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Kara (South Korean group)

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For other uses, see Kara (disambiguation).
Kara

Template:Koreantext Kara (Hangul: 카라, often stylized as KARA or KaRa) is a popular girl group from South Korea. They are under Daesung Entertainment (DSP). Kara comes from the Greek word "chara" (χαρά, lit. "joy"), which the group interpreted to mean "sweet melody".[1]

After losing a member in 2008, Kara regrouped to become a 5-member band and eventually achieved their first #1 song with "Honey".[2]

History

Debut

They debuted as a 4-member girl group on March 29, 2007 with "Break It" on M! Countdown. Their first album was called The First Blooming, and they debuted with the mature, independent, "strong-female" image and they focused on singing and music, instead of appearing on variety shows. They made two music videos from this album: "Break It" and "If U Wanna". Promotions ended in the summer of 2007.

Because of their similarity to Fin.K.L and the fact that both were under the same company, the two were often compared; in response, Kara stated that they wanted to work hard enough to deserve the comparison.[3]

New members, image change, and comeback

The group was scheduled to have their comeback in March 2008 with their second album. However, Kim Sung-hee left the group suddenly due to parental pressure, as her participation in the group was contingent on the maintenance of her grades. She failed to pass her college entrance exam, and as a result, she was forced to leave the group. In response, DSP stated that the second album would be shelved and replaced by a mini-album to come in May; in addition, two members would join the group, chosen through public auditions, to be chronicled by music television station M.Net.[4][5] However, this show was canceled the day it was supposed to air.[citation needed]

The two new members were eventually revealed to be Koo Ha-ra and Kang Ji-young. KARA's comeback as a 5-member group was on July 24, 2008 with "Rock U" on MCountdown. They made their comeback with the "cute" "playful" image. The same month, their first EP was released. After promotions for the song ended, Kara digitally released "Good Day: Season 2", a remake of a song on their EP, on October 13, 2008. A music video of this song was released a few days after.

Second mini-album

"Pretty Girl"

On November 29, 2008, DSP Entertainment released a teaser video for their upcoming single, "Pretty Girl", which received over 40,000 hits within 12 hours.[6] The full video was released on December 2, 2008 online and was positively received by the public,[7] while the EP was released on December 4.[6] The mini-album is supposed to have a "party"/fun concept.[7] The group began its comeback on all major music shows on December 4, 2008, starting with M.Net Countdown.[8] During their first national performance on KBS's Music Bank, member Koo Ha Ra accidentally slipped due to falling confetti and cried for an hour backstage.[9] Netizens made it a "hot issue", but Koo received comfort instead of criticism from the public.[10]

After the release of "Pretty Girl", "Kara" become a popular search term on various Korean portal sites. Leader Park Gyu-ri attributed their popularity increase to their "pretty but natural" appeal,[11] while media reports gave credit to the band finding their own identity[12] and to older male fans, most notably singer Shin Hae-cheol.[13]

Due to the hectic promotional schedule, a few of the group's members were taken to the hospital on December 19 after a KBS Music Bank rehearsal, but a DSP representative said that it was not serious.[14]

"Honey" and Kara's first #1

At the end of January 2009, DSP Entertainment announced that it would commence voting on January 28 at Kara's official website for the follow-up single to "Pretty Girl", which would end on February 2.[15] By the deadline of February 2, "Honey" was the clear winner, with 60% of the votes.[15][16] The group filmed a music video for the song, which was released on February 16. The song was also first performed on KBS's Music Bank program on February 13, 2009; a repackaged mini-album followed on February 19.[15][16]

"Honey" became the group's first #1 single when it topped the M.Net M Countdown show, beating out Girls' Generation's "Gee" for the spot.[2] The song also won the "Mutizen" ("music netizen") award on SBS's 인기가요 ("Popular Songs") program.[17]

The group did its last round of promotional activities for this album on April 10–12, 2009.[18]

Mid-2009 comeback with "Revolution"

It was revealed in June that the group would return in late July 2009, with their concept to be "upgraded".[19] The first teaser pictures of the group were then released in mid-July, showing radical changes in the group's style.[20][21]

