010–2011 Third generation artist. Previous leader.
Qri
Lee Ji Hyun (이지현) December 12, 1986 Vocalist -- Shares the same birthday with fellow member Eunjung.
Soyeon
Park In Jung (박인정) October 5, 1987 Main Vocalist -- Former SM Entertainment trainee.
Eunjung
Ham Eun Jung (함은정) December 12, 1988 Co Lead Vocalist, Main Rapper, Main Dancer 2009–2010 Originally trained in acting. Previous leader.
Hyomin
Park Sun Young (박선영) May 30, 1989 Leader, Co Lead Vocalist, Lead Rapper 2011 Previously an ulzzang, Former JYP trainee
Hwayoung
Ryu Hwa Young (류화영) April 22, 1993 Lead Rapper, Vocalist -- Joined in 2010. Her twin sister is Hyoyoung from Co-Ed School/5dolls.
Jiyeon
Park Ji Yeon (박지연) June 7, 1993 Vocalist, Main Dancer -- Originally trained to be a model and actress.
[edit] Former members
Member Birth name Position
Jiae
(2009) Lee Ji Ae (이지애) Leader, Lead Vocalist
Jiwon
(2009) Yang Ji Won (양지원) Vocalist
[edit] Discography
Main article: T-ara discography
[edit] Korean discography
Studio albums
2009: Absolute First Album
Repackaged albums
2010: Breaking Heart
Extended plays
2010: Temptastic
2011: John Travolta Wannabe
2011: Black Eyes
Digital singles
2009: Lies
2009: TTL (Time to Love)
2009: TTL Listen 2
2010: Why Are You Being Like This
2011: Roly-Poly in Copacabana
[edit] Japanese discography
Singles
2011: Bo Peep Bo Peep
[edit] Music Videos
Year Title Notes
2009 "Good Person" [1] Pre-debut
"Women Generation" [2] Collab. between Jiyeon, Seeya and Davichi
"Lies" (Original, Ballad ver., Summer ver.) From Absolute First Album
"Apple is A" [3]
"TTL (Time To Love)" [4] Collaboration with Supernova
"TTL Listen 2" [5] Collaboration with Supernova
"Rolling" [6] Jiyeon solo
"Wonder Woman" [7] Eunjung, Hyomin, Seeya and Davichi collab.
"Bo Peep Bo Peep" (19+, 15+) From Absolute First Album
"Like the First Time" [8]
2010 "I Go Crazy Because of You" (Original, Z9 ver.) From Breaking Heart
"I'm Really Hurt" (Part.1, Part.2, Part.3)
"Bubi Bubi" [9] Collaboration with Yoo Si Yoon
"We Are The One" [10] Song for 2010 FIFA World Cup
"What Should We Finish?" [11] Soyeon solo
"Little By Little" [12] Jiyeon solo
"Why Are You Being Like This?" [13] From Temptastic
"YaYaYa" [14]
2011 "Beautiful Girl" [15] Hyomin feat. Electroboyz
"Song For You" [16] Soyeon with Ahn Young Min
"Roly-Poly" (Ver. 1, Ver.2, Ver.3) From John Travolta Wannabe
"Roly-Poly In Copacabana" [17]
[edit] Other Activities
[edit] Reality Shows
Year Show
2010 T-ara World
2010 T-ara Dot Com
2010 T-ara's Hello Baby
2010 T-ara Dream Girls
Hyomin was part of the cast member of 'Invincible Youth', a popular KBS variety show which was running from October 2009 until the show ended its first season in December 2010.
Jiyeon was part of SBS's Good Sunday variety show 'Heroes' which aired from July 2010 until May 2011.
[edit] Awards
Year Awards
2009
38th Cyworld Digital Music Awards: Rookie of the Month (August) (Lies) [15]
39th Cyworld Digital Music Awards: Ting's Choice Artist award (TTL (Time to Love))
41st Cyworld Digital Music Awards: Ting's Choice Artist award (TTL Listen. 2)
24th Golden Disk Awards: Newcomer Award [16]
2010
19th Seoul Music Awards: Best New Artist Award [17]
Mnet 20's Choice Awards: Most Influential Artist [18]
2nd Melon Music Awards : Bonsang Award [19]
[edit] Music Bank
Year Date Song
2010 January 1 Bo Peep Bo Peep
January 8
[edit] Inkigayo
Year Date Song
2010 January 3 Bo Peep Bo Peep
January 10
January 17
March 21 I Go Crazy Because Of You
March 28
2011
July 24 Roly-Poly
[edit] M! Countdown
Year Date Song
2010 March 18 I Go Crazy Because Of You
December 9 Why Are You Being Like This
December 16 Yayaya
2011
July 14 Roly-Poly
July 21
[edit] External links
T-ara Official Korean Website
T-ara Official Japanese Website
Tiaradiadem - International fan forum for T-ara
SNSD-Girls' Generation Guild
A guild for all fans of SNSD whether they are old or new
