

In 2012, T-ara experienced a dip in popularity as the group faced accusations of internal discord, resulting in Hwayoung's immediate departure with Areum following a year after. T-ara's late-2011 Korean release Black Eyes spawned three consecutive number ones: "Cry Cry", "We Were in Love" and " Lovey-Dovey". At the height of K-pop's popularity in Japan, T-ara signed onto management agency J-Rock for $4.7 million-reportedly the highest figure of any Korean girl group expanding into the territory at the time. They subsequently gained nationwide recognition after releasing "Roly-Poly" in 2011, which went on to become the Gaon chart's best-selling single of the year. Both their debut Japanese single and studio album reached number one on the Oricon weekly charts and were subsequently certified Gold. T-ara made their debut in July 2009 with the single "Lie" ( 거짓말), following line-up changes due to creative differences their debut studio album Absolute First Album was released in December 2009 to critical and commercial success, and spawned the hit singles " TTL (Time to Love)", " Bo Peep Bo Peep", and "You Drive Me Crazy". The group has achieved commercial success in several regions in Asia including South Korea and China, with their 2011 single " Roly-Poly" being one of the most downloaded domestic singles since 2010.

A broad array of visual concepts have earned the group a "chameleon-like" reputation. T-ara's career is marked by hook-heavy dance-pop music, a result of their close partnership with composer Shinsadong Tiger. T-ara ( / t i ˈ ɑː r ə/ Korean: 티아라) is a South Korean girl group formed by MBK Entertainment in 2009, consists of four members: Qri, Eunjung, Hyomin and Jiyeon.
