Ji-young from KARA Looks More Vibrant in Return to Japan After 9 Years Despite Dark History
The five-member K-pop girl group KARA held their first concert in Japan in nine years at LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY in Funabashi, Chiba, on August 17 and 18. Celebrating their 15th anniversary this year, KARA performed a total of 25 songs, including their new track “I Do I Do,” released on July 24, and the hit song “Mister.”
Member Ji-young (30) greeted the audience by saying, “It’s hot, isn’t it? I can really feel your amazing reaction, so let’s make it the best day.” She also performed the theme song “Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto,” from the July 2016 Fuji TV Monday 9 p.m. drama, released under her solo artist name JY.
“Ji-young left KARA in April 2014 after completing her exclusive contract with the agency, but she made a comeback and became a topic of conversation when the group resumed activities in 2022. During this tour, she seemed quite happy standing on the same stage with the members with whom she shared both hardships and joys. When she was active in Japan, her smile gradually disappeared due to her intense schedule, but she seemed like a different person from those days” (music industry insider).
After leaving KARA in 2014, Ji-young stayed in the UK. However, the powerful female president of the Japanese major talent agency “Sweet Power” flew to the UK to scout her. From August 2014, she joined the agency, changed her name to “Ji-young,” and began her entertainment activities in Japan.
