KARA will not be continuing activities, Gyuri to attend schedules as planned

After making it clear that the four members would not be searching for a compromise with DSP Media,Hong Myungho of Landmark revealed that they will also not be complying with any future activities scheduled by DSP Media.

In an interview with Star News on January 19th, Hong revealed, “Seungyeon, Nicole, Hara, andJiyoung will not be attending any new activities scheduled by DSP Media.”

He continued, “The reason they formally filed to terminate their contracts was to put an end to their pending schedules. Before we officially begin the steps for their lawsuit, we will find a way to reach an agreement on fulfilling activities scheduled prior to the announcement. There is absolutely no possibility for the girls to reach a compromise with DSP Media. Problems have been stacked for too long, and they are absolute with their positions.”

KARA’s Japanese drama, “URAKARA,” is expected to have the most impact with recent developments, as the future of the show will depend on the agreement reached by both parties.

Leader Gyuri, who is not a part of the lawsuit, will continue with her schedules as planned. She will be appearing on MBC’s “Shimshimtapa” with Super Junior’s Shindong tonight as scheduled.

DSP Media releases official statement, Goo Hara cancels contract termination

After the four members of KARA previously announced that they filed to terminate their contracts withDSP Media, representatives of the agency have finally released an official statement on January 19th.

It reads:

“DSP Media will be making an official statement regarding the contract terminations reported byJung Nicole, Han Seungyeon, Kang Jiyoung, and Goo Hara of KARA. We received a one-sided declaration from their lawyers, Landmark, on January 18th, but Goo Hara has decided not to join the others in terminating her contract.

According to their claims, the 10-month hospitalization of CEO Lee Hoyeon caused the management to become inefficient in planning and promoting the group’s activities, but that is not the truth, as the CEO’s wife ran administration in place of the CEO. KARA’s explosive popularity with the Hallyu wave in Japan testifies to these efforts, further proving that the management did not mishandle their activities.

CEO Lee Hoyeon was not able to run the company himself beginning March of 2010, and KARA’s Japanese achievements were made five months later in August. DSP Media has done all they can in supporting and preparing KARA’s Japanese advancement.

Regarding the income distribution claims made by Nicole’s mother and their lawyers, the information they revealed was distorted and is a complete misunderstanding. Income was distributed in a manner that was most profitable to the KARA members, and unlike what they claimed, every employee was paid at the same time the moment profits were received.

They also claimed that DSP used its stature to force unwanted schedules and activities, but this is also a baseless claim. This is a claim that only defames the company employees who have worked their hardest to raise KARA as one of Korea’s top groups and leaders of the Hallyu wave.

And regarding speculations from another report about a competing agency attempting to persuade their parents and lawyers to terminate the girls’ contract with DSP, we ask that they stop such actions immediately. Should such requests be made repeatedly, we will make sure that they are met with legal consequences.

As the company that has poured their sweat and effort into creating who KARA is today, we hope that such issues are no longer exaggerated. Should there be issues between both parties, adjustments and reconciliation should be the appropriate step in continuing to promote themselves as a representative girl group of Korea.”

Regarding news of Hara staying with DSP Media, representatives continued, “Hara has decided not to comply with the terminations.” The possibility of further changes in the remaining three contracts is now at center stage.

Goo Hara Vogue Girl Korea February Edition BTS video revealed!

Take a look at Goo Hara's BTS video for Vogue Girl here,KARA is currently facing a huge crisis,let's hope for the best,KARA = 5 forever!

4minute’s Jihyun reveals her beautiful bare face on “4minute’s Mr. Teacher”

4minute’s Nam Jihyun has been acknowledged as the idol with the prettiest bare face after making an appearance on the group’s variety show, E Channel’s “4minute’s Mr. Teacher,” with no makeup.

On the episode, the producers of the show make a surprise entrance into 4minute’s dorm and show them at their most vulnerable moment. Although the members seemed surprised at first, all five of them showed off their confidence in their no makeup faces. Leader Jihyun especially caught the attention of all for her clear skin and beauty.

Later on in the episode, maknae Sohyun shed some tears while receiving a foot massage from her Taiwanese instructor. Although he was just playing a joke, Sohyun’s tears immediately brought out an apology from him.

The reason behind Sohyun’s tears can be seen on the episode scheduled for broadcast on January 19th.

KARA’s Seungyeon, Nicole, Hara, & Jiyoung to split from DSP Media

Reports of KARA splitting from their agency, DSP Media Entertainment, has sent shockwaves throughout the music industry. The members of KARA, excluding leader Gyuri, reasoned that they had lost their confidence in their relationship with DSP Media Entertainment, and that it could never be regained again.

Landmark, KARA’s lawyers, reported on January 19th:

“Despite KARA receiving much love from their activities in both Korea and Japan, the members have experienced inexplicable pain that brought them to this decision. They’ve held it in for a long time, but in order to protect their rights and their future, the members have decided to part ways from their company.

KARA has tried their absolute best in compromising with their company prior to their decision, but their agency used their power in forcing the members to fulfill schedules that they did not want, and continuously added activities on top of a loaded schedule without prior consent or discussion. The psychological damages that the members were forced to endure cannot be explained in words, and their efforts have gone to waste. Their misery is severe, and they can no longer remain under such a company, which is why they decided to declare their withdrawal.

