January 14 at midnight, DSP Media issued an official statement regarding Nicole's departure in the homepage of KARA.
DSP Media had written, “As of January 16, the contract between DSP Media and member Nicole, who has shared the joys and sorrows as part of Kara for the past seven years, will end. While her activities with Kara will end, we ask that you will cheer on Nicole with us, who is preparing for a new start.”
Then continued, “Kara is preparing for individual acting activities and album promotions. We ask that you continue to give a lot of support and love to Kara who will be coming to you with a new image.”
It was in October when it was announced by DSP that members Park Gyuri, Han Seung Yeon, and Goo Hara had renewed their contact with the agency for two years. While, Kang Ji Young‘s contract ends in April, and it is still anticipated what will happen to next for KARA until then.
Meanwhile, media outlet My Daily reported that Nicole is preparing for her studies in the U.S. after leaving the group. According to a music insider, Nicole and her mother are preparing for Nicole to have dance and vocal training lessons.Currently, there has no official statement for Nicole yet and everyone is tuning in to what will happen next for her.