Full Breakdown
KARD to Disband After First Full-Length Album and Farewell World Tour
7/6/2026, 12:22:54 PM
Final Announcement: Disbandment Linked to Album and Tour
On 6 July 2026, DSP Media confirmed that KARD will cease group activities after releasing their first studio album, “Where To Now? (Part 2): NOWHERE,” on 28 July 2026 (18:00 KST) and completing the ongoing DRIFT World Tour. The agency described the album and tour as the “final chapter” of the quartet’s nine-year career.
Nine-Year Journey and Co-Ed Milestone
KARD debuted on 19 July 2017 with the single “Oh NaNa,” quickly standing out as one of the few successful co-ed K-pop groups. Over nearly a decade they issued only mini-albums and EPs, earned hits such as “Hola Hola,” “Don’t Recall,” and “RUMOR,” and won the AAA Best Musician award at the 2023 Asia Artist Awards in the Philippines.
Members of KARD
- BM (??) – vocalist/rapper
- J.Seph (???) – vocalist/rapper
- Somin (??) – vocalist/dancer
- Jiwoo (??) – vocalist/dancer
All four participated in the decision to end group activities.
Timeline of the Farewell Cycle
- 6 July 2026 – DSP Media releases disbandment announcement.
- 4 July 2026 – DRIFT World Tour kicks off in Tokyo, Japan.
- 19 July 2026 – Group’s 9th anniversary.
- 28 July 2026 – Release of “Where To Now? (Part 2): NOWHERE.”
- Early September 2026 – European leg begins, covering Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, Bulgaria.
- Late 2026 – Additional Asian stops, including Jakarta, conclude the tour across three continents.
Official Statements & Agency Response
DSP Media said the decision resulted from “extensive discussions with all four members” and that the album and tour will serve as KARD’s “final promotions.” The agency thanked the fandom HIDDEN KARD for long-term support and asked fans to continue encouraging the members as they pursue individual careers.
Fan Reaction and Criticism
Social-media commentary reflected disappointment at the timing, noting the group was mid-tour and had just celebrated its ninth anniversary. Some fans expressed surprise given prior hints that members might leave the agency, while many reiterated support for the members’ next steps and praised the transparency of the announcement.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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.” — DSP Media statement
- “After releasing their first full album 'Where To Now? (Part.2) : NOWHERE' on the 28th, KARD will embark on a world tour. Following careful discussions among all four members, it has been decided to conclude KARD's journey after this activity cycle.” — DSP Media SNS post
- “We hope the album and world tour, prepared with all the members’ hearts, will remain precious memories for HIDDEN KARD.” — DSP Media press release
- “We kindly request your continued interest in this final chapter, which will be filled with the most KARD-like moments until the very end,” — DSP Media announcement
Impact and Future Paths
KARD’s disbandment underscores the rarity of long-standing co-ed groups in the K-pop industry and marks the end of a distinctive musical blend of EDM, tropical house, and Latin-inspired pop. DSP Media confirmed that each member will now focus on solo activities, whether in music, acting, or other entertainment fields, while the farewell tour is positioned as a celebration of their nine-year legacy.
