Kara got 860,000 won during 6 months?

3 members of Kara, SeungYeon, Nicole, JiYoung who announced that they may end their contract with DSP, has now been moved to a lawsuit.

According to the representative, the 3 members "did not get their fair pay" and filed a lawsuit.

Also it was revealed that "During January to June last year, the income from album sales were 410,000,000 won but the promotional fees were recorded as 390,000,000 won. The promotional costs were recordedly abnormally high.

They added "During Lupin promotions, DSP only paid 860,000 won to each Kara member (Equivalent to around $860 US) over 6 months. That's around 140,000 won per month, which is unfair.

"The payment was decided by DSP, without any negotiations with us. It is against the law" SeungYeon and others added

Short preview of KARA’s “Jet Coaster Love” released

KARA just returned to Korea on February 13^th, but not before leaving Japanese fans with a little treat. A news clip of the girls featured a short preview of their 3^rd Japanese single “Jet Coaster Love”. Moreover, “Jet Coaster Love” entered the Recochoku “Chaku Uta ®” ranking at #1 on February 11^th!

Check out the fifty-second teaser below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzE9E5jUy5M

Furthermore, a 2:34-long, fan-made compilation of the released ringtones has also been making its rounds around the internet:

Dream High features ‘offensive’ alcoholic shooters?

The fan favorite drama Dream High has been under the spotlight for the past few weeks for its star-studded cast list, but it looks like a few amused fans have noticed a few intriguing details completely unrelated to the storyline.

On the set of Samdong’s club scene in Episode 11, a list of ten shooters (alcoholic mixed drinks) is written on a large white board for 5000 won (~$4.44 USD). The list includes –excuse me for the language– “abortion,” “blowjob,” “brain hemorrhage,” “blue sky,” “Freddy Kruger,” “hard dick,” “quick fuck,” “rocket fuel,” “suicide” and “tequila slamma,” complete with the alcoholic recipes written on the side.

The fan favorite drama Dream High has been under the spotlight for the past few weeks for its star-studded cast list, but it looks like a few amused fans have noticed a few intriguing details completely unrelated to the storyline.

On the set of Samdong’s club scene in Episode 11, a list of ten shooters (alcoholic mixed drinks) is written on a large white board for 5000 won (~$4.44 USD). The list includes –excuse me for the language– “abortion,” “blowjob,” “brain hemorrhage,” “blue sky,” “Freddy Kruger,” “hard dick,” “quick fuck,” “rocket fuel,” “suicide” and “tequila slamma,” complete with the alcoholic recipes written on the side.

The hilarious part is that all of the shooters mentioned on the list are actual mixed drinks; as I’m sure our older readers know, it wouldn’t be difficult to find a bartender making these at bars, lounges or clubs in both the States and Asia. Furthermore, alcoholic drinks with offensive names are the norm, such as “pink pussy,” “slippery nipple,” and, my personal favorite, “sex on a beach.”

Although this only appears briefly and oblivious Korean viewers probably wouldn’t understand it anyway (after all, this detail was discovered by international fans — the screenshot was originally posted on Tumblr), it’s pretty surprising that something like this would be deliberately created for the set then put on broadcast. Yet despite its minuteness, I think it’s unnecessary to expose Koreanviewers to such profane English words when it could be easily avoided. Props for the accuracy, at least!

4minute & G.NA wish their fans a happy Valentine’s Day!

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, labelmates 4minute and G.NA gave their fans heartwarming videomessages through their official YouTube channels!

Like the Hallyu stars that they are, 4minute greeted their international fans in their respective languages, asking every fan to be their valentine. On an individual scale, leader Jihyun greeted fans through 4minute’s official fancafe, while maknae Sohyun reached out through her personal Twitter, completing the girls’ ’six language’ love confession.

The group concluded with, “We love you, we miss you all! Happy Valentine’s Day!”

Meanwhile, G.NA greeted her fans in fluent English and gave shoutouts to her international fanbase. Expressing her desire to hopefully meet them all soon, the idol wrapped up by cutely asking her fans if they would be her valentine.

KARA’s Nicole missing from ‘Heroes’ recording for the second time

Although KARA had returned to Korea yesterday, it’s being reported that member Nicole had missed yet another scheduled recording for SBS’s “Heroes“. This will mark her second consecutive absence from the show.

Because of the turmoil surrounding KARA’s disputes, Nicole had missed a scheduled recording for ‘Heroes’ on January 31st, fuelling speculations that she might be leaving the show for good.

That speculation was subsequently squashed by the PD of ‘Heroes’, who assured that Nicole would stay on with the show. Yet the suspicions of both fans and netizens edged back after the PD confirmed through a phone interview on the 14th that the KARA star was still absent.

The KARA girls had reunited recently to continue with the filming of ‘URAKARA‘ in Japan, and are now back in Korea.