Their single "Wanna" was released on July 28, 2009. The song quickly charted on various digital music charts.[22] The music video was released on July 29, with the full album being available on July 30.[22] Comeback activities commenced on July 31, beginning with KBS's Music Bank; the group performed both "Wanna" and "Mister".[23] "Mister" proved to be popular with netizens due to a "butt dance" that features prominently in the choreography.[23][24] Due to the popularity of the song, Kara's overall popularity increased, with numerous advertisment requests coming in for the group; they had more advertisements in October 2009 than the previous two years.[25]

On August 30, 2009, "Wanna" won the "Mutizen Song" award from SBS's Inkigayo music program.[citation needed]

Other works

TV shows

Kara had two seasons of a behind-the-scenes reality show titled KARA SelfCamera. The first season debuted on August 8, 2007, and chronicled the lives of the girls over 15 episodes. After the first season ended on December 12, 2007, the show restarted on August 18, 2008, which showcased how the group was adapting to its two new nembers. The second season lasted for 8 episodes.

On January 16, 2009, it was announced that leader Park Gyuri would be a VJ on cable network KMTV for their J-Pop show J-Pop Wave.[26] However, it was also announced that the other members of Kara would also join Park on the show, as they were all familiar with Japanese pop music. The first episode aired on January 17, 2009.

At the end of March, Kara was chosen for the fourth season of MBCEvery1's Idol Show (아이돌군단의 떴다! 그녀, "Idol Corps Have Risen! Girls"), which marked the group's first hosting duties for a show.[27] Kara then had a reality show MTV Meta Friends, which chronicled a group of fans getting a chance to become Kara's friends. For the show, the group had their first concert since their debut in 2007.[28]

Kara starred in the second season of M.net's "Crown Bakery" after the Wonder Girls. The show is renamed "Kara Bakery" and first aired November 25, 2009.

Soundtracks

The original group recorded a song titled "Fighting" on the soundtrack for 강남엄마 따라잡기 ("Chasing a Mother from Kangnam"), a drama that aired on SBS; the soundtrack was released on July 25, 2007. Their second song was "Butterfly" on the soundtrack for the Naruto anime, which was released on September 29, 2008. Kara also participated in the second soundtrack for Boys Over Flowers, recording the song "Love is Fire".

"Ddok Gateun Mam" ("똑 같은 맘", "The Same Heart") was a song used in "i-Musician", an upcoming mobile game that Kara promoted; the song was released digitally in June 2009.[29]

Members

Current

Park Gyuri (박규리)

  • Date of birth: (1988-05-21) May 21, 1988 (age 36)

Park is the leader of Kara. Prior to her singing career, she was a child actress. Her first appearance was on Today is a Nice Day in 1995 where she played the girlfriend of Kang Ho Dong's brother. She later appeared as the teenage version of Kim Jung Eun's character in Ladies of the Palace in 2001. She was also featured in a cameo appearance in Lee Jun Ki's pomegranate commercial. Originally having auditioned as a rapper, she rapped for the first time in the song "Mabeob" (Template:Lang-ko, "Magic") with Nicole on Kara's 2nd album Revolution.

Upon Nicole Jung's segment ending on Star Golden Bell, she was appointed as a permanent guest.

Han Seungyeon (한승연)

  • Date of birth: (1988-07-24) July 24, 1988 (age 36)

She debuted as a child actress in a cameo role in Star in My Heart[30]. She appeared in SS501's Japanese music video for "Lucky Days" and was the VJ for MSL Break from 2007 to 2008. She replaced Tiffany of Girls' Generation as co-host of Sonyeo Sonyeon Gayo Baekso (SSGB) with Kim Hyesung and later with actor Kim Soohyeon. Their segment ended on May 8, 2009.

From October to December 2008, she was part of the cast of MBC reality show Family Needed, where a group of celebrities would live life as a family, consisting of a father, mother, son and daughter. She also became part of MBC's entertainment news show Section TV as a "pop columnist", debuting on November 21, 2008.[31] She also made a guest appearance on rapper Nassun's single "Nolleowa" (Template:Lang-ko, "Come to Play"), which was released in March 2009, and appeared on the soundtrack for the movie Welcome to my House, releasing her first solo song "Gijeok" (Template:Lang-ko, "Miracle").

