DSP & reps for 3 KARA members meet for 8 hours, decide to continue activities as 5

KARA’s agency, DSP Media, and the representatives for three of the group’s members (Kang Jiyoung, Jung Nicole, Han Seungyeon) met for a second round of negotiation talks regarding the existing schedule and group members.

In a news item released on January 27th, it was revealed that as a result of the second talks, KARA will remain as a five-member group and will work together to continue their scheduled activities.

DSP Media representatives said, “The reached agreement for the five members to work together was in order to not cause problems for the scheduled activities.” Adding on, “In a restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul, the CEO of DSP and the parents of Kang Jiyoung, Jung Nicole, and Han Seungyeon met for the first time since the dispute occurred and talked for 8 hours. Because no negotiations were reached in the last meeting on the 25th between the legal representatives, this meeting was initiated.”

DSP Media continued, “At this meeting, the parents of the three members who were leaving the agency and the DSP Media CEO tried to agree on their demands. Thus, the urgent issue of the existing scheduled activities was resolved.”

Furthermore, DSP Media added, “The results of the issues discussed and plans of future meetings were not determined.”

Korean officials hold conference to protect rights of idols

In response to the growing public outcry over “slave contracts” and the alleged mistreatment of idols (as evidenced by the JYJ-SM Entertainment / KARA-DSP Entertainment controversies), government officials and broadcasting executives met today to discuss policies to protect the rights of idols, who are increasingly entering the industry at younger and younger ages.

Also discussed was the problem of defining “indecent exposure” (the amont of exposure deemed unsuitable for public broadcast), which seems to be more of a vague idea than an actual standard, as it varies from network to network.

Attendees included the Secretary of Health and Welfare, the Fair Trade Commission, theCommunications Commission, and a number of other related government regulatory bodies.  Representatives from the “big three” broadcasting stations included the KBS Content Director and the heads of production of MBC and SBS.

Credits: allkpop

DSP sends proposal to KARA, could possibly return as 5 soon

On January 25th, Landmark, the legal representatives for the three members of KARA (Kang Jiyoung, Jung Nicole, Han Seungyeon), revealed that, “DSP Media has proposed the following for KARA members: ‘Creating an agreement on promotions within and outside of Korea’ and ‘Consulting and requesting the members’ opinions’. With regards to the first proposal, DSP expressed that the company has shown clear intentions of negotiating with the members. These were proposed in hope that the three KARA members will continue carrying out their schedules in Korea and Japan. The representative predicts that the fans will be able to see the five members of KARA promoting together very soon.”

The contents of ‘To create an agreement on promotions within and outside of Korea’ are as follows:

1) From now on, KARA members will have an experienced manager while promoting in Korea and overseas.

2) After discussing resuming promotions in Japan, DSP will acknowledge the opinions of members and seek contact from the manager stated in the first point.

3) During promotions in Korea and overseas, the members are allowed to have their guardians (the members’ parents or someone they have chosen) accompanying them and contribute to making important decisions.

4) While promoting in Japan, the representative of DSP Japan will be cooperative.

However, a representative of the three KARA members said, “In regards to the second proposal, the KARA members expressed that they still don’t have faith in DSP. There’s been a promise and agreement with DSP to promote right away, yet we are disappointed with their insincerity.”

The KARA members’ opinions of ‘Consulting and requesting of the members’ opinions’ are as follows:

1) The three members of KARA will let the legal department deal with their contract, and both sides have agreed to complete activities that they have missed.

2) In order to restore faith in the relationship between KARA and DSP, the three members have suggested the following to be completed by January 27th:

a) The members will meet with representative Lee Hoyeon and not DSP.

b) Finding an end to the gap between the management until the return of representative Lee Hoyeon.

c) They will seek a management that is highly regarded and reliable.

d) They will find a way to organize and improve Care, KARA’s management team.

e) Making sure that KARA’s promised income is given.

f) An explanation in the relationship between DSP and DSP Japan.

3) Fixing the individual contracts before all the members terminate their contract.

4) Once the overall income has been calculated, they will provide full disclosure and all paperwork regarding the income.

