KARA 20th

KARA in 2016: Activity Timeline

Explore 21 sourced records of KARA in 2016, including performances, releases and appearances with photographs and date context.

Members and milestonesSouth Korea

Contracts end, and individual activities take the lead

Gyuri, Seungyeon, and Hara's exclusive contracts with DSP Media ended, while Youngji remained with the agency. KARA entered a de facto hiatus, and the members continued their individual activities as singers and actors.

FOREVER KARA — archive of 2010–2015 activities
Release artwork FOREVER KARA — archive of 2010–2015 activitiesOfficial video box released in June 2016 after the contracts ended, collecting 2010–2015 activities; not a photograph from 15 January.Image source store.universal-music.co.jp
Explore the background, music and performances

DSP’s statement confirmed that Gyuri, Seungyeon and Hara’s exclusive contracts ended on January 15, 2016, while Youngji remained. The three chose broader opportunities, and the agency expressed support for their futures. This contractual turning point should be distinguished from the members’ personal bonds.

The following entries trace individual releases including Nicole’s bliss, Jiyoung’s work as JY, Seungyeon’s 宇宙 and Youngji’s Memory Clock. The 2022 official introduction also described this period as an effective hiatus, placing these individual paths within the longer story leading to reunion.

Record highlights

  • Contracts ended: Gyuri, Seungyeon and Hara / January 15, 2016
  • Youngji remained at DSP and continued individual activities
Official material & related visualOfficial 2022 reunion photograph (later record)
YTN coverage of DSP's statement [419] UNIVERSAL MUSIC JAPAN official profile [314]
Announced broadcast dateVideo & mediaJapan

Jiyoung and Maki Horikita on Jiyoung no Kisetsu 1/2

Radio appearancesTOKYO FM / Jiyoung no Kisetsu

KARA members appearing：Jiyoung

Related source publication date：

Jiyoung welcomed her Higanbana co-star Maki Horikita for an interview scheduled across two weeks. The recorded conversation covered their drama set, preparing for roles and staying healthy during filming.

Jiyoung no Kisetsu — guest recording photo
Related photograph Jiyoung no Kisetsu — guest recording photoGuest photograph published in the official report for this appearance.Image source prtimes.jp
TOKYO FM・収録対談と放送日 [420]
Announced broadcast dateVideo & mediaJapan

Jiyoung and Maki Horikita on Jiyoung no Kisetsu 2/2

Radio appearancesTOKYO FM / Jiyoung no Kisetsu

KARA members appearing：Jiyoung

Related source publication date：

Jiyoung welcomed her Higanbana co-star Maki Horikita for an interview scheduled across two weeks. The recorded conversation covered their drama set, preparing for roles and staying healthy during filming.

Jiyoung no Kisetsu — guest recording photo
Related photograph Jiyoung no Kisetsu — guest recording photoGuest photograph published in the official report for this appearance.Image source prtimes.jp
TOKYO FM・収録対談と放送日 [420]
Video & mediaJapan

Jiyoung on Dear Friends

Radio appearancesTOKYO FM / Dear Friends

KARA members appearing：Jiyoung

On the release day of Saigo no Sayonara, JY spoke with Miu Sakamoto about recording a Japanese-language ballad, the repeated takes it required, and her cat Leon.

Dear Friends — guest recording photo
Related photograph Dear Friends — guest recording photoGuest photograph published in the official report for this appearance.Image source tfm.co.jp
TOKYO FM・2016年3月16日放送レポート [421]
Video & mediaJapan

Jiyoung: Film: Assassination Classroom: Graduation / Acting

She reprises Irina in the live-action sequel. With graduation approaching, Class 3-E and Koro-sensei face a defining choice in the time they have left.

Film poster for 暗殺教室 卒業編
Release artwork Film poster for 暗殺教室 卒業編Poster for 暗殺教室 卒業編, published on the corresponding Eiga.com film-poster page.Image source eiga.com
Read activity details and sources

She reprises Irina as the film series brings Class 3-E’s story to its conclusion. Director Eiichiro Hasumi and screenwriter Tatsuya Kanazawa also return, preserving continuity alongside Ryosuke Yamada and the student cast. This sequel opened separately on March 25, 2016.

Record highlights

  • Japan release: 2016-03-25
  • Contribution: Acting
  • Role / song: Irina Jelavić
  • Returning role from the first film: Irina
Official material & related visualRead event information and related sources
映画.com・作品情報と本人クレジット [422] 製作フジテレビ・作品紹介 [423] フジテレビ国際版・公開日 [424]
Video & mediaSouth Korea

Gyuri on Park Sun-young’s Cinetown

Radio appearancesSBS / Park Sun-young’s Cinetown

KARA members appearing：Gyuri

Related source publication date：

Gyuri discussed her acting work and recalled being the only lightly dressed cast member while filming in freezing weather.