She became part of the "Dream Team Girl Group" for Samsung called "4Tomorrow" with Brown Eyed Girls's Ga-in, 4minute's Hyuna and After School's Uee. Their first digital single "Dugeunduguen Tomorrow" (Template:Lang-ko, "BeatBeat Tomorrow") was released on October 6, 2009, and the official music video was released on October 12, starring actor Lee Dong Gun, who will also star in each member's individual drama version of the video. Han's version was released on October 26, where she portrays a talented pianist and moonlighting club DJ.

Jung Nicole (정니콜)

  • Birth name: Nicole Jung; Jung Yong Joo (Hangul: 정용주)
  • Date of birth: (1991-10-07) October 7, 1991 (age 33)

Jung was born and raised in Glendale, California. She wrote the rap lyrics for KARA's first album and also came up with the "Yo Jump" for Rock U in the choreography. She also joined Star Golden Bell, hosting a segment "Level With Me (Season 2)" in which the guests have to guess a term or title from her clues; the challenge comes due to her comparative lack of skill and experience with the Korean language. The segment ran from December 20, 2008 to October 17, 2009.[32]

In April 2009, Nicole also sang a duet called "Happy and" with former Noel member Kang Kyun-seong.[33] She composed the Korean rap lyrics for the song "Let It Go" from their 2nd album Revolution.

In August 2009, she and then-2PM member Jaebeom became part of historical culture variety show Nodaji, replacing Choi Min Yong and Kim Tae Hyun. Other MCs for the show include Kim Jae Dong, Jo Hye Ryun, Shin Jung Hwan, and Hwang Bo. The show was cancelled due to low ratings in October 2009.

Jung stars in the third season of M.net reality show KAIST which portrays a celebrity's life as a college student; the show was renamed Nicole The Entertainer's Introduction to Veterinary Science since Nicole would not be attending KAIST. The first episode aired on November 19, 2009.

Goo Hara (구하라)

  • Date of birth: (1991-01-13) January 13, 1991 (age 33)

Goo was born and raised in Gwangju (광주; 光州). She was an online shopping mall model before debuting, having been scouted after her photos were uploaded onto DSP's homepage. In late 2008, she appeared along with the other Kara members (excluding Seungyeon) in an episode of MBC sitcom That Person is Coming, having the most prominent role as a female gang leader.

In October 2009, she became a cast member in KBS2TV reality show Invincible Youth. Hosted by Kim Shin Young, Kim Tae Woo, Noh Joo Hyun and Nam Hee Seok, the cast also consists of Brown Eyed Girls' Narsha, 4minute's Hyuna, T-ara's Hyomin, Girls' Generation's Yuri and Sunny, and Secret's Han Sunhwa, together forming a special group called G7 (Girl 7) with Hara.

She joined the cast of MBC's Hunters, along with SS501's Kim Hyun Joong, Jung Yong Hwa, Lee Hwi Jae, Shin Jung Hwan and two professional hunters to catch overpopulated wild boars that have become a dangerous threat to people and crops. The first episode aired on December 6, 2009.

Kang Jiyoung (강지영)

  • Date of birth: (1994-01-18) January 18, 1994 (age 30)

Kang was born and raised in Paju (파주; 坡州), Gyeonggi-do. In April 2009, she collaborated with JUMPER for the song "Nunibushyeo" (Template:Lang-ko, "Sparkling Eyes").

Former

Kim Sunghee (김성희)

  • Birth name: Kim Sung Hee (김성희)
  • Date of birth: (1989-05-17) May 17, 1989 (age 35)

She sang a solo "Then It's Done" for the soundtrack of SBS drama Three Leaf Clover. In August 2009, she featured in g.NE's song "Dream".

