[Twitter] KARA's Nicole clarifies her departure from the group!!

The possible departure of KARA's Nicole and Jiyoung from the group has set the K-Pop world in turmoil over the past few days with the news that one of its biggest groups may be going through a major shift.

To ease her fans, Nicole posted a long, heartfelt message on Twitter earlier today, outlining some of her reasons behind her decision and plans for the future.

(Credits to DSP Media) 

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"To my dear Kamilia," she began:

"I'm sorry for making you worry with rumors of our re-contracting and breaking apart ... and for hurting you. But I was also surprised and disbelieving at the fact that my departure and contract issues were publicized, just before our Japanese tour. But I wanted to speak my mind about the matter so I'm going to post it here.

The most important thing ... I started as a KARA member and I want to see the end as a KARA member. But after reading the articles and interviews saying that I would be switched out from KARA since I wasn't up for a contract renewal ... it was very frustrating and confusing.

I think that my renewal debate with DSP Media is not a renewal as a KARA member, but as an artist. Although I may not be an artist under the company, I hope to find a solution where I can continue with the group I've been with since the beginning.

I'm just one person. I don't think that KARA should change, or be broken apart, because of me. So I thought about splitting up my contracts between me as a KARA member and me in relation to the company, split between my private and public life.

I still have a lot of goals. That's why I want to re-make myself, while doing my best within KARA. To do that, I feel that I need time and effort ... that's why I decided to not renew my personal contract with DSP, since I wanted to put that effort into my future.

As KARA, we received much love from Kamilia and want to show a better side of us to you, but as this happening escalates and hurts you ... it hurts me too. I was hurt by the stories about renewals and member changes. I don't think that a single person owns KARA. Since I'm a member of KARA and am responsible for the name, I had the same thoughts as above.

But if everyone and representatives of KARA disagree with me and consider this impossible, I will return to a private person by the name of Jung Nicole.

Regardless of my renewal status with the company, I promise to continue promoting as a KARA member. I do, and always will, love KARA and am happy working as a KARA member ... and the group is such a big part of my life.

Thank you so much to everyone who loves and supports us ..."

(Credits to Nicole's Twitter)

[RUMOR] Nicole possible solo debut?

DSP Media revealed that Nicole will not be renewing her contract with the company and will be dropping out of girl group KARA.  However, many people are wondering what she plans to do next.

According to multiple sources in the industry, "After the upcoming performance in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan on November 24, Nicole plans to leave KARA and pursue solo activities."  Nicole had a contract with DSP Media until January of next year, but without a renewal, she is going in the direction of a solo career.

KARA is in the middle of deciding whether to keep their group as is or add a new member after Nicole leaves.  In addition, member Jiyoung, whose contract expires later than the other girls, is still contemplating whether she should stay on as a member or shift her focus on her studies.  

Source: Star Today via Daum

Photo credits to Nicole and DSP Media

[NEWS] Nicole will be leaving KARA!!! Jiyoung may leave as well?

Rumors surfaced recently about KARA's disbandment with a Japanese media outlet running an exclusive story, which DSP Media denied at first. However, the agency has now revealed that the KARA we know may be seeing some changes as Nicole has decided not to renew her contract and Jiyoung is in the process of deciding whether to continue her singing career or focus on school instead.

DSP Media announced through an official press release, "We are announcing our official position on the matter of Nicole's domestic contract with DSP Media."

"Gyuri, Seungyeon, and Hara have all renewed their contract for another 2 years, and have decided to conduct their future activities with DSP... The contract for Jiyoung, different from the other members, will end in April and she has decided to think more about her life's path, her singing career, and education."

"Nicole has revealed that she has no intention to renew her contract with DSP and thus her contract will expire in January as originally scheduled," the agency stated, thereby indirectly stating that Nicole will no longer be a member of KARA once the contract ends.

The agency assured fans however that the name of KARA will continue on even if there are members that leave. "Even if some members leave without renewing their contracts, the team itself will not be disbanded and will continue to promote domestically as well as overseas."

[Update] - In addition to the press release, on the matter of Jiyoung's contract and her dilemma of whether to continue on with singing or focus on school instead, those close to her told the media, "It's true that she is thinking about resting. She looked into studying abroad. However, at this moment, as a time she is working hard as part of KARA, nothing has been confirmed yet... It's not that she's saying that she's going to quit her life in the entertainment field. There's still a lot of time left, so we'll be having to discuss this more."

Source: Joynews, MyDaily, Osen

(Photo credits to DSP Media)