DSP Media denies reports regarding Gu Hara's contract expiration

KARA's Gu Hara [DSP Media]

KARA member Gu Hara's agency DSP Media has denied that her contract with the firm has expired, downplaying reports that she was to become a free agent. DSP Media announced in a press release on Wednesday that Gu's contract with their agency has not expired and that the group's contract with Universal Music Japan will end in August of this year. "We are currently in discussions with Universal Music Japan for an extension of the group's contract, which they signed in August 2010, since it will come to an end in August 2012," an official was quoted as saying.The statement also explained that the girls are still under the management of DSP Media for another two years. Earlier in the day, several media outlets reported that Gu was the only member of KARA who did not extend her contract with DSP, which meant that she would be a free agent this August. Gu is a member of her also highly popular female K-pop group which debuted in 2007 and is considered one of the most successful Korean girl groups to break into the Japanese market. The girls recently kicked off their Asia tour "KARASIA" and will hold the Japan leg in two months time. ※ Any copying, republication or redistribution of 10Asia's content is expressly prohibited without prior consent of 10Asia. Copyright infringement is subject to criminal and civil penalties.10 아시아 Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@10 아시아 Editor : Monica Suk monicasuk@<ⓒ즐거움의 공장 "10 아시아" (10.asiae.co.kr) 무단전재 배포금지>