KARD’s Bittersweet Farewell: A Decade of Impact
Seoul – For many K-pop groups, a first full-length album marks a thrilling new beginning. But for KARD, it signals a bittersweet farewell, marking the end of an incredible journey that spanned nearly a decade. The beloved four-member mixed-gender group, known for their unique sound and global reach, officially released their debut studio album, *Where To Now? (Part.2): Nowhere*, on July 28. This significant release is swiftly followed by their emotional farewell “Now Here” world tour.
“Now Here” Tour & The Album’s Deeper Message
The highly anticipated tour kicks off in Seoul on August 8, before taking KARD across the globe to meet their dedicated fans. Stops include major cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, Brussels, Lisbon, Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, London, Sofia, Athens, and a much-anticipated performance in Singapore. KARD are set to perform at Sands Theatre in Singapore on September 27, promising an unforgettable experience for their BMs and Hidden KARDs.
Following this extensive tour, the quartet will embark on individual journeys, bringing a temporary halt to one of K-pop’s longest-running and most influential mixed-gender acts. This album serves as both a reflection on their path and a hopeful farewell. While the title concludes the narrative first hinted at with 2025’s *Where To Now? (Part.1: Yellow Light)*, the members emphasize that its core message transcends mere destinations, focusing instead on appreciating the journey itself.
“As artistes entering our 10th year, perspective is incredibly important,” shared Korean-American rapper BM, 33, during a recent roundtable interview in Seoul on July 21. “What’s more important than where you are is who you’re with. People often focus too much on distant goals, and the farther away what you want seems, the harder life becomes. But if you change your perspective, your life can change surprisingly easily. That’s the message we wanted to convey.”
The powerful 10-track album features the poignant main song “Back To Life,” alongside four new group songs and four previously released solo tracks by each talented member. BM took the lead in overseeing the album’s production, while all four members poured their hearts into writing the lyrics for both “Back To Life” and the dedicated fan song “Always.”
Not a Breakup, But a Chance to Grow
Despite the album being KARD’s final group project for now, the members revealed they didn’t initially approach it as a farewell. “We didn’t make this album thinking it would be our last,” South Korean rapper J.Seph, 34, explained. “As our contracts were nearing their end, we worked on the songs and gradually realised this might end up being our final album.”
Rather than framing their decision as a definitive break-up, the members view it as a valuable opportunity for individual growth, with the hopeful possibility of a reunion in the future. “We’ve all done our best, and we’ve seen what those efforts have achieved,” BM affirmed. “At this point, each of us has a chance to grow further and spread our wings somewhere new. If we gain those experiences, I think we’ll be able to come back together later and create even better work with even greater synergy.” South Korean singer Somin, 29, echoed this sentiment, adding, “We’ve seen senior groups take a break and come back together later. We’d appreciate it if fans could think of us the same way.”
KARD’s Enduring Legacy and Domestic Regrets
KARD carved a unique path, debuting at a time when mixed-gender idol groups had become a rarity in the K-pop industry. Even before their official debut, the group garnered significant international attention with their project singles and quickly embarked on successful tours across North and South America. Overseas touring became the very cornerstone of their career, particularly resonating with fans in Latin America and Europe, even as domestic recognition in South Korea remained comparatively limited.
Somin proudly noted KARD’s role in pioneering trends that later became more widespread in K-pop. “There weren’t many groups using moombahton or tropical sounds when we debuted, but now there are quite a few,” she pointed out. “There also weren’t many artistes touring internationally back then. Now, many more K-pop artistes have opportunities to meet fans around the world. I also think it’s encouraging that perceptions of co-ed groups have become more positive. I’d say we had a positive influence.”
However, the members openly admitted that their domestic career remains one of their biggest regrets. “I still feel it’s unfortunate,” South Korean singer Jiwoo, 29, confessed. “Building recognition in South Korea was always our biggest challenge and we worked hard to overcome it, but it didn’t always go the way we wanted. Whenever we returned from overseas tours, we had very few engagements in South Korea. Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if we’d been able to promote here more actively during those times.”
Cherishing the Final Chapter and Future Hopes
Despite this, none of the members expressed regret over the unique and impactful path KARD ultimately chose. For now, their collective focus remains on cherishing every moment and making the absolute most of their remaining time together as a group. “We’re filming a lot of content and trying to hold as many fan-signing events as possible,” Somin shared. “We want to spend a great final chapter with our fans.”
And what if their final album *Where To Now? (Part.2): Nowhere* exceeds all expectations and becomes an unprecedented success? Could that change their plans? “Of course,” Somin replied without hesitation. “One hundred per cent,” J.Seph emphatically added, leaving a glimmer of hope for fans worldwide.
Book it/KARD 2026 World Tour Now Here In Singapore
Where: Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue
When: Sept 27, 6pm
Admission: $98 to $248 from Marina Bay Sands, Sistic and Klook
