KARA returning to DSP Media "a possibility"

From left, KARA members Kang Ji-young, Nicole, Park Gyu-lee, Han Seung-yeon and Gu Hara. [DSP Media]

The possibility of Han Seung-yeon, Nicole and Kang Ji-young of girl group KARA returning to DSP Media exists, the three's legal representative Hong Myung-ho of law firm Landmark told reporters in Seoul on Friday.

"If the issues that the [three] members and their parents have raised get solved, you could say there's a chance it could happen," Hong said in response to a question asking whether the three could withdraw on their decisions to terminate their contract with DSP and go back to the agency.

Earlier in the day, Hong had issued a press release stating that Han, Kang and Nicole and their parents want to see KARA stay the current quintet, regardless of the ongoing spat they have with the agency.

The statement stressed that their current situation is related only to the girls' relationship with the agency and not problems existent amongst the girls themselves although leader Park Gyu-lee has not joined the three in their move and member Gu Hara reversed her position and chose to stay with the agency.

Fans and industry watchers have voiced their concerns over KARA possibly disbanding when they are at the height of their singing career in both Korea and Japan.

KARA has been one of the most popular girl groups in Korea since making their debut with their first album "Blooming" in 2007. They have released several singles and albums containing their hits "Pretty Girl," "Wanna" and "Lupin."

The quintet then expanded their career to Japan in August last year after signing with Universal Music Sigma, a branch of Universal Music group, which too has been a success.

They were named best new artist of the year at the 25th annual Japan Gold Disc Award, have placed at No. 1 on the Oricon chart's listing for the most successful new artist of 2010, and Oricon also named them the most promising artist of 2011.

Han, Kang and Nicole however, announced on Wednesday that they will split from DSP for various reasons including the agency abusing its authority to force the girls to carry out unwanted activities, insulting them and signing contracts without discussion nor consent from them including tricking them into signing a contract with DSP's branch in Japan.

Meanwhile, DSP has been rebutting every claim made through Landmark, saying the wife of DSP's chief has managed the agency well on her husband's behalf which can be proven through KARA's popularity in Japan and throughout Asia, that KARA has been paid in a way that would be advantageous to them and that there was no deception involved with contracts.

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Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@