Trust is the most important aspect of a relationship between an agency and its artist, but the agency has been using KARA as a way to make money. A variety of issues that have not been stated are still present. The agency has decided the majority of the girls’ celebrity activities without any sort of discussion or meeting, and has rejected requests asking for explanations or for proper documents. Their relationship has been destroyed to the point that it could never be restored again.“

Representatives of DSP Media commented, “This is ridiculous, we are not sure what went wrong. We have yet to understand the situation. We’ll be releasing an official statement soon.”

However, because Park Gyuri is not joining the members’ lawsuit, it’s expected to have an impact on KARA’s future activities. KARA is currently filming for their Japanese drama, “URAKARA,” and has been juggling activities both in Korea and Japan. With the group being split into 4:1, many are expecting a variety of different issues to stem from this lawsuit.

Seungyeon and Hara avoiding the media at Incheon Airport this morning after returning from Thailand

[Update Below]

Leader Park Gyuri gave her thoughts on the situation here.

KARA’s Gyuri didn’t know about the contract terminations

After KARA’s Seungyeon, Nicole, Hara, and Jiyoung declared that they were filing a lawsuit to terminate their exclusive contracts with DSP Media, leader Gyuri revealed her thoughts on the situation through Star News.

On January 19th, she stated, “I heard only just now that my dongsaengs were terminating their contracts with our agency. I am not sure of the situation right now, I have to call the other members and our agency.”

She continued, “I saw the articles just now as well. I will find out. I’ve been alone since last night because my radio program ended late, but all I want to do is be with the KARA members right now. That is the proper path. I’ll be talking with them after I understand precisely what is going on.”

DSP Media files to trademark KARA’s name

With the industry still reeling from the news that KARA’s Seungyeon, Nicole, Hara, and Jiyoungwere filing to terminate their exclusive contracts with their agency, DSP Media, it was hit with yet another shocking piece of news. It was reported that DSP Media has applied for trademark rights over the ‘KARA’ name – many had already believed that the ‘KARA’ name was patented by this point, considering the strength of the group’s success.

According to information revealed by a patent browser on January 19th, DSP Media requested to trademark 85 different clauses regarding KARA on December 7th, 2010. Because it is still only an application, DSP Media does not have rights over the name yet, but should it become finalized, the members will need special permission from DSP in order to continue under the name of ‘KARA’.

Such recent developments have raised speculations over whether DSP Media predicted KARA’s move and attempted to take advantage of the situation by submitting the patent.

Trademark rights have always been a central issue whenever artists move onto different agencies, as the original agency is reluctant to allow those artists to promote under the same name once they leave.

The four girls were asked whether they would be open to compromising with DSP Media, in regards to their lawsuit against them. Hong Myungho of Trademark spoke through Star News and replied, “Before we reported the news to the public, we discussed with the parents of the four members and considered everyones’ opinions. Nobody has expressed a desire to continue moving forward with DSP Media. We will have to come to an agreement on various outstanding issues with DSP Media, in order to move on with the termination.”

When asked why Park Gyuri was excluded from their report, Hong replied, “We are working only for the four members, so we are not sure of Gyuri’s position. We’ve been in discussion with the members’ parents since two months ago. At the time, they attempted several times to reach a compromise with their agency, but because they could not reach one, they decided to terminate their contracts instead.”

TV Report uncovers details on the story behind KARA’s contracts

Further details regarding KARA’s decision to terminate their exclusive contracts with DSP Media have been revealed through TV Report, Park Gyuri’s mother, and representatives of DSP Media.

TV Report claimed that industry representatives were aware of the issues surrounding KARA and their agency since December 2010. Representatives of DSP Media and Park Gyuri allege that the reason for the four members’ terminations was “eventually because of money.”

According to another industry representative, KARA brought in a total of $18 million USD in income from their Japanese promotions, but as of December 2010, the group was only paid $3,000 USD per person.

The members were also only paid for album sales for August and September of 2010, excluding CF and event appearances. The girls are said to have been paid in a greater amount for their activities aside from album and digital sales, which are all going to be paid without problems. The reason the girls are paid less for their album sales is said to be because of specific clauses in DSP’s contract with their Japanese distribution company.

Income made from the girls’ Japanese albums are calculated three months after its initial release, and 85% of the profits go to the distribution company, leaving DSP with the remaining 15%. The representative mentioned that the numbers are similar for any Korean artist advancing into the Japanese market.

Especially with DSP Media’s CEO, Lee Hoyeon, currently hospitalized, all artists under the agency were ordered to be kept under tight control. Around this time, another entertainment agency approached KARA and offered them to join their agency. The agency went as far as to offer to pay the penalties the girls would have to deal with for breaching their contracts should they take the offer.

The representative was said to have met with one of the members’ mothers to present a contract with fairer terms and a promotion plan that would instantly earn KARA enough fame to rival that of SNSD’s popularity.

