Author Topic: (Group) KARA (카라) (Read 842042 times)

mrhomiec · « **Reply #1700 on:** January 17, 2011, 03:47:59 PM »

both of them are members of B2ST.

Deft-Monkey · « **Reply #1701 on:** January 19, 2011, 02:01:48 AM »

...

Quote

Reports of KARA splitting from their agency, DSP Media Entertainment, has sent shockwaves throughout the music industry. The members of KARA, excluding leader Gyuri, reasoned that they had lost their confidence in their relationship with DSP Media Entertainment, and that it could never be regained again.

Landmark, KARA’s lawyers, reported on January 19th:

“Despite KARA receiving much love from their activities in both Korea and Japan, the members have experienced inexplicable pain that brought them to this decision. They’ve held it in for a long time, but in order to protect their rights and their future, the members have decided to part ways from their company.

KARA has tried their absolute best in compromising with their company prior to their decision, but their agency used their power in forcing the members to fulfill schedules that they did not want, and continuously added activities on top of a loaded schedule without prior consent or discussion. The psychological damages that the members were forced to endure cannot be explained in words, and their efforts have gone to waste. Their misery is severe, and they can no longer remain under such a company, which is why they decided to declare their withdrawal.

Trust is the most important aspect of a relationship between an agency and its artist, but the agency has been using KARA as a way to make money. A variety of issues that have not been stated are still present. The agency has decided the majority of the girls’ celebrity activities without any sort of discussion or meeting, and has rejected requests asking for explanations or for proper documents. Their relationship has been destroyed to the point that it could never be restored again.“

Representatives of DSP Media commented, “This is ridiculous, we are not sure what went wrong. We have yet to understand the situation. We’ll be releasing an official statement soon.”

Credits: VITALSIGN @ allkpop + Star News + Star Today

It doesn't bother me that much that they're leaving DSP. What really bothers me is that they're losing a member if this is followed through. Not again, please

jaysonnj · « **Reply #1702 on:** January 19, 2011, 02:44:51 AM »

Never understood why people love talent agencies so much. DSP doesn't seem like a great company to work for recently with their two top groups leaving within a year. DSP has a serious problem on their hands and may not survive with only Rainbow and Gyuri.

And I don't even want to speculate as to why Gyuri is staying on when the other four left. Hopefully they'll stay together like SS501 did.

Kimuuu · « **Reply #1703 on:** January 19, 2011, 03:07:28 AM »

Teh Tumblrs are saying that Gyuri didn't even know this was going down. Shit. I'm trying to get back on to quote where I read that but now Tumblr is down (again). Maybe the KARA fans broke it.

Edit:
http://fuckyeahthebestsnsdblog.tumblr.com/post/2819919801/karas-gyuri-didnt-know-about-the-contract

"She" being Gyuri.

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On January 19th, she stated, “I heard only just now that my dongsengs were terminating their contracts with our agency. I am not sure of the situation right now, I have to call the other members and our agency.”

She continued, “I saw the articles just now as well. I will find out. I’ve been alone since last night because my radio program ended late, but all I want to do is be with the KARA members right now. That is the proper path. I’ll be talking with them after I understand precisely what is going on.”

A1 · « **Reply #1704 on:** January 19, 2011, 03:28:24 AM »

What the hell? That came out of nowhere. I'm going to wait on some more information before I rage and pass judgment

.

thatonezombie · « **Reply #1705 on:** January 19, 2011, 04:30:38 AM »

I'm with the homey A1 on this one. Seriously need more info on this.

Deft-Monkey · « **Reply #1706 on:** January 19, 2011, 04:43:10 AM »

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With the industry still reeling from the news that KARA’s Seungyeon, Nicole, Hara, and Jiyoung were filing to terminate their exclusive contracts with their agency, DSP Media, it was hit with yet another shocking piece of news. It was reported that DSP Media has applied for trademark rights over the ‘KARA’ name – many had already believed that the ‘KARA’ name was patented by this point, considering the strength of the group’s success.

According to information revealed by a patent browser on January 19th, DSP Media requested to trademark 85 different clauses regarding KARA on December 7th, 2010. Because it is still only an application, DSP Media does not have rights over the name yet, but should it become finalized, the members will need special permission from DSP in order to continue under the name of ‘KARA’.

Such recent developments have raised speculations over whether DSP Media predicted KARA’s move and attempted to take advantage of the situation by submitting the patent.

Trademark rights have always been a central issue whenever artists move onto different agencies, as the original agency is reluctant to allow those artists to promote under the same name once they leave.

The four girls were asked whether they would be open to compromising with DSP Media, in regards to their lawsuit against them. Hong Myungho of Trademark spoke through Star News and replied, “Before we reported the news to the public, we discussed with the parents of the four members and considered everyones’ opinions. Nobody has expressed a desire to continue moving forward with DSP Media. We will have to come to an agreement on various outstanding issues with DSP Media, in order to move on with the termination.”

When asked why Park Gyuri was excluded from their report, Hong replied, “We are working only for the four members, so we are not sure of Gyuri’s position. We’ve been in discussion with the members’ parents since two months ago. At the time, they attempted several times to reach a compromise with their agency, but because they could not reach one, they decided to terminate their contracts instead.”

Source: Star News #1, #2 via Nate

Credit: VITALSIGN @ allkpop

I don't want to go jumping to any conclusions on my own before DSP releases and official statement, but I wish they would make it soon.

kuro808 · « **Reply #1707 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:00:23 AM »

this is quite a shock but yeah more has to be put out before judgement but this is quite interesting

jaysonnj · « **Reply #1708 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:01:41 AM »

SY and Hara at the airport

Quote from: Deft-Monkey on January 19, 2011, 04:43:10 AM

I don't want to go jumping to any conclusions on my own before DSP releases and official statement, but I wish they would make it soon.