Park Sun-young’s Cinetown: official radio video thumbnail
Related photograph Park Sun-young’s Cinetown: official radio video thumbnailOfficial video thumbnail for this broadcast, showing programme footage or the broadcaster’s edited composite.Image source youtube.com
SBS Radio 에라오／[SBS]박선영의씨네타운,박규리, "추운 영하 날씨에 나만 얇은 옷, 억울했다" [425]
Film release / airing announcementVideo & mediaSouth Korea

Seungyeon’s L’Occitane campaign film

Seungyeon appeared in L’Occitane’s Shea Comforting Cream campaign. The brand introduced a 19-second film and a longer version on April 15, announcing cable-TV and online distribution.

Seungyeon at the L’Occitane campaign shoot
Related photograph Seungyeon at the L’Occitane campaign shootPhotograph from the shoot supplied by the advertiser.Image source newswire.co.kr
Read activity details and sources

The advertiser supplied an image from the shoot, with white clothing and the cream in hand. This records Seungyeon’s individual brand activity during the group’s hiatus rather than a full-group endorsement.

The date is the brand’s film-release and airing announcement, not a log of every broadcast slot or first observed transmission.

Record highlights

  • L’OCCITANE / TV commercial
  • Featured members: Seungyeon
Official material & related visualRead event information and related sources
ロクシタン公式／ニュースワイヤー配信 [426]
Video publication dateVideo & mediaJapan

Nicole: Korepo message for the release of bliss

Online programmesKOREPO テレビ / KOREPO テレビ appearance coverage

KARA members appearing：Nicole

publishing channels：KOREPO テレビ

Watch the official video

KOREPO テレビ documents Nicole in Korepo message for the release of bliss. The entry uses the video release date.

KOREPO テレビ official video thumbnail
Related photograph KOREPO テレビ official video thumbnailOfficial thumbnail of the video documenting this appearance. Publication dates are distinguished from actual appearance dates.Image source youtube.com
KOREPO テレビ・公式YouTube動画 [427]
Music and releasesJapan

Nicole's first Japanese album, bliss

Nicole released her first solo album in Japan, bliss. Featuring “Something Special,” “DON’T STOP,” and other songs, it expanded her musical expression as a solo singer beyond her work with KARA.

Nicole / Bliss
Release artwork Nicole / BlissCover artwork for this release or concert videoImage source ℗ Victor Entertainment
Explore the background, music and performances

After Something Special in June 2015 and DON’T STOP in February 2016, Nicole reached her first Japanese solo album. Tracks including Precious Time, HAPPY and LUNAR broadened the picture beyond her singles, presenting a fuller collection of her solo music.

Her first Japanese solo album has 13 tracks, including MAMA-Japanese Ver.-. The original release was April 27, 2016; the digital edition followed November 1, 2017.

Record highlights

  • First Japanese solo album: April 27, 2016
  • Victor’s digital edition: 13 tracks, including MAMA in Japanese
Official material & related visualOfficial artwork and release information
Nicole official discography [428] Victor release information [429]
Video publication dateVideo & mediaJapan

Jiyoung: Meet-and-greet for second photobook Gently

Online programmesMANTAN TV / MANTAN TV appearance coverage

KARA members appearing：Jiyoung

publishing channels：MANTAN TV

Watch the official video

MANTAN TV documents Jiyoung in Meet-and-greet for second photobook Gently. The entry uses the video release date.

MANTAN TV official video thumbnail
Related photograph MANTAN TV official video thumbnailOfficial thumbnail of the video documenting this appearance. Publication dates are distinguished from actual appearance dates.Image source youtube.com
MANTAN TV・公式YouTube動画 [430]
Video & mediaJapan

FOREVER KARA collects the 2010–2015 video era

The eight-disc FOREVER KARA Blu-ray box assembled five Japanese concert releases from 2012–2015, Korean and Japanese music videos, and KAMILIA-meeting and behind-the-scenes footage, preserving this period during the group’s hiatus.

