With girl group Kara losing two members, the future of Nicole and Kang Ji Young have been the hot topic of speculation over the past couple of weeks in both Korea and Japan. Just earlier this week, a Japanese web magazine called Daily Cyzo reported that one of Kang Ji Young’s reasons for leaving Kara was due the influence of her possible boyfriend, Supernova‘s Geon Il. This and the relationship was denied by both sides. Now another Japanese media source, the magazine Josei Jishin reported on January 22 local time that Nicole’s departure from Kara was her mother’s plan, and that she was negotiation with T-ara‘s agency, Core Contents Media.

According to My Daily, Josei Jishin wrote, “The one who planned Nicole’s contract cancellation was her mother. Nicole’s mother is currently running restaurants in Korea and Japan, and she has contacts in the entertainment industry. She has gone to several entertainment agencies for her daughter to transfer to.” Josei Jishin also write that Nicole’s mother personally negotiated with T-ara’s agency for it to recruit her daughter.

In response to this report, both Nicole and Core Contents Media announced that it was untrue. A source close to Nicole stated to Newsen, “Nothing has been decided regarding an agency. She will take her time and think about [the decision] seriously. She will focus on training for the time being with solo activities in mind for the future.”

Core Contents Media stated to several sources that the report by Josei Jishin is absolutely untrue. To Oh My News, it stated, “We have never talked to Nicole’s side about a contract.” To OBS News, it stated, “We plan to protest to the original Japanese source.”

Meanwhile, Nicole’s contract with DSP Media ended on January 16, making her departure from Kara official. It was also announced recently that member Kang Ji Young will also be departing from Kara when her contract ends in April, leaving the girl group with three members: Park Gyuri, Han Seung Yeon, and Goo Hara.

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