Gu Ha-ra, a member of five-member girl group KARA, said she will remain with her agency DSP Media, withdrawing from the earlier announcement that the group will terminate their exclusive contract with the agency.

Four members of KARA, excluding the band’s leader, earlier on Wednesday made the announcement through a legal firm.

<YONHAP PHOTO-2514> 카라, 우리가 한류의 중심 (서울=연합뉴스) 홍기원 기자 = 13일 오후 서울 강남구 논현동 임피리얼 팰리스 호텔에서 열린 '2011 콘텐츠 한마음 신년 인사회'에서 한류 유공자 표창을 받은 그룹 카라가 포즈를 취하고 있다. 2011.1.13 xanadu@yna.co.kr/2011-01-13 19:59:25/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2011 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.>
Girl group KARA receives a commendation from the Culture Ministry for promoting the Korean Wave in Seoul on Jan. 13. Yonhap News
<YONHAP PHOTO-2514> 카라, 우리가 한류의 중심 (서울=연합뉴스) 홍기원 기자 = 13일 오후 서울 강남구 논현동 임피리얼 팰리스 호텔에서 열린 '2011 콘텐츠 한마음 신년 인사회'에서 한류 유공자 표창을 받은 그룹 카라가 포즈를 취하고 있다. 2011.1.13 xanadu@yna.co.kr/2011-01-13 19:59:25/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2011 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> Girl group KARA receives a commendation from the Culture Ministry for promoting the Korean Wave in Seoul on Jan. 13. Yonhap News

Girl group KARA receives a commendation from the Culture Ministry for promoting the Korean Wave in Seoul on Jan. 13. (Yonhap News)

The four members said they are deeply distressed by the agency’s misuse of power, which has forced them to undergo unwanted activities, personal insults, and sign several contracts without being informed of the details. They said they made the decision as they have been suffering from depression and frustration.

As the lawsuit filed against SM Entertainment by three members of JYJ over their 13-year contract has not yet been solved, KARA’s decision has caused concern among their fans in Korea and Japan. KARA have been at the center of hallyu, or the Korean Wave, in Japan and recently starred in Japanese drama URAKARA as main cast members

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldm.com)