T-ara
티아라
Gen 2 Group · Female Debuted 2009 Active
A girl group that debuted in 2009 under Core Contents Media. It gained popularity with catchy hooks and retro-concept songs, and has continued activities since returning as a four-member group in 2021.
Photo: EunYeon FC VietNam, CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Basic info
- Debut
- 2009-07 · Debut song 거짓말 (Lies)
- Debut agency
- Core Contents Media
- Years active
- 2009–
- Fandom
- Queen's퀸즈
- Meaning of the Name
- The name comes from 'tiara', the crown ornament, expressing their aim to become queens of the music scene.
- Meaning of the fandom name
- Carrying on the 'queen' meaning of the group name, fans are called Queen's.
- Generation
- 2nd Gen (2003–2011)
- Number of members
- 4 members· 4 former members
Group Story
First made their voices known through a drama OST in April 2009, and the lineup changed just before debut. On July 29 of that year, had their first stage not on a music show but on the variety show 'Radio Star'.
Teaming up with composer Shinsadong Tiger, they mainly sang dance-pop with catchy choruses. They changed concepts dramatically from song to song, from the 1980s disco of 'Roly-Poly' to the club music of 'Lovey-Dovey'.
In 2011, 'Roly-Poly' became the year's No. 1 song on the Gaon Chart, marking their peak. That same year they entered Japan, and they later performed actively in China as well.
After their agency contract ended in 2017 they took a break, then resumed activities as a four-member group with the single 'Re:T-ARA' in November 2021. In 2026 they held fan meetings in Chengdu and Shanghai, China.
Members
| Stage name | Real name | Birthday | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qri 큐리 | 이지현 | December 12, 1986 | Leader |
| Eunjung 은정 | 함은정 | December 12, 1988 | |
| Hyomin 효민 | 박선영 | May 30, 1989 | |
| Jiyeon 지연 | 박지연 | June 7, 1993 | Maknae |
| Boram 보람 Former members | 전보람 | March 22, 1986 | |
| Soyeon 소연 Former members | 박소연 | October 5, 1987 | |
| Hwayoung 화영 Former members | 류화영 | April 22, 1993 | |
| Areum 아름 Former members | 이아름 | 1994 |
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Signature songs
- 2009 Bo Peep Bo Peep YouTube Spotify
- 2010 너 때문에 미쳐 YouTube Spotify
- 2011 Roly-Poly YouTube Spotify
- 2011 Cry Cry YouTube Spotify
- 2012 Lovey-Dovey YouTube Spotify
Links go to each service's search results. Lyrics are not included for copyright reasons.
Key releases
- 2009.11 Absolute First Album1st studio album
First studio album, featuring 'Bo Peep Bo Peep' - 2011.06 John Travolta WannabeMini album
Title track 'Roly-Poly' - 2011.11 Black EyesMini album
Title track 'Cry Cry' - 2012.01 Funky TownRepackage
Title track 'Lovey-Dovey' - 2012.06 Jewelry Box1st Japanese studio album
- 2017.06 What's My Name?Mini album
First release as a four-member group - 2021.11 Re:T-ARASingle
Double title tracks 'ALL KILL' and 'TIKI TAKA'
Major awards
- Rookie award at the 2009 Golden Disc Awards
Key records and stories
- In 2011, 'Roly-Poly' stayed near the top of the digital charts for a long time and became hugely popular.
- Their Japanese debut single is known to have topped the Oricon chart.
- In 2021, resumed Korean activities for the first time in four years with the single 'Re:T-ARA'.
- Their debut stage was not on a music show but on the talk show 'Radio Star'.
- 'Roly-Poly' was the best-selling song of 2011 on the Gaon Chart.
- The official fan club 'QUEEN'S' held its founding ceremony in July 2012, three years after debut.
- The 'Cry Cry' music video drew attention for being made as a long, story-driven drama.