Co-Ed K-pop group KARD announce disbandment following first full-length album and farewell world tour

DSP Media announced that the 4-member group had mutually agreed to conclude its activities after nearly a decade

K-pop group KARD will officially disband after the release of their first full-length studio album and the conclusion of their ongoing world tour, bringing an end to nearly a decade as one of the industry's few mixed-gender idol groups.

DSP Media announced on July 6 that the four-member group had mutually agreed to conclude its activities following the release of Where To Now? (Part.2): NOWHERE and the completion of the DRIFT World Tour.

In a statement, the agency said, "After careful and thoughtful discussions with all four members, we have mutually agreed that this album and tour will mark the conclusion of KARD’s journey as a group.

"The members have poured their hearts into preparing this album and tour, and we sincerely hope these final activities will become cherished memories for HIDDEN KARD. We kindly ask for your continued love and support until the very end as KARD shares one final chapter with you in the way only they can."

The announcement surprised fans as the group is currently touring. The DRIFT World Tour began with performances in Tokyo on July 4 and will continue across Europe, including Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and Bulgaria, before concluding with additional dates in Asia, including Jakarta.

KARD's farewell album, Where To Now? (Part.2): NOWHERE, will be released on July 28. It is both the group's first and only full-length studio album, following a career built largely on mini albums and EPs since their debut in 2017.

Comprising BM, J.Seph, Somin and Jiwoo, KARD stood apart in the modern K-pop industry as a mixed-gender group at a time when most idol acts were exclusively male or female.

Reflecting on the group's early years, J.Seph told Billboard in 2018, "Honestly, at first when I was told that I was going to be in a co-ed group I was against the idea because of stigma and the difficulties that we’d have to overcome.

"But from the moment I began facing the idea, I decided to overcome those thoughts and I instead became eager to show people that a co-ed group can exist as a team and there are no differences to any other bands."

During its 9-year career, KARD built a dedicated international fanbase, particularly in Latin America, while establishing a distinctive sound that blended dance-pop and deep house influences.