The representative first met with Gyuri’s mother, but discussions did not run smoothly. In an interview with TV Report, her mother stated, “I could not betray DSP, who worked their hardest in creating who KARA is now. I have no problems with the contracts, and I trust DSP.”

Representatives of DSP further added, “There were mothers that brought up problems, so we made sure to make all related documents as transparent as possible to them. We used accountants that they chose, but in the end, they could not trust even that.”

Another representative also revealed that DSP Media met with KARA’s mothers on January 18th and almost reached a compromise to reform the income distribution regarding their Japanese albums. The next day, KARA’s lawyers from Trademark announced their contract terminations.

Is there a possibility for them to reach a compromise? The industry is already speculating them to be the ’second TVXQ‘ due to the complex underlying issues.

“There are definitely various problems with both parties, but the ultimate issue is the competition in trying to scout KARA, and money. The reality of these disputes with TVXQ and KARA is quite disappointing,” said one representative.

DSP Media has reasoned that they have no option left but to take legal action, predicting yet another legal battle in the industry.

4 Kara's members suing their company for an unfair slave contract

Reports of KARA splitting from their agency, DSP Media Entertainment, has sent shockwaves throughout the music industry. The members of KARA, excluding leader Gyuri, reasoned that they had lost their confidence in their relationship with DSP Media Entertainment, and that it could never be regained again.

Landmark, KARA’s lawyers, reported on January 19th:

“Despite KARA receiving much love from their activities in both Korea and Japan, the members have experienced inexplicable pain that brought them to this decision. They’ve held it in for a long time, but in order to protect their rights and their future, the members have decided to part ways from their company.


KARA has tried their absolute best in compromising with their company prior to their decision, but their agency used their power in forcing the members to fulfill schedules that they did not want, and continuously added activities on top of a loaded schedule without prior consent or discussion. The psychological damages that the members were forced to endure cannot be explained in words, and their efforts have gone to waste. Their misery is severe, and they can no longer remain under such a company, which is why they decided to declare their withdrawal.

Trust is the most important aspect of a relationship between an agency and its artist, but the agency has been using KARA as a way to make money. A variety of issues that have not been stated are still present. The agency has decided the majority of the girls’ celebrity activities without any sort of discussion or meeting, and has rejected requests asking for explanations or for proper documents. Their relationship has been destroyed to the point that it could never be restored again.“

Representatives of DSP Media commented, “This is ridiculous, we are not sure what went wrong. We have yet to understand the situation. We’ll be releasing an official statement soon.”

Kara's Gyuri had no idea about the other members's contract terminations

On January 19th, Kara's leader Gyuri revealed her thoughts through StarNews about the other members, Kara Seungyeon, Nicole, Jiyoung and Hara, that declared to fill a lawsuit to terminate their contract with DSP media.

She said," I heard only just now that my dongsaengs were terminating with our agency.I am not so sure about this situation right now. I need to talk with the other members and our agency first."

She continued," I just read the news as well. I will figure it out. My radio program ended so late so i've been alone since last night. Now all that i want to do is together with the other KARA members. This is the proper path. i'll be talking with them after i understand what is really going on here."

DSP Media has applied for trademark rights of KARA's name

With the industry still trying to make sense of KARA’s Seungyeon, Nicole, Hara, and Jiyoung filing to terminate their exclusive contracts with their agency, DSP Media, it was hit with another astounding blow, as reporters revealed that DSP Media has applied for trademark rights over the ‘KARA’ name.

According to information revealed by a patent browser on January 19th, DSP Media requested to trademark 85 different clauses regarding KARA on December 7th, 2010. Because it is still only an application, DSP Media does not have rights over the name yet, but should it become finalized, the members will need special permission from DSP in order to continue under the name of ‘KARA’.

Such recent developments have raised speculations over whether DSP Media predicted KARA’s move and attempted to take advantage of the situation by submitting the patent.

Trademark rights have always been a central issue whenever artists move onto different agencies, as the original agency is reluctant to allow those artists to promote under the same name once they leave. A similar case lies with JYJ, as they were unable to continue under the name of ‘TVXQ‘, since the ‘TVXQ’ name belongs to SM Entertainment.

The four girls were asked whether they would be open to compromising with DSP Media, in regards to their lawsuit against them. Hong Myungho of Trademark spoke through Star News and replied, “Before we reported the news to the public, we discussed with the parents of the four members and considered everyones’ opinions. Nobody has expressed a desire to continue moving forward with DSP Media. We will have to come to an agreement on various outstanding issues with DSP Media, in order to move on with the termination.”

When asked why Park Gyuri was excluded from their report, Hong replied, “We are working only for the four members, so we are not sure of Gyuri’s position. We’ve been in discussion with the members’ parents since two months ago. At the time, they attempted several times to reach a compromise with their agency, but because they could not reach one, they decided to terminate their contracts instead.”

HyoMin and SeonHwa spotted at Incheon Airport

We have shared some photos T-ara HyoMin,Secret's SeonHwa as well as other stars in Pattaya for Lunar new year special show a few days ago.

It seems that the girls have arrived in Korea earlier today,SeonHwa was a bit shy when the reporters spotted them,take a look at the girls' airport fashion here,pretty stylish right??