A representative of the three members said, “DSP was not able to give a clear answer in regards to representative Lee Hoyeon’s whereabouts, as well as performing as five members again. Not only did the three KARA members lose faith in DSP, but the contracts were also unfair. The members have also recognized a difference between their opinions and the company’s stand on the issue.”

With regards to their requests to shorten their contract, they expressed, “It was not the members who had brought it up first, but DSP had privately approached one member with this issue. We were able to find out the intentions of DSP on that day. The company had stated that they would resolve and shorten the contracts but to change their answer now has confused all of us.”

Credits: allkpop

The Plot Thickens: DSP Entertainment Reveals Text Message from “J”

The Korean media has been buzzing over the identity of an outside party that tried to lure KARA away from the management of DSP Media.

Although no one was able to properly identify the party, DSP Media decided to reveal text messages sent by “J” to the KARA members, encouraging them to “call anytime.”

“J” goes on to say that he has “cars” and “managers who work well”, and so if they need anything at all, they shouldn’t hesitate to let him know.

While this message was released with the intent of weakening the three KARA members’ lawsuit, it’s unclear whether this was a major factor in the members’ decision-making process to begin with. DSP Media has been claiming that rival offers from “J” pushed Jiyoung, Nicole, and Seungyeon to file for contract terminations, but the message does not mention any offer of a contract.

It does, however, call into question the idea that the three members were not influenced by “J” in their decision to sue DSP.

One thing is for certain – a bitter legal fight is in the works.

Credits: allkpop

The Plot Thickens: DSP Entertainment Reveals Text Message from “J”

The Korean media has been buzzing over the identity of an outside party that tried to lure KARA away from the management of DSP Media.

Although no one was able to properly identify the party, DSP Media decided to reveal text messages sent by “J” to the KARA members, encouraging them to “call anytime.”

“J” goes on to say that he has “cars” and “managers who work well”, and so if they need anything at all, they shouldn’t hesitate to let him know.

While this message was released with the intent of weakening the three KARA members’ lawsuit, it’s unclear whether this was a major factor in the members’ decision-making process to begin with. DSP Media has been claiming that rival offers from “J” pushed Jiyoung, Nicole, and Seungyeon to file for contract terminations, but the message does not mention any offer of a contract.

It does, however, call into question the idea that the three members were not influenced by “J” in their decision to sue DSP.

One thing is for certain – a bitter legal fight is in the works.

Credits: allkpop

The demands of the KARA trio are finally revealed

The three members of KARA have finally revealed their demands in their contract adjustments with DSP Media, with the two main points being to shorten the contract time and having a modification in the board of directors.

With the three members having a contract that still lasts another 3-4 years, the trio has demanded their contracts be shortened to July of 2012 instead, as they would like to end their contract at the same time their contract with Universal Japan ends. They have also requested a more professional management team, as well as a transparent accounting system.

In addition, the three have requested for the resignation of the wife of CEO Lee Ho Yeon, who had been his replacement since last year after he fell into a coma. The trio would also like for a new system, whereby their legal representative could participate in the group’s accounting and contract audits.

It was later announced that DSP Media would agree to only partially meet their demands. A representative stated, “Isn’t demanding a shortening of their contract and a change in directors a bit too much? For reinforcing the management team and making a transparent accounting and contract system, if the members are willing to come back and discuss further, then there are possibilities that they can be partially accepted.”

Credits: allkpop

Core Contents Media CEO orders boycott of the YPA due to KARA conflict

The CEO of Core Contents Media, Kim Kwang Su, expressed his displeasure with the Young Producers’ Association (YPA) due to their support of the three KARA members.

The YPA had made an official statement on January 23rd, which criticized the tactics of DSP Mediaand made it clear that they were standing with the members’ decision to stand against their agency.

In an interview with Star News on the 24th, Kim retorted, “The statement made by YPA glosses over the stances of the majority of producers.  Because of their statement, I have ordered an immediate halt on the distribution of dramas, movie OSTs, and digital services of our artists on all digital music sites related to the YPA.”

Kim continued, “I have sent an official document to Loen and Mnet to take down our artists’ songs.  The YPA has lost their ground, and even if my decision is not regarded favorably, such strong actions are needed as a veteran of the industry.”

Source: Star News via Nate

Credits: allkpop