T-ara

T-ara (Korean: 티아라; Korean pronunciation: [tʰiara]) is a South Korean girl group formed by Mnet 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 Cinderella Man OST in April 2009. In June 2009 members Jiwon and Jiae left the group, ruining the original plans for debut. The next month, T-ara regrouped to become a 6 member group and released their debut single "Geojitmal" (Korean: "거짓말" lit. "Lies").^[2]

History

Pre-debut

The original five T-ara members were trained for three years, and released their first song "A Good Person" for the Korean drama Cinderella Man soundtrack. In early 2009, Jiyeon was in a collaboration with SeeYa and Davichi for a song called "Women's Generation", which topped charts.^{[citation needed]}

In June 2009, Core Contents Media announced that Ji-ae and Ji-won left due to differences in music style. Boram, Soyeon, and Qri were added. The group's agency began to release promotional pictures in July 2009 in accordance with the new members. Afterward, T-ara released their debut single "Geojitmal" (Korean: "거짓말" lit. "Lie").

2009: Debut

T-ara made its debut on MBC's Radio Star talk show on July 28, 2009.^[3] The music video was released that day. Their first performance was on Mnet's M! Countdown show, where they performed "Geojitmal" and "Wanna Play". Their debut was looked upon negatively by netizens, who noted that it was lipsynched and commented that it seemed like an elementary school performance.^[4] The group announced afterward that future performances would be live.^[5] A few members of T-ara (Eunjung, Soyeon, Hyomin and Park Ji-Yeon) were in a project group with Supernova, a six member male group for the digital single, TTL (Time to Love). On December 1, 2009, T-ara released their first full-length album, named Absolute First Album. This album had two singles, "Cheoeum Cheoreom" and "Bo Peep Bo Peep", both with music videos.,,

2010: Gaining popularity with their album

On January 1, 2010, T-ara won their first ever award on the New Year's Day episode of Music Bank for their hit song "Bo Peep Bo Peep". Two days later, they won the Mutizen award on Inkigayo. T-ara also performed at a traditional New Year's festival version of the song. The following week, T-ara won their second consecutive Music Bank and Mutizen awards. The next week, T-Ara won their third consecutive mutizen award, thus winning the triple crown. Later in the month, Core Contents Media announced that Eunjung and Hyomin would take part, alongside label mates, in project group, 'Women's Generation'. Consequently, the group announced promotions for their follow up single, "Cheoeum Cheoreom" (Korean: "처음처럼" lit. "Like the First Time").

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, "Neo Ttaemune Michyeo" (Korean: "너 때문에 미쳐" lit. "Crazy Because of You"), was released in February 24, 2010. The group commenced comeback performances with Mnet's M!Countdown.

Members

Current

Eunjung

Birth name: Ham Eun-jung (함은정)
Date of birth: (1988-12-12) December 12, 1988 (age 35)
Position: Leader, Lead Vocalist, Main Rapper
- Appeared in SG Wannabe's "Gashiri" music video.
- Appeared in F.T. Island's "Love Sick", "Thunder", and "Only One Person" music videos.
- Starring in 2009 movie Death Bell
- Featured in TVXQ drama series "Dating on Earth".
- Participated in the project group T-ara & Supernova for the song TTL (Time to Love)
- Participated in "Wonder Woman" single with Seeya and Davichi.
- Starring in 2010 drama SBS Coffee house.
- Starring in 2010 movie "White"
- Participated in Davichi's latest song's Music Video, "Time, Please Stop".

Hyomin

Birth name: Park Sun-young (박선영)
Date of birth: (1989-05-30) May 30, 1989 (age 35)
Position: Vocalist, Rapper
- An Internet Ulzzang (Best Face)
- Appeared in F.T. Island's "Heaven" music video.
- Appeared in SG Wannabe's "Amazing Breakup" music video along with fellow ex-member Jiwon
- Participated in the project group T-ara & Supernova for the song TTL (Time to Love)
- Participated in "Wonder Woman" single with Seeya and Davichi.
- One of the regular casts in KBS "Invincible Youth" (2009/2010)
- Was one of the main in T-Ara's Bubi Bubi CF Mini-Drama
- Will star in an upcoming mini-series, yet to be revealed

Jiyeon

Birth name: Park Ji-yeon (박지연)
Date of birth: (1993-06-07) June 7, 1993 (age 31)
Position: Vocalist
- Appeared in SG Wannabe's "My love Crybaby" & "Saranghae" music video.
- Appeared in a drama called Hello! Miss in 2007
- Participated in Wonder generation (SeeYa , Davachi)
- Participated in the project group T-ara & Supernova for the song TTL (Time to Love)
- Starred in 2009 drama Soul (Hon).
- Starred in 2010 drama God of Study (Master of Study).
- Starred in 2010 movie Death Bell 2.

Soyeon

Birth name: Park In-jung (박인정)
Date of birth: (1987-10-05) October 5, 1987 (age 36)
Position: Main Vocalist
- Won Gold in 2005 CMB ChinChin Music Festival competition.
- Former SM Entertainment trainee.
- Original Leader of Girls' Generation, but left before debut due to personal reasons
- Participated in the project group T-ara & Supernova for the song TTL (Time to Love)
- Starred in KBS Invincible Baseball (2009)
- Appeared in 2010 drama Giant.

