SEOUL – South Korean girl group Kara is set to disband as its agency DSP Media said Friday that its exclusive contracts with three members of the quartet ended the same day.

Kara, which was formed in South Korea in 2007, has also been popular in Japan where it debuted in 2010 as a five-member group that included the three members whose contracts were terminated.

The three are Park Gyu-ri, Han Seung-yeon and Goo Ha-ra. Their contracts were due to expire on Feb. 2 but the end date was moved up apparently after they showed signs of seeking to switch agencies.

DSP Media said it will continue its contract with the fourth and newest member, Heo Young-ji, who joined Kara in 2014. Two other members had left the group earlier that year.

Kara helped raise the popularity of Korean pop music in Japan, conducting extensive activities in the country including appearing in Japanese public broadcaster NHK’s prestigious “Kohaku” song festival on New Year’s Eve of 2011.