Homework: What Does Nicole's Departure From KARA Mean?

Some major news has hit the Hallyu world today: It was annonced that Nicole, member one one of the most popular idol group's KARA, was not renewing her contract with DSP and will no longer be a member, starting this January. This comes as a major shock to probably everyone on the outside looking in at DSP, when we all under the impression that the groups contract negotiations were going well and that we would get another mini sooner than later. I literally just got into KARA when "Pandora" was released back in August of last year. I was mesmerized by the amount of fierceness that her and Seungyeon were able to convey without overshadowing one another. Their "Damaged Lady" single has been doing wonders in my library as well, especially since English-language music releases have finally kicked into high gear. The winner for me though was when I went back to 2011 and saw the video for "Step" (note 2:07 where Nicole is slaying all your basic faves by hopping and pointing) Being the optimist that I am, I'm hoping between now and the end of this year, Nicole will reconsider and continue on (which is reaching something serious) but there are also positives that can come with this decision:
1.We may get a solo career from her in the near future-I could see Nicole coming back and doing a Sunmi and releasing a killer with the times K-Pop tune complete with good choreography and oodles of confidence. I mean, her one off song "Lost" is quite the tune. She also gives me the Ayumi Hamasaki vibe, so she could work that angle in Japan if she wanted.
2.She may do more dramas/variety shows-A lot of people who mention Nicole mention her time on the now defunct TV show "Star Golden Bell." If she leaves DSP and decides to sign elsewhere, I'm pretty sure dramas and variety shows would be lining up to have her host/be a major star.
3.It gives a chance for KARA to re-tool their image-KARA would still have Hara, Seungyeon, and Gyuri (other member Jiyoung is also considering leaving to continue her studies). KARA could drop Sweetune, (who should exclusively produce for Infinite and Nine Muses tbh) pick up a producer like Rphabet or Duble Sidekick, and continue on as a more mature trio, filling a niche that is missing in K-Pop at the moment. KARA doesn't have to end just because Nicole is gone.

Either way, it's still sad to see one of K-Pop's most beloved idols leaving. I hope we at least get a goodbye group single, just so I can see KARA get that all-kill...