FOREVER KARA — archive of 2010–2015 activities
Release artwork FOREVER KARA — archive of 2010–2015 activitiesCover or product artwork for the related release, not an event-day photograph.Image source store.universal-music.co.jp
UNIVERSAL MUSIC JAPAN・公式作品情報 [398]
Video & mediaJapan

Jiyoung: Film: Zenin, Kataomoi — Unrequited Love / Acting

She leads Kataomoi Spiral, one of eight short stories in this anthology. She plays Korean exchange student Soyeon opposite Aimi Satsukawa and TAKUYA.

Film poster for 全員、片想い
Release artwork Film poster for 全員、片想いPoster for 全員、片想い, published on the corresponding Eiga.com film-poster page.Image source eiga.com
Read activity details and sources

Soyeon is a Korean exchange student who lives as a man and has feelings for Yuki, played by Aimi Satsukawa. In interviews Jiyoung discusses expressing internal conflict and sadness behind a smile rather than the broad physical action of Assassination Classroom. Keinosuke Hara’s segment foregrounds emotion conveyed through expressions.

Record highlights

  • Japan release: 2016-07-02
  • Contribution: Acting
  • Role / song: Soyeon in the segment Kataomoi Spiral
  • Segment: Kataomoi Spiral / director: Keinosuke Hara
Official material & related visualRead event information and related sources
映画.com・作品情報と本人クレジット [431] 東映ビデオ・短編別出演クレジット [432] 本人インタビュー・役名と公開日 [433]
Video publication dateVideo & mediaJapan

Gyuri: Two Rooms, Two Nights cast comments

Online programmesoricon / oricon appearance coverage

KARA members appearing：Gyuri

publishing channels：oricon

Watch the official videoRelated official video · moviecollectionjp：KARAギュリ×キム・ジェウク出演／映画『2つの恋愛』出演者コメント映像

oricon documents Gyuri in Two Rooms, Two Nights cast comments. The entry uses the video release date.

oricon official video thumbnail
Related photograph oricon official video thumbnailOfficial thumbnail of the video documenting this appearance. Publication dates are distinguished from actual appearance dates.Image source youtube.com
oricon・公式YouTube動画 [434] moviecollectionjp・公式YouTube動画 [435]
Video publication dateVideo & mediaJapan

Jiyoung: Gently exhibition talk show

Online programmesoricon / oricon appearance coverage

KARA members appearing：Jiyoung

publishing channels：oricon

Watch the official video

oricon documents Jiyoung in Gently exhibition talk show. The entry uses the video release date.

oricon official video thumbnail
Related photograph oricon official video thumbnailOfficial thumbnail of the video documenting this appearance. Publication dates are distinguished from actual appearance dates.Image source youtube.com
oricon・公式YouTube動画 [436]
Video publication dateVideo & mediaJapan

Youngji: Special comment on summer beauty routines

Online programmesMANTAN TV / MANTAN TV appearance coverage

KARA members appearing：Youngji

publishing channels：MANTAN TV

Watch the official video

MANTAN TV documents Youngji in Special comment on summer beauty routines. The entry uses the video release date.

MANTAN TV official video thumbnail
Related photograph MANTAN TV official video thumbnailOfficial thumbnail of the video documenting this appearance. Publication dates are distinguished from actual appearance dates.Image source youtube.com
MANTAN TV・公式YouTube動画 [437]
Video publication dateVideo & mediaJapan

Jiyoung: Sweet Charity musical production announcement

Online programmesoricon / oricon appearance coverage

KARA members appearing：Jiyoung

publishing channels：oricon

Watch the official videoRelated official video · モデルプレス | modelpress：知英、“夢”だった初挑戦に本音吐露「不安で倒れるんじゃないか」

oricon documents Jiyoung in Sweet Charity musical production announcement. The entry uses the video release date.

oricon official video thumbnail
Related photograph oricon official video thumbnailOfficial thumbnail of the video documenting this appearance. Publication dates are distinguished from actual appearance dates.Image source youtube.com
oricon・公式YouTube動画 [438] モデルプレス | modelpress・公式YouTube動画 [439]
Music and releasesJapan

JY releases “Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto”

Jiyoung, who continued acting under the name 知英, released her second single, “Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto,” as singer JY. It was the theme song for Fuji TV's Monday-night drama of the same name, as she pursued both music and acting in Japan.

JY / Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto - EP
Release artwork JY / Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto - EPCover artwork for this release or concert videoImage source ℗ 2016 Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.
Explore the background, music and performances

The theme for the same-titled Monday-night drama began with an existing demo rather than a song commissioned specifically for the series. Katsuhiko Yamamoto composed it and JY helped write the lyrics. The label described repeated revisions to encourage people starting again after setbacks in love, work or life.