Also remember that at a time like this even if it is an official statement you can't always believe it. Best to let everything play out.

jaysonnj · « **Reply #1709 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:16:09 AM »

All smiles five days ago at a signing event

kuro808 · « **Reply #1710 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:19:29 AM »

^ somehow if it is true, it had to been built up for a while, and with more information I think we might be looking at a timebomb

Mugen · « **Reply #1711 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:46:58 AM »

I hope they sort this out. Gyuri's reaction seemed to favour towards the other members so it's a good thing!

jaysonnj · « **Reply #1712 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:56:54 AM »

Gyuri's mom is the new Yoko Ono?

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Further details regarding KARA’s decision to terminate their exclusive contracts with DSP Media have been revealed through TV Report, Park Gyuri’s mother, and representatives of DSP Media.

TV Report claimed that industry representatives were aware of the issues surrounding KARA and their agency since December 2010. Representatives of DSP Media and Park Gyuri allege that the reason for the four members’ terminations was “eventually because of money.”

According to another industry representative, KARA brought in a total of $18 million USD in income from their Japanese promotions, but as of December 2010, the group was only paid $3,000 USD per person.

The members were also only paid for album sales for August and September of 2010, excluding CF and event appearances. The girls are said to have been paid in a greater amount for their activities aside from album and digital sales, which are all going to be paid without problems. The reason the girls are paid less for their album sales is said to be because of specific clauses in DSP’s contract with their Japanese distribution company.

Income made from the girls’ Japanese albums are calculated three months after its initial release, and 85% of the profits go to the distribution company, leaving DSP with the remaining 15%. The representative mentioned that the numbers are similar for any Korean artist advancing into the Japanese market.

Especially with DSP Media’s CEO, Lee Hoyeon, currently hospitalized, all artists under the agency were ordered to be kept under tight control. Around this time, another entertainment agency approached KARA and offered them to join their agency. The agency went as far as to offer to pay the penalties the girls would have to deal with for breaching their contracts should they take the offer.

The representative was said to have met with one of the members’ mothers to present a contract with fairer terms and a promotion plan that would instantly earn KARA enough fame to rival that of SNSD’s popularity.

The representative first met with Gyuri’s mother, but discussions did not run smoothly. In an interview with TV Report, her mother stated, “I could not betray DSP, who worked their hardest in creating who KARA is now. I have no problems with the contracts, and I trust DSP.”

Representatives of DSP further added, “There were mothers that brought up problems, so we made sure to make all related documents as transparent as possible to them. We used accountants that they chose, but in the end, they could not trust even that.”

Another representative also revealed that DSP Media met with KARA’s mothers on January 18th and almost reached a compromise to reform the income distribution regarding their Japanese albums. The next day, KARA’s lawyers from Trademark announced their contract terminations.

Is there a possibility for them to reach a compromise? The industry is already speculating them to be the ’second TVXQ‘ due to the complex underlying issues.

“There are definitely various problems with both parties, but the ultimate issue is the competition in trying to scout KARA, and money. The reality of these disputes with TVXQ and KARA is quite disappointing,” said one representative.

DSP Media has reasoned that they have no option left but to take legal action, predicting yet another legal battle in the industry.

Source: SPN, TV Report via Nate

from AKP

kuro808 · « **Reply #1713 on:** January 19, 2011, 06:06:46 AM »

From this report, it looks much more messy than I thought it was, although I am not surprised about the income distribution, however, there is alot that have to be resolve to stay together, hopefully they can, and even if they do, it looks to me based by the numbers, probably the worst investment plan i've seen for any type of business

zoolander · « **Reply #1714 on:** January 19, 2011, 07:20:59 AM »

Gyuri's mom did seem weird on the shows I've seen her on but in a good way. She was really funny. I think she was a voice actor and minor idol herself so she probably knows the business. I was just gonna post something about outside influences myself, wondering how common it is they get to these idols before seeing that article jaysonnj posted.

It was amazing they got through the first shakeup loosing someone as vital to the group and their sound as Sunghee (and not only that but became much bigger). Having Gyuri, being the leader and the next best singer, break off from the other 4 would be a huge shame.

daigong · « **Reply #1715 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:34:28 AM »

I'M SO APPALLED!! SHE MIGHT TRY TO BUY THEM ALL!!

FUCKING RIDICULOUS!

just when they were breaking into Japan big time wtf

Mugen · « **Reply #1716 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:42:27 AM »

god damn $3000 each over 18 mil?

mode107 · « **Reply #1717 on:** January 19, 2011, 09:08:47 AM »

People have already started calling them "DBSK 2"

I hope they will make it through--all of them. KARA can't disband over this!

Jeani · « **Reply #1718 on:** January 19, 2011, 10:57:05 AM »

why already disbanding?
what the hell... >.>

ahhhhh ;_; thats so frustrating...I started to love Kara so much and now this?

LaJon · « **Reply #1719 on:** January 19, 2011, 02:12:50 PM »

Conflict between members of KARA and their Agency doesn't necessarily mean that the group is officially disbanded, but it does make things look really shaky.

We'll have to see where the lawsuits take them, but I hope that they can work things out. DSP Media saying the usual bit about how KARA has it all wrong, and KARA members saying that they weren't handled properly. I tend to believe the artist in situations like this, but who knows. It's gonna be sad if they do actually disband and we find out it was over some petty nonsense.

Author Topic: (Group) KARA (카라) (Read 842042 times)

mode107