The record contract of Kara singer Nicole Jung, known to fans as simply "Nicole," will terminate on Thursday, but that doesn't mean she is leaving the group just yet.

A representative for Kara's record label DSP Media told the Korean publication My Daily that Nicole will continue to perform with Kara into February, when she'll head to the US to pursue an education.

"She is preparing to leave for America," the rep said.

"DSP Media's contract with Nicole, who had been a member of Kara for the last seven years, will expire on Jan. 16," a statement from the record label on Kara's website explains.

"Her promotions with Kara will unfortunately come to an end, but we ask that you join us in supporting Nicole as she prepares for a new beginning."

The record label's statement included a plea to fans to stick with the band during the new era without Nicole.

"This year, Kara are preparing for various activities, such as individual acting and an album release," the statement read.

"We ask for the same amount of support and love in the future for the Kara members who wish to appear before their fans with an even newer image."

Nicole was a founding member of Kara, along with band members Park Gyuri, Han Seungyeon and Kim Sunghee, when the band debuted in 2007.

Some fans wondered if DSP Media executives were already attempting to shift to the new era of Kara when Nicole's photo was removed from the band photo featured on the Android smart phone application "I Love Music," a move a spokesperson for the Japanese corporation KT Japan that maintains the app admitted was premature.

"We acted one step ahead, as Nicole's contract expires on the 16," the KT spokesperson told the news outlet Tokyo Sports World on Monday.

A DSP Media rep brushed off the incident when asked for comment by the publication Sports World.

"That was just a simple accident," the rep said. "The picture immediately returned to its original state."