I'm conflicted..... What are your thoughts on Youngji not being included in the KARA reunion?

[SLY]

So just a few hours ago, Gyuri posted these photos on her IG. According to her caption, the four members met up a few days ago to celebrate KARA's anniversary. To give a little background, KARA debuted in March 29, 2007 with the original lineup: Gyuri, Seungyeon, Nicole, and Sunghee. Sunghee left then Jiyoung and Hara got added. Soon after, Jiyoung and Nicole left then Youngji joined the group. After having two more comebacks as KARA, the group officially disbanded.

As a Kamilia, I am very happy to see the girls together... It's really sad how Hara is no longer with us but the girls of course did not forget to mention her, Gyuri even said that they should just think that Hara isn't able to come because of Covid regulations restricting meetings of more than four people.

However, as I was browsing through Twitter and SNS, I have seen quite a few posts mentioning member Youngji. As a matter of fact, when I typed in "kara" on Twitter's search bar, the term "kara youngji" is at the top. Aside from comments congratulating them for their anniversary and remembering Goo Hara, there are quite a lot of people looking for Youngji. There were also some speculations about the situation: Youngji wasn't able to come because of busy schedule, Youngji did not come on purpose, or Youngji just wasn't invited at all.

Actually, I am very conflicted with this. It is a fact that Youngji is a KARA member too and if they are celebrating their debut date with Jiyoung (who didn't debut on March 2007), Youngji could have been there too. However, I also do understand why Youngji isn't there, the second lineup of KARA is undoubtedly when the group is at its peak and their relationship with each other is almost like they're blood-related. They were together for 5 years compared to Youngji's 2 years. But then again, it really leaves a bad taste or a sense of regret that Youngji wasn't there at all and is not even mentioned. By the way, some would think that the other members are distant from Youngji who was only part of them for 2 years but Youngji actually is at least pretty close with the other members, in an interview back in December 2020, Youngji said she went to Seungyeon's house to hang out. On Instagram, they're also following one another.

As I was very conflicted (I still am), I pictured it as a group of friends in high school.

Gyuri, Nicole, and Seungyeon are friends since the 1st year. They befriended Jiyoung and Hara who transferred during the 2nd year. Jiyoung and Nicole transferred out on the 3rd year but you transferred that year and joined Gyuri, Seungyeon, and Hara's group of friends. (Putting in thought that Hara is still with them) The group of friends had a celebration BUT you (Youngji) aren't invited/with them.

I said I imagined it like that because I was conflicted but IT DID NOT HELP AT ALL. Yes, it will be awkward for Youngji to be there because she doesn't share the same bond and have the same memories with the others BUT she herself has her own memories with the members of KARA. I don't know, maybe I'm being terribly conflicted because I saw how hard Youngji worked to be part and keep up with the other members yet at the same time I know how awkward it'll be if I was at her place...

IN CONCLUSION, I'll just feign ignorance and believe that they invited Youngji but Youngji was very busy.

I'm having difficulties in thinking straight rn because I'm sooooo sleepy and I haven't slept for more than 28 hours but I'm in the middle of a webinar I don't have any interest about yet I need that damn certificate so here I am writing this. What are your thoughts?

[Hizu]

To be honest, I even forgot Youngji was part of Kara when I saw those pictures. I feel bad now.

[Ghosty]

I am pretty conflicted about it as well... especially since Youngji treasures Kara so deeply in her heart. I remember even a few years after they disbanded, she still introduced herself as Kara's Youngji on variety shows. Not to mention, it would've also been pretty awkward since I don't think Youngji has interacted with Nicole and Jiyoung (or have they, idk). I don't think the girls did it with malice intent though. I'm just gonna be like you and hope that Youngji was too busy to come...

[eunheart]

24 minutes ago, SLY said:

believe that they invited Youngji but Youngji was very busy.

I'd like to believe on this too. Maybe she turned down their offer instead of them not inviting her. But I reserve my judgement since we never know the relationship between the members. Who knows they might actually face time with her but it was never highlighted- so yeah

[Guest]

hara and jiyoung were in the group for 5/6 years compared to youngji's 1 year 1/2... im not surprised shes not there lol

[pinkpanda_spirit]

I used to be a huge kamilia so I get what you're trying to say. I also feel like it's not very nice of them to ditch youngji like that. 

But tbh when people think of KARA they still think of OT5 even if it was not the og lineup but because kara hit big when it was OT5. And they spent more time as OT5 as with youngji... so maybe they wanted to be with their longtime members for the reunion.

