Iconic co-ed K-pop group KARD announce official disbandment

Fans of Korean popular music have been dealt a devastating blow as the trailblazing co-ed group KARD announced they are to disband after a highly successful decade together. The group’s agency, DSP Media, released an official statement on Monday confirming that the four-piece ensemble will officially dissolve later this year, bringing the curtain down on a magnificent era.

Within the highly structured K-pop industry, agencies traditionally favour gender-segregated acts, resulting in a market heavily dominated by all-male boybands or all-female girlbands. When KARD debuted in 2016 with its unique four-member line-up—comprising J.Seph, BM, Somin, and Jiwoo—they completely shattered this conventional blueprint. Their refreshing mixed-gender dynamic instantly resonated with international audiences, triggering a massive wave of global popularity, particularly across Latin America and Europe.

Over the past ten years, KARD established a distinct sonic identity, blending dancehall, moombahton, and electronic pop rhythms. Their extensive discography includes global streaming hits such as ‘Oh Na Na’, ‘Don’t Recall’, ‘Hola Hola’, ‘Ride on the Wind’, ‘Red Moon’, ‘Ring the Alarm’, and ‘Tell My Mama’. While the group consistently found immense success with a series of critically acclaimed mini-albums and extended plays, they are now preparing a definitive farewell gift for their dedicated fanbase, known affectionately as Hidden KARD.

The group is scheduled to release their first-ever full-length studio album, Where To Now? (Part 2): Nowhere, on 28th July. This highly anticipated release will serve as their final musical offering. Following the album launch, the quartet will embark on their previously scheduled global concert series, the ‘Now Here World Tour’, spanning August and September. Once the final curtain falls on this international tour, KARD will officially cease all group operations.

In the fiercely competitive South Korean music sector, most newly debuted acts sign standard seven-year exclusive contracts—a milestone many groups fail to survive, giving rise to the industry term “the seven-year itch”. KARD, however, successfully defied these odds. Driven by their profound personal camaraderie and a fiercely loyal global following, the members successfully extended their journey to a tenth year. With their contracts finally reaching their natural expiration in July 2026, the members and DSP Media reached a mutual consensus to conclude group activities on a high note.

Although their collective journey is drawing to a close, all four members intend to remain active within the entertainment industry. Each artist plans to forge ahead with individual ventures spanning solo musical projects, high-fashion modelling, and acting.

In their emotional farewell address, DSP Media expressed deep gratitude to the fans who supported the band throughout their unique journey. “Following extensive and heartfelt discussions with the four members, we have mutually agreed that KARD will conclude their remarkable journey with the upcoming album and world tour,” the agency stated. “We are eternally grateful to the fans who have walked alongside KARD for the past ten years. We sincerely hope you will continue to offer your unwavering warmth and encouragement to the members as they embark upon their respective solo careers.”