Boram

Birth Name: Jeon Bo-ram (전보람)
Date of birth: (1986-03-22) March 22, 1986 (age 38)
Position: Vocalist
- Released solo EP in 2008 titled From Memory.
- Released Digital single in 2008 titled Lucifer Project Vol 1. 愛- 오늘인가요
- Appeared in Kebee's "Feeling You" music video.
- Appeared in 2009 drama Soul.
- Appeared in T-ara & Supernova's TTL (Time to Love) music video
- Appeared in Tik Tok music drama with 2PM and Yoon Eun Hye

Qri

Birth name: Lee Ji Hyun (이 지 현})
Date of birth: (1986-12-12) December 12, 1986 (age 37)
Position: Vocalist
- Appeared in 2009 drama Queen Seon Duk.
- Appeared solo on the cover of Ceci Magazine in October 2009.
- Modeled for a number of companies before debut.
- Appeared in T-ara & Supernova's TTL (Time to Love) music video
- Starred in 2010 movie Death Bell 2.
- Appeared in 2010 drama Giant.

Former

Ji-ae

Birth name: Lee Ji-ae (이지애)
Date of birth: (1987-08-06) August 6, 1987 (age 37)
Position: Former Leader, Main Vocalist

Jiwon

Birth name: Yang Jiwon (양지원)
Date of birth: (1988-04-05) April 5, 1988 (age 36)
Position: Former Vocalist

Discography

Studio albums

Absolute First Album (2009)
Breaking Heart (2010)

Promotional singles

"Geojitmal" (2009)
"TTL (Time to Love)" (2009)
"TTL Listen 2" (2009)
"Bo Peep Bo Peep" (2009)
"Cheoeum Cheoreom" (2009)
"Neo Ttaemune Michyeo" (2010)

Awards

2009

38th Cyworld Digital Music Awards: Rookie of the Month (August) ("Lies") ^[6]
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 (Time to Love) Listen. 2")
24th Golden Disk Awards: Newcomer Award shared with another girl group, 4minute^[7]

2010

19th Seoul Music Awards : Best New Artist Award ^[8]

References

^ Template:Ko icon 티아라 인기가요 여신 매력 발산 ‘슈퍼신인 위력 대단’ (T-ara Radiates Goddess Charm, "Strong Force from Super Rookies"). Joins.com//Newsen. August 2, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
^ Template:Ko icon 전영록 딸 전보람, 티아라 새 멤버 합류! ‘가수 3대 집안’ (T-ara gers new members) Newsen. June 3, 2009.
^ Template:Ko icon Jo, Hyeon-wu. ‘라디오스타’로 데뷔한 티아라, 소녀시대와 원더걸스 격파할 수 있을까 (T-ara Makes Debut on Radio Star, Can Compete with Girls' Generation and Wonder Girls). Kukinews. July 30, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
^ Template:Ko icon '립싱크야? 더빙이야?' 티아라 데뷔무대 '혹평' (Is it Lipsynched? Is it Dubbing?" T-ara's Debut Receives "Harsh Criticism"). Segye. July 31, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
^ Template:Ko icon Lee, Jae-hwan. 티아라 “더이상 립싱크는 없다” 뮤뱅부터 라이브 무대 (T-ara: "No More Lipsynching"; Live from Music Bank Onwards). Joins.com/Newsen. August 1, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
^ Template:Ko icon 싸이BGM - Boys & Girls love Music. 싸이BGM - Boys & Girls love Music. August, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
^ Template:Ko icon 2008 골든디스크 홈페이지에 오신것을 환영합니다. Golden Disk Award Site. December 10, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
^ Template:Ko icon [포토엔]유이 탁재훈 ‘제19회 하이원 서울가요대상 더블MC 맡았어요’ - JOINS | 아시아 첫 인터넷 신문. Joins. February 4, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2010.

External links

[1] Template:Ko icon 티아라 인기가요 여신 매력 발산 ‘슈퍼신인 위력 대단’ (T-ara Radiates Goddess Charm, "Strong Force from Super Rookies"). Joins.com//Newsen. August 2, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.

[2] Template:Ko icon 전영록 딸 전보람, 티아라 새 멤버 합류! ‘가수 3대 집안’ (T-ara gers new members) Newsen. June 3, 2009.

[3] Template:Ko icon Jo, Hyeon-wu. ‘라디오스타’로 데뷔한 티아라, 소녀시대와 원더걸스 격파할 수 있을까 (T-ara Makes Debut on Radio Star, Can Compete with Girls' Generation and Wonder Girls). Kukinews. July 30, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.

[4] Template:Ko icon '립싱크야? 더빙이야?' 티아라 데뷔무대 '혹평' (Is it Lipsynched? Is it Dubbing?" T-ara's Debut Receives "Harsh Criticism"). Segye. July 31, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.

[5] Template:Ko icon Lee, Jae-hwan. 티아라 “더이상 립싱크는 없다” 뮤뱅부터 라이브 무대 (T-ara: "No More Lipsynching"; Live from Music Bank Onwards). Joins.com/Newsen. August 1, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.

[6] Template:Ko icon 싸이BGM - Boys & Girls love Music. 싸이BGM - Boys & Girls love Music. August, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2010.

[7] Template:Ko icon 2008 골든디스크 홈페이지에 오신것을 환영합니다. Golden Disk Award Site. December 10, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2010.

[8] Template:Ko icon [포토엔]유이 탁재훈 ‘제19회 하이원 서울가요대상 더블MC 맡았어요’ - JOINS | 아시아 첫 인터넷 신문. Joins. February 4, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2010.

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