Following Goo Hara, who previously canceled her contract termination, it seems that the possibility of Han Seungyeon reversing her decision is high.
A representative of DSP Media spoke with TV Report on January 20th and stated, “There’s a possibility of one of the three members that filed for contract terminations returning, so we are trying not to let go of the hope. Yesterday, we were planning to meet with another member right after Goo Hara to discuss with, but we weren’t able to reach contact so we couldn’t. Fortunately, we will be meeting again, and that member is Han Seungyeon.”
He continued, “Yesterday, Goo Hara and Han Seungyeon did not even know that they even filed for contract terminations and were extremely shocked with the news. The members may have discussed the issue for a while, but we don’t think they knew that it would be turned into a legal matter so quickly.”
Via TV Report via Nate
The father of KARA’s Han Seungyeon revealed that he didn’t want his daughter’s group to disband through an interview on January 20th.
Reporters of TV Report visited his home in order to hear his side of the story, and although he refused the interview at first, he later agreed and stated, “First of all, although I knew that talks regarding their contracts were going on, I did not think that the issue would escalate to this level. Seungyeon has told me from time to time that she was tired, but I didn’t think much of it.”
He continued, “I received a phone call from Seungyeon on the 19th and all she did was cry. I think it was because things weren’t developing the way she had thought at first, and now that the issue is out of her hands, she was afraid to find a way to overcome it.”
When asked what he thought the members’ biggest problems were with DSP Media, he responded, “There’s a lot, but I think the main is that there’s no order. As much as KARA is being acknowledged for their efforts, the support isn’t following through.”
He further explained that the company would spontaneously schedule a B-level activity, and give up an A-level activity in order to fulfill their appearance on the B-level activity.
He also stated that the lawsuit is not because of ‘money problems’ or the rumors regarding a new agency offering them better contracts. Han explained, “I don’t want to discuss monetary issues right now, as it isn’t even the proper time for that. If DSP is unjust, I’d rather they just end their contract as opposed to move to another agency. It’s something that cannot happen.”
Han expressed his concerns for Kamilias, KARA’s fanbase, by stating, “How can a singer exist without fans? What’s most disappointing is that the members think importantly of their fans, but they’re receiving criticisms saying that they’ve lost their loyalty. I am unsure as to how to clarify that.”
He continued, “I once told Seungyeon to give up the chaotic entertainment industry and to just go back to studying. Whatever path is right, and whatever decision is the best, I just hope that the issue is resolved with wisdom.”
When asked what he thought the ‘right path’ was, he answered, “Doesn’t everyone know what the right path is? It’s for all five members to remain together. A lot of people compare the case to TVXQ, but KARA is still a beginner. Whether they stay together or leave, I don’t think it’s right to promote as separate groups. Whatever the case, I believe that they should remain together.”
Han concluded, “I think the priority right now is to figure out what exactly is the problem, and whether it’s something that can be fixed. I need to meet with the other parents to hear what they think. No matter what someone does, bringing something to a successful conclusion is a must, and as a parent, that is what’s most disappointing.”
Via TV Report
KARA’s Nicole, Seungyeon, & Jiyoung’s parents reveal their meeting
The parents of KARA’s Nicole, Seungyeon, and Jiyoung are currently preparing to release statements on the hardships their daughters were forced to endure, as well as details regarding the alleged irrational income distribution by DSP Media.
The parents met in an emergency meeting on the afternoon of January 19th and revealed that representatives of DSP were trying to meet with each of the members in hopes for reconciliation. Unfortunately, the parents revealed that it would be impossible for them to cancel their decision to terminate their contracts.
In an interview with Newsen, they claimed, “Right until the girls declared that they would be parting ways with the company, they continuously asked for clear and transparent income balances, as well as communication, but DSP refused the requests. Why else do you think they would leave the company that raised them into who they are?”
The parents claimed that they requested for documents regarding the income the girls brought in in Japan, but the company delayed the sharing of such information with excuses such as, “There’s nothing balanced yet” and “Please wait until the appropriate time.“ When an opportunity for communication was finally opened, the company brought out balance documents that were difficult to understand, deepending the distrust between the two parties.
One member’s parents exclaimed, “Is such a contract that only gives $3,000 per person for dancing the ‘butt dance’ in Japan fair?“ They also revealed that the girls were put in saunas to sleep because of their busy drama filmings.
Another continued, “KARA released ‘Jumping‘ late last year, but there were barely any schedules for their Korean fans, and DSP Japan were busy working the girls to film ‘URAKARA‘ for their own profits. There were a lot of unexplainable circumstances, such as the girls being put to sleep in a sauna one night.”
All three parents exclaimed, “The company is prospering with the income that is being made, while the kids are getting bloody noses from fatigue. This reality cannot continue.”
Regarding members Park Gyuri and Goo Hara, who both are not taking part in the lawsuit, the parents revealed that Gyuri’s parents were “walking a different path from the other girls since three months ago,” as Gyuri’s parents failed to show up at a parental meeting held last November.
Asked about the rumors of another entertainment agency offering the girls better contracts, they revealed, “We can’t say anything, as the parents don’t discuss such internal things. What we’re sure is that the three members will not be able to repair their relationship with DSP.”
Via Newsen via Nate
KARA’s composer refuses to work with KARA “if it’s not with all five”
The producer behind KARA’s representative tracks (“Pretty Girl,” “Honey,” “Mister,” and “Lupin“) has expressed his opinion on the contract termination lawsuit filed by three members of the girl group.