Also there is no doubt gyuri, seungyeon and hara are closer with jiyoung and nicole than with youngji. If you watch their youtube channels you can see that the members often meet sans youngji so it looks like they were just business partners... I don't blame them tbh. But if youngji saw them as her close friends and wanted to keep contact with them then yeah it's sad.

PS: just read all the OP and looks like we share the same thoughts lol I wrote my post before finishing reading

[UMJI MOODS]

As you said apparently pandemic rules prevent more than four people from gathering.So if 5 members gathered it would have flouted regulations which would have caused them a lot of grief from Knetz. There are other possible causes for Youngji to be absent as you stated. Also I have seen almost no comments on the absence of Sunghee whom you at least mentioned. That even four of them are together in on place should really be a cause for celebration. 

[GetRapper]

Maybe she took the pic!

Seriously, it's known that Seungyeon and Youngji are close like you said, I hope it's that she's not available.

[Your Biggest Fan]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who wondered where she was. But I do believe there was no malicious intent in her absence. Like everyone said before that she has her own schedule and could've been busy; plus covid regulations.

[BlueVapor]

I think she likely wasn't invited, but I doubt it was with malicious intent. KARA worked their way to the top and achieved all of their biggest accomplishments as 5 members. Nicole and Jiyoung were around for like, what 5-6 years while Youngji only had 1 1/2 years. I always wonder if the members ever wanted Youngji added, and not just her personally, but anyone added, or if they would've just preferred to go on as 3 after Jiyoung and Nicole left. I think in the end, when people think KARA they think the 5 member lineup, so I think that's all there is to it. It's also natural that these girls are closer than they would be with Youngji due to the number of years together and such.

However, when Gyuri posted those pics on instagram, she followed Seungyeon, Nicole, Jiyoung AND Youngji on instagram as well (Seungyeon has always followed Youngji), so there's that too!

[lighterxx]

yeah i get your feelings, i will just say they are mature women, i doubt anything malicious was ever intended. Maybe Youngji had a schedule, maybe this meeting was sudden, maybe they forgot, who knows 

[Guest]

I had the same thoughts, but didnt know what to comment

[Thigh-high feminist]

3 hours ago, Hizu said:

To be honest, I even forgot Youngji was part of Kara when I saw those pictures. I feel bad now.

This is me. I full out forgot about her and I feel bad for her for not being at the reunion for whatever reason.

[abra]

There are many reasons why she wouldn't be there. 

1) They can't meet more than 4 people due to regulations

2) She's never met Jiyoung or Nicole so it would be awkward

3) She was only in the group for a short time

4) OT5 is the longest-lasting lineup and the one everyone thinks of

5) Maybe she was also busy

 

She also has no real connection to Kara's debut anniversary so I think it would be more likely that she would meet Gyuri and Seungyeon some other time. 

It was probably even a little bit weird for Jiyoung but at least she has celebrated KARA's anniversary many times before and she joined the group soon after debut. You could even say that Sunghee should be there since she debuted with them but that would probably be just as awkward as Youngji since she left early.

[crystalblues]

3 hours ago, Hizu said:

To be honest, I even forgot Youngji was part of Kara when I saw those pictures. I feel bad now.

Me too for a second because her solo activities are what I know her more for because DSP stays mistreating her. 

[CLCBunnyBanana]

Nice to see one of my fav groups having reunion, it feels like Mister was just yesterday 

[JNT-LEGGO]

I wouldn't look too deep into it because there's one person who obviously can't be there anyway. At this point, they should just do whatever they feel comfortable with. Even if Youngji truly wasn't invited, I think everybody can understand and respect why.

And let's not forget Seunghee lol, she wasn't there either. So it's not like Youngji's alone in that regard.

Edited April 8, 2021 by JNT-LEGGO

[Hopkinz]

It's probably not that deep, but I am a little sad that she wasn't there

[Youahaen]

Yeah, I felt conflicted as well. Confused. I don't know whether to be happy or not. I hope the reason is  that Youngji is probably busy.

[wolflingabout]

What is youngji even doing these days, feel like I haven't heard anything for years

[satoori]

yea i basically agree with everything @abra said.

 

[Mami3chan]

do they even have youngji's contact info to begin with?

[schue]

Idk why I just had a dream that the girls are actually on good terms with youngji. It's probably not that deep. Maybe she couldn't make it bc of schedule conflict.