Kpop news 2017: Miss A confirms disbandment

Miss A promotional photo Facebook/Miss A

Korean girl group Miss A officially disbands after seven years in the airwaves.

On Wednesday, Dec. 27, talent agency JYP Entertainment announced that the four-member group -- composed of Suzy (Suji Bae), Fei (Fei Fei Wang), Min (Lee Min-young) and Jia (Jia Meng) -- has decided to officially call it quits.

While the news comes as a blow to fans, it was not unexpected. After a series of hits with singles "Bad Girl, Good Girl," "Hush," "I Don't Need a Man," and "Only You," Miss A has essentially been inactive since it released its third mini album "Colors" in 2015.

In 2016, one of its Chinese members, Jia, left the group to pursue a career in her home country. She was followed just last month by Min, who decided not to renew her contract with the agency.

The only remaining members still with JYP are Suzy and Fei, who renewed their contracts earlier this year. Both have started to pursue solo careers, and have since released an EP each. Suzy has also become a well-known actress in and around South Korea, with hit dramas "Uncontrollably Fond" and "While You Were Sleeping."

Following the disbandment, former member Jia took to Weibo, a Chinese micro-blogging site, to reflect on her time with the group.

She shared how her 10 years of training helped her mature as an entertainer, explaining that their decision to separate ways would only help them grow and be more independent.

"Only because there was miss A, there is me; I'm very grateful for my days with the other three members at JYP," she shared.

Jia also recently released a new single, "Mood," with Got7's Chinese rapper Jackson Wang.

Miss A continues the seven-year curse in the K-pop industry, where many groups have failed to continue after the end of their seven-year contract. This year alone, icons Sistar and Wonder Girls have disbanded. They follow last year's break-ups -- 4Minute and 2NE1.

News
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales

Hundreds of people gathered at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday for the annual Royal Maundy service, held in Wales for only the second time in the service's 800-year history.

Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service
Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service

Over 150 years since a north Wales church was built with plans for a full ring of bells, the sound long intended for its tower is finally set to be heard at an Easter service.

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre
'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose' is beautifully written, with an unusually nuanced approach to political matters.

MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift
MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift

Alastair Campbell famously declared "We don't do God."