DSP confirms Nicole leaving Kara

Popular girl group Kara is coming to an end in January, at least in its current five-member configuration. After weeks of speculation, the group’s agency DSP Media told Ilgan Sports, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily, that Nicole will leave the group after her contract expires in January.The agency also said it is preparing to give Nicole a farewell for the group’s fans.Kara released a new EP - “French Kiss” - and a best-of album in Japan yesterday, but nothing official has been announced for the fans in Korea yet.Many local music experts expect that the DSP Festival on Dec. 14 at Jamsil Stadium in southeastern Seoul, featuring all the singers affiliated with the agency, could be the last chance to see Kara with the whole lineup.Whether the group continues without Nicole is still undecided as another member, Kang Ji-young, also has a contract expiring in April, and she has not said if she wants to remain with the agency.Officials in the music industry are saying the group’s future will likely hinge on Kang’s decision. Many think that Kara could withstand losing one member, but two may be a deathblow.By Lee Sun-min