KARA conflict close to seeing resolution

Tae Jin-ah (right) and KARA [Jin-ah Company/ DSP Media]

Han Seungyeon, Kang Jiyoung and Nicole Jung of girl group KARA will probably stay with their agency DSP Media, according to the head of Korea Singers Association (KSA).

Tae Jin-ah, veteran singer and the chairman of KSA, told Asia Economic Daily on Friday that the legal representatives for the three members of KARA and DSP have "responded positively" to a mediated settlement he presented to both parties on the dispute which is "close to coming to an end."

He explained that he came up with the settlement himself based on his experience as both a singer and producer, saying it was a resolution serving the interests of both sides.

He then added, "The decision is set to come by today or tomorrow and all there is left to be done is for the lawyers to sign the papers. And then myself and the chairman of Korea Entertainment Producers Association (KEPA) will produce a joint statement."

Another official in the entertainment industry said the three girls have expressed their intention of returning to DSP and are negotiating on the details.

However, a lawyer for DSP remarked, "It is true that we've decided to compromise but there are still many things to be settled."

Han, Kang, and Jung had been in conflict with DSP since January when they announced that they will split from them for various reasons amounting to them having lost their trust in the agency.

The situation had only escalated further when the three filed a petition to the Seoul Central District Court in mid-February, demanding for their contract with DSP to be invalidated.

This raised skepticism of the group remaining a five-member entity which would end their currently highly successful singing career.

Also composed of members Gu Hara and Park Gyulee, KARA has been one of the most popular idols in Korea since making their debut in the country in 2007.

The K-pop quintet has enjoyed huge success in Japan in particular -- just this week, they became the first foreign female group in the Oricon's 43-year history to top the prestigious chart in the first week of releasing a single with their third Japanese single "JET COASTER LOVE."

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Jessica Kim jesskim@