Mika Ninagawa directed the video and photographed the cover. Filming in Guam in late May used seven settings, including a chapel, the sea and shopping scenes, with six outfits. The project brought together the expressive work of actress Jiyoung and the voice she was developing as JY.

Record highlights

  • Composer: Katsuhiko Yamamoto / lyrics co-written by JY
  • Video director and cover photographer: Mika Ninagawa / location: Guam
Official material & related visualOfficial artwork and release information
Sony Music release information [440] prtimes.jp [441]
Video publication dateVideo & mediaJapan

Jiyoung: Sweet Charity dress rehearsal and press conference

Online programmesoricon / oricon appearance coverage

KARA members appearing：Jiyoung

publishing channels：oricon

Watch the official videoRelated official video · MANTAN TV：知英が初舞台・初主演　共演者からも絶賛の声　主演ミュージカル「スウィート・チャリティ」ゲネプロ会見1 Related official video · MANTAN TV：知英、初舞台・初主演に「まだ夢みたい」　ミュージカル「スウィート・チャリティ」会見2

oricon documents Jiyoung in Sweet Charity dress rehearsal and press conference. The entry uses the video release date.

oricon official video thumbnail
Related photograph oricon official video thumbnailOfficial thumbnail of the video documenting this appearance. Publication dates are distinguished from actual appearance dates.Image source youtube.com
oricon・公式YouTube動画 [442] MANTAN TV・公式YouTube動画 [443] MANTAN TV・公式YouTube動画 [444]
Video publication dateVideo & mediaJapan

Jiyoung: THE FIRST STAGE photobook launch press conference

Online programmesoricon / oricon appearance coverage

KARA members appearing：Jiyoung

publishing channels：oricon

Watch the official videoRelated official video · MANTAN TV：知英、透け感ブラウス×デニムの超ミニスカで可愛らしく　フォトブック「THE FIRST STAGE」会見1 Related official video · MANTAN TV：知英、紅白出場に意欲「出してくれますかね？」　フォトブック「THE FIRST STAGE」会見2 Related official video · モデルプレス | modelpress：知英、ミニスカ秋服コーデで美脚披露「ちょっと恥ずかしい・・・」

oricon documents Jiyoung in THE FIRST STAGE photobook launch press conference. The entry uses the video release date.

oricon official video thumbnail
Related photograph oricon official video thumbnailOfficial thumbnail of the video documenting this appearance. Publication dates are distinguished from actual appearance dates.Image source youtube.com
oricon・公式YouTube動画 [445] MANTAN TV・公式YouTube動画 [446] MANTAN TV・公式YouTube動画 [447] モデルプレス | modelpress・公式YouTube動画 [448]
Video publication dateVideo & mediaJapan

Jiyoung: Comment on modelpress Next Artist Award

Online programmesモデルプレス | modelpress / モデルプレス | modelpress appearance coverage

KARA members appearing：Jiyoung

publishing channels：モデルプレス | modelpress

Watch the official video

モデルプレス | modelpress documents Jiyoung in Comment on modelpress Next Artist Award. The entry uses the video release date.

モデルプレス | modelpress official video thumbnail
Related photograph モデルプレス | modelpress official video thumbnailOfficial thumbnail of the video documenting this appearance. Publication dates are distinguished from actual appearance dates.Image source youtube.com
モデルプレス | modelpress・公式YouTube動画 [449]
Video & mediaJapan

Jiyoung on AVALON

Radio appearancesJ-WAVE / AVALON

KARA members appearing：Jiyoung

Related source publication date：

JY joined Shinnosuke Mitsushima’s Wednesday AVALON to discuss when dating becomes a relationship. She compared attitudes in Japan and Korea and described listening to friends’ relationship concerns.

AVALON — guest recording photo
Related photograph AVALON — guest recording photoGuest photograph published in the official report for this appearance.Image source news.j-wave.co.jp
J-WAVE・12月7日放送レポート [450]

Sources for this page

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  20. [436] oricon・公式YouTube動画https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGsTj97DuGA
  21. [437] MANTAN TV・公式YouTube動画https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSx-_tbl-4
  22. [438] oricon・公式YouTube動画https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTWR6j59slg
  23. [439] モデルプレス | modelpress・公式YouTube動画https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WxUzpZAbCo
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  27. [443] MANTAN TV・公式YouTube動画https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p85lcQd-rx0
  28. [444] MANTAN TV・公式YouTube動画https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyDYCbkE1dI
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  33. [449] モデルプレス | modelpress・公式YouTube動画https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfQzwfJ6464
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