Nichkhun, Sulli, Seulong, & others cast in SBS’s new sitcom, “Welcome to the Show”

Kim Jang Hoon, Kim Kwang Gyu, 2AM’s Seulong, 2PM’s Nichkhun, and f(x)’s Sulli have all been cast for an upcoming SBS sitcom called “Welcome to the Show“!

On February 14th, a representative of SBS’s variety team spoke through Star News and revealed,“The new cast had their first recording on the 13th at SBS’s ‘Inkigayo‘ studio. There will be a big idol cast with a ‘mellow line’ between them. Other older actors and singers will also be taking part.”

He continued, “Although the broadcast date hasn’t been finalized yet, we’re aiming for a March release.”

SBS began preparations for this project last year, and it’ll mark their first sitcom since 2007’s “Run Mackerel“. Although the sitcom is being prepared as a series, producers have revealed that they will observe viewer responses after the pilot airs before making any final decisions.

Stay tuned to allkpop for additional details!

KARA’s Nicole, Seungyeon, & Jiyoung formally file a lawsuit against DSP Media

The contract termination dispute between KARA’s Seungyeon, Nicole, and Jiyoung against DSP Media has escalated into a legal battle.

On February 14th, representatives of the three members filed a lawsuit against DSP Media, asking the Seoul Central District Court to confirm that their three exclusive contracts were invalid. They also claimed that their incomes were not distributed fairly.

Through their head representative, the three members of KARA stated, “Without prior compromise, the agency deducted promotional fees from our income without our consent, which is classified under embezzlement. From January through June of 2010, we brought in $410,000 USD in income, while thepromotional expenses amounted to $390,000 USD. The expenses are abnormally excessive.”

They continued, “Even when ‘Lupin‘ was at its highest point in popularity, DSP Media only paid $860 USD per member for a total of six months. The $140 USD that we were paid a month is unfair compared to the income that we brought in.”

Landmark previously sent notice to DSP Media regarding the termination of the three contracts on January 19th. Although the members resumed their scheduled activities, the two parties were not able to come to an agreement during their repeated attempts at reconciliation over the course of 25 days.

The dispute’s escalation into a legal battle has caught both fans and industry representatives off guard, and many are speculating about what this could mean for KARA as a unit of five.

A representative of DSP Media spoke through Sports Today and stated, “We’re shocked. We met several times, but it is true that the dispute went back to first base with each discussion. But because of their ‘URAKARA‘ filming in Japan, we agreed to speak with their parents upon their return. Now that we found out that they filed a lawsuit, we’re just shocked. First of all, we will be having a meeting within our company first before releasing further statements.”

The representative also told Star News, “Their head representative claimed that the girls only received $860 USD per member for six months of their ‘Lupin’ promotions, but that is truly ridiculous. We deducted six months worth of their entire promotional expenses from the profits made off of their album sales. Thus, we did not deduct anything from their promotions in other areas such as CFs. Unlike what the three are claiming, we paid them a larger sum, but they’re claiming as if we’ve embezzled.

Stay tuned to allkpop for further updates.

T-ara moved to tears by “Tears of Heaven”

The ladies of T-ara were revealed to have been moved to tears while watching the “Tears of Heaven” musical.

According to Seol Company, on February 14th, T-ara attended the productions held on the 12th and 13th in support of labelmate Davichi’s Lee Haeri’s debut as a musical actress.

The members commented, “More so than anywhere else, Haeri unni was as beautiful as ever and shined so bright. Not only unni, but Kim Junsu, Brad Little, and the ensemble actors were all so very amazing. The performances were great, and the production itself was so moving, the members all cried.”

They also met up with Brad Little and declared themselves fans by praising, “We’ve loved you ever since ‘Phantom of the Opera.‘ Your commanding stage presence and charisma has led us to all become fans.”

Hyomin added, “This is already my third time watching ‘Tears of Heaven.’ This is the first time I’ve ever watched one production so many times, but I fall deeper into its charms each time.”

KARA’s trio to hold a press conference this week

KARA’s Nicole, Seungyeon and Jiyoung filed a lawsuit against DSP Media earlier today, and it was revealed that they will be holding a press conference by February 15th at the earliest to state their stand.

A representative stated, “On the 15th or 16th, representatives of the three members will be holding a press conference and announce their positions in a more detailed fashion.”

The attendance of the three members has yet to be confirmed, as KARA is scheduled to leave for Japan on the 17th to continue their activities there.

Interestingly enough, industry representatives claim that during the time that they were in Korea, the three KARA members attended recording sessions for their new Japanese album with their other groupmates.

This attendance, however, was done under the agreement made with DSP Media on January 27th to fulfill all pre-scheduled activities prior to the dispute. This agreement also includes their Japanese activities, which explains why the group must return to Japan as complete unit in order to continue filming for their drama, ”URAKARA“.

Though KARA is scheduled to depart on the 17th, Jiyoung will be leaving a day earlier due to a personal schedule.

Stay tuned to allkpop for further updates.