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KARA

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KARA promoting Revolution; Left to Right: Ji Young, Nicole, Gyuri, Seung Yeon, Hara (2009)

Kara (카라) is a Korean pop girl group formed by DSP Entertainment. They were originally a four member group where they were marketed as the Fin.K.L, however Kim Sung Hee withdrew from the group and was replaced with Kang Ji Young and Goo Hara. They are best known for the "butt dance", which was a part of their Mister choreography, and their hit songs Honey and Pretty Girl.

Members

Former Member

Information

Debut

Kara promoting The First Bloooooming (2007)

Kara debuted as a 4 member girl group marketed as the 2nd Fin.K.L by DSP Entertainment. Their first full length studio album titled The First Bloooooming was released on March 29, 2007, and the third track from their album "Break It" became the lead single. In the MV for "Break It", each member of Kara was referenced as a specific member of Fin.K.L: Kim Sung Hee as Lee Hyori, Jung Nicole as Lee Jin, Park Gyuri as Ock Ju Hyun and Han Seung Yeon as Sung Yu Ri. After "Break It", Kara released their 2nd single from the album "If U Wanna", then released "Secret World" for the 3rd single. The First Bloooooming was met with modest success, and promotions ended in July of 2007.

After The First Bloooooming, Kara entered an extensive period of recording and preparing for their next release. It was announced that Kara was scheduled to make their comeback in March 2008, however on February 28, 2008 , news broke of Sung Hee's sudden departure from Kara. Subsequent days after the shocking news, further information was revealed that Sung Hee broke a pact with her father. In order to be in Kara, Sung Hee promised her father that she would be able to balance her school work and being in the group. Yet when she failed her University Enterance Exams, her father pulled her from the group and blocked any further participation with Kara.

Rock U

In March 2008, DSP Entertainment announced that online auditions would be held to find 2 new members for the group. 6,000 participants from all over the world took part in the audtions. After a couple of months, it was announced that Goo Hara and Kang Ji Young were chosen. On July 24, 2008, Kara released their 1st mini album titled 1st Mini Album and used "Rock U" as the lead single. "Rock U" harbored a noticeably different musical and image change for Kara. Previously, Kara's image and musical direction was R'n'B like their counter part Fin.K.L. However, the image and musical direction for "Rock U" was cute, sweet, and playful; typically found in K-pop Idol girls groups. "Rock U" was a major divergence from Kara's previous title as the 2nd Fin.K.L by DSP Entertainment. However, "Rock U" was a minor hit for Kara. Sequentially, they digitally released Good Day: Season 2, a continuation of the song "Good Day" from their mini album.

Kara promoting Pretty Girl (2008)

Pretty Girl & Pretty Girl (Special Edition)

On November 28, 2008 DSP Entertainment released a teaser video for Kara's MV "Pretty Girl"; the lead single for Kara's 2nd mini album Pretty Girl. The teaser video accumalated over 40,000 hits within 12 hours, until it was officially released on December 2, 2008 online to rave reviews. The mini-album continued with Kara's newly formed cute image from "Rock U". DSP Entertainment said they went with a party concept for the album, and Pretty Girl was released December 4, 2008. Kara began promotions for the mini album on the release date, and performed the title song "Pretty Girl" on KBS "Music Bank". Pretty Girl was repackaged into a "Special Edition" 3rd mini album titled Pretty Girl (Special Edition). DSP Entertainment let fans decide which song from the mini album would be the lead single for Pretty Girl (Special Edition). Fans voted on Kara's Official Website and chose "Honey" as the lead single. Kara recieved their first award with "Honey" on M!net Countdown. They recieved their second award, a "Mutizen", on the SBS program.

Rise In Popularity

Kara promoting Revolution (2009)

Kara recieved more exposure from the success of "Pretty Girl" and "Honey". Jung Nicole joined Star Golden Bell on December 20, 2008. Park Gyuri became a VJ for MTV Korea; hosting a J-pop show called "J-pop Wave". In March, Kara was chosen to host the 4th Season of Idol Show broadcasted by MBCEvery1. Then Kara had their first reality show on MTV Korea called "MTV Meta Friends".

Revolution

On June 4, 2009, Kara digitally released Same Heart, a song included on the "i-Musician" mobile game which they sponsered. DSP Entertainment announced that Kara would release their 2nd full length studio album in mid July. Kara lost 3-5 kg in order to fit the new sexy and mature image needed for their album. The release date was postponed and Revolution was released on July 30, 2009. "Wanna" became the lead single for Revolution and charted high very quickly on various digital charts. Kara performed "Wanna" and "Mister" to promote Revolution. "Mister" quickly became popular among the public due to a certain part of the choreography nicknamed the "butt dance". "Wanna" awarded Kara the "Mutizen" on the SBS program.

Kara ended promotions for "Revolution" on October 18, 2009 with "Mister". DSP Entertainment announced Kara would come back with a new album in mid-November. Until then, Kara will continue with individual activities.

Trivia

  • Official Balloon Color: Pearl Peach
  • Official Fanclub: Kamilia (카밀리아)

Discography

Albums

Mini Albums

Digital Single

Awards

  • 2007-05-05 Korean Culture Content Agency (KOCCA) - The best rookie album awards (KARA)
  • 2007-08-09 Cyworld Digital Music Awards - Rookie of the month for August (KARA)
  • 2009-03-05 MNet M! Coutndown (Honey)
  • 2009-03-08 SBS Inkigayo #1 (Honey)
  • 2009-03-12 MNet M! Coutndown (Honey)
  • 2009-03-19 MNet M! Countdown (Honey)
  • 2009-03-26 MNet 20's Choices (Honey)
  • 2009-08-30 SBS Inkigayo #1 (Wanna)
  • 2009-11-21 MNet Asia Music Awards: Best Dance (Honey)

External Links