On January 19th, composer Han Jae Ho wrote through his Twitter:
“It’s been a tiring day. Last year, it was so fun and joyous being able to watch them go up step-by-step; each day was so full of energy. This year, we’re off to a rocky start. Just like how something good happens after something bad, something bad must happen after something good.
For me, I don’t believe the issue to be as severe as reports are making it out to be. I believe that KARA will not be disbanding under any reason, and it’s so apparent that those five kids want to stick together. Why must such reports be made?
Just a day ago, the members of KARA were working hard and having fun – they were all doing fine. The ‘mass comm’ likes picking fights… Vigorous articles are flooding it now.
I believe that KARA isn’t KARA without five members. If it’s not with all five, I refuse to work with anything regarding KARA.
I hope that today ends as a bad dream for something bigger and better, and I hope that we can dream of rising up once more, just like yesterday.”
Via news.nate.com
DSP Media addresses KARA fans in its 2nd official statement
On January 20th, DSP Media released a second statement, but instead of providing yet another round of clarifications, the statement was a mere request for patience from fans.
The document reads:
“Hello, this is DSP Media.We believe that there must be a lot of people currently feeling confused over the reports being made by the media regarding the termination of KARA’s exclusive contracts.
First of all, we would like to deeply apologize for creating such confusion and concerns.
About five years have passed since KARA first began promoting themselves and met with their fanclub, Kamilia. We will be working our hardest in order to make sure that the absolute support and love that Kamilias share with KARA, through all the joys and hardships, do not go waste.
We request that you extend your love and support once more to the five members of KARA, who are undergoing more difficulties through this ordeal than anyone else.
Thank you.”
Via KARA’s Official Website
A representative revealed on January 20th:
“When groups go through such a controversy, it’s only to be expected that they fight amongst themselves. With KARA, there’s nothing like that. Although there was a strange current surrounding the group since last year, there hasn’t been any discord between the members.”
Their characters and personalities are all so different, and there was a member who didn’t have a close relationship with the rest, but they overcame all of that with extreme trust through years of working together. They’ve built up a strong sense of co-dependence on one another by working in Japan, which further strengthened their friendships.
Each of the five members have different thoughts, but they’ve never fought or argued because of them. The five did not talk about unnecessary things in the presence of others, as they respect and are considerate of each other.”
Another representative of DSP Media also added, “Because of the differences in opinions, there most likely was something they were all uncomfortable with, but there definitely isn’t any discord. When they were working, they came together stronger than anyone else.”
Via newsen.com
KARA Nicole’s mom tweets her stand on the agency issues
Seungyeon, Nicole, and Jiyoung’s lawyers, Landmark, reported on January 19th that DSP Media will no longer be managing the three girls, and thus suspended their KARA schedules.
KARA will not be making an appearance at the “Seoul Music Awards“, scheduled for January 20th. Leader Gyuri will also be temporarily halting her appearances on her radio program with Super Junior’s Shindong.
Representatives of DSP Media stated,”Gyuri was put in a state of shock after receiving notice of the contract terminations, and expressed that she could not take part in the live recording for her radio show on the morning of the 20th.”
Their Japanese drama, “URAKARA,” will continue to be aired as scheduled. Representatives of Nihon TV spoke with Star News on the 20th and stated, “We are planning to air the episodes of ‘URAKARA’ according to schedule. Rumors of KARA’s disbandment are worrying their Japanese fans. Because their drama completed all the necessary filming, it will air without any problems.”
Via news.nate.com
Below is the second statement released by Landmark;
The loss of faith in our company is what hurts us the most!
The members of KARA and DSP Media began to lose trust in one another ever since the change in DSP’s top management which occurred in March 2010. This is due to the fact that the members of the new management, who lacked professional knowledge, failed to provide proper management for KARA. The current executive director of DSP Media is the wife of Mr. Lee Ho Yeon, the ex-director who is currently ill. She has never worked in the entertainment management industry before; and so far, she has only been concerned about DSP’s profits and the health of DSP. She failed to build a trusting relationship with the members of KARA as she disregarded situations and the growth potential of the members.
The contract turned into a registration form!
The members of KARA signed the contract for their work in Japan under the knowledge that it was a simple registration form. The members and the parents were told that the contract, which was in Japanese, was a form for simply registering as a music artist in Japan. This made them sign the contract without knowing that they were signing a contract, and when they asked for a copy of the contract after the fact, a DSP employee declined their request as the contract was not to be released outside of the company.
The company had no rights to make deals in Japan!
The executive director of DSP Japan, the company in charge of KARA’s work in Japan, is the same person as the original DSP executive director (wife of Lee Ho Yeon). The company removed part of the earnings as a share of DSP Japan, and then paid the members with a percentage of the remaining portion. This means that the same manager, who owns both companies, cut KARA’s share of the earnings through a transaction out of formality, which resulted in KARA getting taxed twice by the company. According to their contract with DSP, KARA members had their rights violated by this action.
Karaya is owned by the executive director and his family!
Karaya is an online clothing store for which three members of KARA (Gyuri, Hara and Jiyoung) work as models. It is owned by the current executive director of DSP Media, and other managerial positions are held by the director’s family members, which clearly shows that this is another scheme to profit from the KARA members. Karaya also made the members wear clothing with the inappropriate line “BEST FUCKIN FIVE” on it then posted the photos on its website, which not only disregarded the reputation of the members, especially Jiyoung who is a minor, but also resulted in heavy complaints from KARA’s fans. This action was a clear display of how DSP disregards the reputation or profit of the artists and is only concerned about the profits of itself.
Via media.daum.net
