KARD Announces Final Comeback and Disbandment After Nine Years of Activities

On July 6, DSP Media announced that co-ed group KARD will release their first and final full-length studio album, Where To Now? (Part.2: NOWHERE) on July 28, 2026. The album release will be followed by a final world tour, with both being positioned as farewell activities for the group.

DSP Media expressed that the decision to disband KARD was made after “thoughtful discussions with the members,” and that they “hope the new album and tour become treasured memories” after nine years of group activities. The statement continued to hint at possible individual plans for the members, asking fans – known as HIDDEN KARD – “to continue to support and encourage each member as they begin the next chapter of their individual careers.”

HIDDEN KARD have rallied behind the group as requested, as have many fans in the wider K-pop community who have witnessed previous promotions from the group over the years. However, this has prompted a bittersweet response from the members themselves, with BM sharing his shock over the attention that the news of their disbandment is getting online during a livestream – and that it is receiving more attention than their new album and previous releases. This sparks commentary over a possible hypocrisy from many fans in their treatment of groups following a disbandment announcement.

While KARD were a pioneering force as a rare co-ed group upon their debut in 2017, and have seen success across several exclusive tours and with songs like “ICKY” and “CAKE,” it took seven years for KARD to breach the 100,000 mark for overall album sales. According to the Circle chart, sales have been declining since 2022. The number of responses to news of KARD’s disbandment have surpassed these figures, with thousands expressing sadness and showing support despite evidence that not all had previously supported the group.

In an industry seemingly full of disbandments in recent years, from PURPLE KISS to ARrC to KARD, as well as individual member departures, a pattern is emerging. While K-pop fans wish for these groups to continue, an oversaturated market means that they are unable to consistently get behind every artist. If this continues, many groups who remain household names but struggle to achieve virality risk facing similar issues.

WINWIN Departs From NCT and WayV

On July 8, SM Entertainment announced that original NCT member WINWIN has chosen not to renew his exclusive contract with the label. After ten years of activities across NCT 127, NCT U, and WayV, WINWIN has become the latest member to step away from NCT as a whole following previous, similar announcements from TEN, Mark, and Lucas in April 2026.

WINWIN debuted as an original member of NCT 127 in July 2016 as one of the group’s lead dancers. He went on to participate in six comebacks with NCT 127, before stepping away from the group in 2018 following several absences. In January 2019, he re-debuted in NCT’s Chinese subunit, WayV, where he played a more prominent role and received more lines and screentime while showcasing his skill in traditional Chinese dance.

However, WINWIN has been sporadically absent from WayV and activities as part of the larger NCT U since 2021. He began to establish an acting career in China, filming for his first, supporting role in historical fantasy drama Snow Fall from October 2021 to January 2022. This progressed into variety show appearances, and his first male lead role in the modern romance series Sweet Games in 2023. He successfully transitioned from being a K-pop idol to a popular actor in China, leaving NCT activities behind.

His departure from the group is not unexpected, given his move into acting. On the other hand, it becomes significant when placed in the series of departures from NCT. Lucas formally departed from SM in April 2026, following an extended absence from NCT similar to WINWIN’s. TEN concluded his contracts with SM Entertainment in the same month, but indicated that he will collaborate with NCT as needed. The news of Mark’s departure from the group shortly afterwards came as a particular shock, as he left the group entirely with no further plans involving NCT.

As more original members move on, a decade-long journey is coming to an end for many of its members – and with it, the group’s structure is changing. There is a stark variation in the approaches of each member, with mixed plans over how strict their separation from NCT’s activities will be in the face of solo careers across music and acting. This leaves the future of NCT unpredictable.

AI Logo Spotted in Red Velvet Comeback Teaser

The announcement of Red Velvet’s summer comeback promotions have received mixed responses from fans, after an AI watermark has been spotted in the schedule poster released on July 7. The poster, a collection of blue tiles with summer-themed graphics, was immediately under suspicion for its unnatural texture – before a fan recognised the transparent Google Gemini watermark in one of the corners.

The discovery created a division between fans online. Some, acknowledging that the release of Velvet Summer is Red Velvet’s first comeback as a complete group since 2024, viewed the AI imagery as a lack of investment amidst complaints about the wait for group activities. Many listed ethical concerns over the environmental debates surrounding generative AI and its non-concensual use of authentic artwork. Others found no issue with its usage, claiming that AI is becoming more common in the K-pop industry and encouraging the harnessing of AI tools as a new technological development.

Debates continue as it adds to an ever-growing conversation taking place in the industry as a whole. Several groups have been subject to similar, mixed complaint and support over AI usage, such as Billlie, SEVENTEEN and Stray Kids, from merch releases to album teasers and trailers. 

Companies continue to use the tools despite this, but so long as generative AI remains contested, its usage also comes with a level of risk; will the strong morals of some fans outweigh their desire to support their favourite artists? At what stage will AI technology become indistinguishable from regular artwork, and how will this change the K-pop landscape?