KARA's fan base, Kamilia, recently made the headlines in Korea as they launched a massive protest to show their disagreement at DSP Media's decision to draft new members into the group.
As part of their protests, members of Kamilia hung banners in various locations throughout the country. Photographs of the banners placed in various areas were uploaded on Twitter and Facebook showing fans' distaste in adding new members into KARA. The banners read, "DSP Media, we are opposed to adding new members to Kara." The fans seem to prefer that Hara, Gyuri, and Seungyeon remain as a trio, without having to replace former members Jiyoung and Nicole.
The protest was staged in advance to KARA's upcoming "Kamilia Day Fan Meeting" on the afternoon of May 24. Up to 5,000 fans are expected at the event, but so far only 1,000 have signed up for it.
Earlier this year, former KARA members Nicole and Jiyoung have announced that they will no longer renew their contract with DSP Media, thus leading them to exit the group. While Nicole left in January, Jiyoung followed by April. In response to their departure, DSP Media stated that they do not wish to get new members for the group, adding that Seungyeon, Gyuri, and Hara will continue to promote as a group of three. However, the decision was altered just this month when DSP Media announced that they will be picking out new members for KARA through the show "KARA Project". All 7 contestants on the show were selected from DSP Media's current pool of female trainees.
After the announcement, fans immediately expressed their displeasure in adding new members to the group. On this, KARA leader Gyuri took to Twitter to express her apologies.
Her post read:
"Our Kamilia is always getting hurt. I'm sorry.
There are so many things I want to say, so many things I want to explain, and so many things I want to say to make you feel better, but it's hard to say through text.
I also think that the meaning might get twisted to become hurtful and make my people suffer more.
I was never able to say anything easily, but even if I'm a celebrity or not, I'm sorry for giving pain to the ones who loved us.
There are painful words saying KARA's at its last breath, that we're lacking confidence, etc... But we have to show you that... it's different than what you think. Because that's what we have to do... It's not like that.
I'm just sorry you're hurt. I'm sorry. I hope the rest of your day is good."
Amidst the protest, "KARA Project" will air its first episode on May 27.