K-pop co-ed group KARD returned to Singapore after a seven-year absence, bringing their “Now Here” world tour to Sands Theatre on Sept. 27 as fans gathered for what could be one of the group’s most emotional performances in the city.
The quartet — BM, J.seph, Somin and Jiwoo — last performed in Singapore in 2019. Their return gave local fans the chance to see the group perform songs spanning nearly a decade of their career.
The concert opened with “Oh Nana,” the group’s 2016 pre-debut single, before moving through some of KARD’s best-known tracks, including “Don’t Recall,” “Rumour” and “Hola Hola.” More recent releases such as “Red Moon” and “Icky” were also included in the setlist.
The show lasted just under two hours and featured a relatively simple stage setup without costume changes. Instead, the members kept the momentum going through consecutive performances, choreography and frequent interactions with the audience.
For many fans, however, the significance of the Singapore stop went beyond the music.
KARD’s management agency has announced that the group’s exclusive contract with DSP Media will end in December after nine years. The announcement initially raised questions about the group’s future, particularly because the “Now Here” tour is being presented as their final world tour under the current chapter of their career.
The members have nevertheless indicated that the end of their agency contract does not mean the end of KARD.
Jiwoo previously said the four members still want to make music together, although that could happen in a different environment. The group has therefore left open the possibility of continuing their work together even as their relationship with DSP Media changes.
That uncertainty gave the Singapore concert an added emotional layer. During interviews ahead of the show, the members spoke about their nearly decade-long journey and their hopes of remaining a meaningful part of their fans’ lives.
Jiwoo said she hoped KARD would be remembered as a group that represented the brightest days of their fans’ youth, while Somin emphasized how important it was for the members to share the same space with their supporters and enjoy the concert together.
The group also performed material from its first full-length album project, “Where To Now? (Part.2): NOWHERE,” alongside solo songs and longtime fan favourites.
The Singapore performance was held at Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands, with the concert officially scheduled for Sept. 27 at 6pm. Ticket prices ranged from S$98 to S$248, excluding booking fees.
The return was particularly meaningful because Singapore was one of the group’s stops during the earlier stage of its career, before the members spent years building an international following across Asia, Europe and other parts of the world.
For Hidden KARD, the group’s fandom, the Singapore show was therefore both a reunion and a moment of uncertainty. Fans were able to celebrate the music that brought them together while also facing the possibility that the group’s future could look very different after the current tour.
KARD’s seven-year return to Singapore ultimately became more than another stop on a world tour. It was a celebration of the group’s musical journey, its relationship with fans and the possibility that even as one chapter closes, the four members may still find a way to continue making music together.
