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Nicole Yongju Jung (; born October 7, 1991), referred to as Nicole, is an American singer. She is a member of South Korean girl group Kara. Her solo debut mini album, First Romance, was released on November 19, 2014.
Jung was on a show called "KAIST" which was renamed to "Nicole The Entertainer's Introduction to Veterinary Science" in Konkuk University. The first episode aired on November 12, 2009. She "graduated" from college in January 2010.
On December 4, 2008, Kara released their 2nd mini-album "Pretty Girl", and in February 2009 came the follow-up album "Honey"; the latter's title track of the same name became the group's first #1 single on music shows when it topped M! Countdown and The Music Trend.[2] In late July 2009, Kara released their second album named "Revolution". Owing to the popularity of the songs "Wanna" and "Mister", the group's overall popularity increased, and they followed with their third mini-album "Lupin".
In August 2010, Kara officially debuted in Japan with a Japanese version of their 2009 Korean single "Mister". After this, Kara released their fourth mini-album Jumping in South Korea in November 2010.
On January 19, 2011, Jung announced, alongside fellow members Kang Jiyoung and Han Seung-yeon, that they were terminating their contract with DSP through court. On April 28, 2011, the dispute between DSP Media and Kara's 3 members was officially announced as resolved.
Jung injured her ankle during Kara's first stand-alone concert in Korea, which was held on February 18, 2012. She was performing a solo performance cover of Michael Jackson's "Beat It", when she hurt her ankle while leaving through a lift. After she got hurt, she did limp a little during performances but she still finished the concert. Afterwards in the dressing room, she received acupuncture for her injury. Despite her injury, she still performed on the very next day. Afterwards, Jung's injury was publicly revealed as she was photographed at airports in a wheelchair. Despite her injury, Nicole still hosted SBS "Inkigayo" with a cast on her leg. Owing to the ankle injury, she was unable to perform in group performance choreography during their Speed Up promotion in Japan from March to April 2012.
Kara has released Kara Collection in 2012, both in South Korea and Japan, an album containing each of the girls' solo songs. Jung's song was "Lost", which featured close friend Jeong Jin-woon.
Jung performed with the group for the last time at the 2013 MBC Gayo Daejejeon on December 31, 2013. The group performed a medley of their past hit singles along with "Damaged Lady", from the group's fourth album Full Bloom.
On October 14, 2014, Jung signed an exclusive contract with B2M Entertainment. The agency revealed, "Following the end of her contract with DSP Media, Nicole is currently preparing for her solo debut after confirming a new agency and completing the contract signing. Nicole's new agency was established by CEO Gil Jong Hwa, who had been with KARA from their debut to their peak. Since their connection under DSP Media, they have maintained close relations with one another."
Jung's solo debut mini album, First Romance was released on November 19, 2014, and the title song MAMA, which was used to promote the mini album. First Romance in November sold 8,754 copies. By the end of 2014, the mini album had sold 10,137 copies.
In December 2015, Jung released news that she would be coming back in Japan with her second Japanese single in 2016. It was revealed that the single would be called "Don't Stop" to be released on February 17. On January 16, she released a short PV version of "Don't Stop"
On March 2, 2016, Jung revealed on her Instagram that she would be releasing her first solo Japanese album, titled Bliss on April 27, 2016. The title track from the album is titled "HAPPY", the PV teaser was released on March 31, 2016. She had her first solo concerts titled "2016 Nicole The 1st Live" spanning two days, April 29, 2016, and May 1, 2016. She end her contract with CJ Victor in 2016 & B2M in 2017. She joined Diamond Music for her Japanese promotions.
In 2020, Jung opened a YouTube channel.
In February 2023, the agency will release a new digital single "Mysterious" which is scheduled for March 9.
In September 2009, Jung was featured in numerous live performances of Mighty mouth single "Love Class". In July 2010, she sang a duet with Park Myung Soo for his single "Whale" (고래).
Jung was a member of "Dazzling Red", one of the idol project groups for the 2012 SBS Korean Music Festival – The Color of K-Pop concert with fellow idols After School's Nana, Hyuna, Jun Hyoseong, and Hyorin. Dazzling Red released a single, "This Person", in December 2012.
Jung was invited to the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards Japan (as the only Korean artist invited that year) on June 22, 2013, and performed her solo song "Lost" from Kara Collection.
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| 2008 | "Kkeun" (끈) | SunHa | Fahrenheit |
| 2010 | "Bingeul Bingeul" (빙글 빙글) | No Brain, Han Seungyeon, Park Gyu-ri | MBC Music Travel Lalala Live Vol.11 |
| 2011 | "Hayangyeoul" | Kang Ji-young, Han Seung-yeon | Immortal Song 2: Christmas Special |
| 2014 | "Chalali Binunmul-e" (차라리 비눈물에) | Jung Il-woo | The Night Watchman OST |
| 2020 | "SYNERGY" (시너지) | Exos Heroes OST |
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| 2014 | Secret Love | Melly |
| 2009 | 3rd Mnet 20's Choice Award Hot New Variety Star | ||
| 2012 | Miss and Mister Idol Korea 2012 | Miss Korea: 2nd Place | |
| 2024 | Weibo Music Awards 2024 | Best Stage Charisma Of The Year | |
| 2024 | Ride The Wind 2024 | Best Stage Of The Year |
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