Discography

Albums

Album # Album Information Tracklisting
1st First Full Length Album
  • Title: Debut Album - The First Bloooooming
  • Format: CD
  • Release Date: March 29, 2007
  • Language: Korean
  • Record Label: Daesung Entertainment
Tracklisting
  1. 못 지킨 말
  2. 맘에 들면 (If U Wanna)
  3. Break It
  4. Secret World
  5. Don't Be Shy
  6. 우리 둘
  7. I'll Be There
  8. 눈물 지우개
  9. Break It (Instrumental)
  10. 못 지킨 말 (Instrumental)
2nd First Mini Album
  • Title: 1st Mini Album - Rock U
  • Format: CD
  • Release Date: July 24, 2008
  • Language: Korean
  • Record Label: Daesung Entertainment
Tracklisting
  1. Rock U
  2. Baby Boy
  3. 이게뭐야
  4. Good Day
  5. Wait
3rd Second Mini Album
Tracklisting
  1. 하니
  2. Pretty Girl
  3. 요를레이
  4. My Darling
  5. "나는.. (Ing)
4th Second Mini Album: Special Edition
Tracklisting
  1. Honey
  2. 이게 뭐야 (Plastic Version)
  3. Pretty Girl (School Rock Version)
  4. Pretty Girl (Bunny Version)
  5. Good Day: Season 2
  6. Honey (Version II)
5th Second Full Length Album
  • Title: Second Album - Revolution
  • Format: CD
  • Release Date: July 30, 2009
  • Language: Korean
  • Record Label: Daesung Entertainment
Tracklisting
  1. 미스터
  2. Wanna
  3. 마법
  4. 몰래몰래
  5. Let It Go
  6. Take A Bow
  7. AHA
  8. 똑 같은 맘
  9. Wanna (Instrumental)
  10. 마법 (Instrumental)

Singles

Single # Album Information Tracklisting
1st First Single
  • Title: Good Day: Season 2
  • Format: Digital Single
  • Release Date: October 13, 2008
  • Language: Korean
  • Record Label: Daesung Entertainment
Tracklisting
  1. Good Day: Season 2
  2. Good Day: Season 2 (Instrumental)
2nd Second Single
  • Title: I-Musician
  • Format: Digital Single
  • Release Date: June 4, 2009
  • Language: Korean
  • Record Label: Daesung Entertainment
Tracklisting
  1. 똑 같은 맘
  2. 똑 같은 맘 (Instrumental)

References

  1. ^ "원조의 아성에 도전하는 2기 그룹들". Hot! Issue (in Korean). M-Net Media Corporation. 2007-04-05. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
  2. ^ a b Jo, Dong-joon. 카라1위 데뷔이후 첫 1위 감격! (Kara's First #1 After Debut, Grateful!). TodayKorea. March 6, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  3. ^ Template:Ko icon Yeong-hyeon Kim. "카라 '핑클과 비교될 정도로 잘하고 싶어'". Hankooki.com. May 1, 2007. Retrieved March 20, 2008.
  4. ^ Template:Ko icon '카라 탈퇴' 김성희 "아쉽지만 음악공부에 전념할 것". February 28, 2008. Retrieved March 20, 2008.
  5. ^ 카라 김성희 탈퇴로 새 멤버 오디션 진행한다. March 1, 2008. Retrieved March 20, 2008.
  6. ^ a b Template:Ko icon Gil, Hye-sung. 걸그룹 카라, 신곡 티저영상 12시간 만에 4만 클릭 (Girl Group Kara, New Video Teaser received 40,000 Clicks in 12 Hours). MoneyToday. November 29, 2008. Retrieved December 1, 2008.
  7. ^ a b Template:Ko icon 카라, '프리티 걸' 뮤비 공개...미니 2집 활동 본격 돌입 예고 (Kara, "Pretty Girl" MV Released...2nd Mini Album Activities Rush-Announced. 매일경제 (Maeil Gyeongjae). December 2, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
  8. ^ Template:Ko icon Kim, Hyungoo. 카라 4일 새 미니앨범 발표 ‘2개월 만에 컴백’ (Kara's New Album on the 4th, "Second Comeback in Two Months"). Newsen/Joins.com. December 2, 2008. Retrieved December 2, 2008.
  9. ^ Template:Ko icon Kim, Hyungoo. 카라 구하라 첫 컴백 무대 후 눈물 펑펑 (Kara's Koo Ha Ra Cried Many Tears After First Comeback). Newsen. December 5, 2008. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
  10. ^ 카라 "깜찍·발랄 국민여동생? 호호호~"(Kara "Cute & Lively National Sisters? Hohoho~"). Sports Hankook. December 10, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  11. ^ 카라 "깜찍·발랄 국민여동생? 호호호~" (Kara "The Country's Cute and Lively Younger Sisters? Hohoho"). Hankook Ilbo. December 10, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  12. ^ 카라 '원더걸스-소녀시대-브아걸, 거기 서!' (Kara: "Wonder Girls, Girls' Generation, Brown Eyed Girls, Stop Right There!"). Sports Seoul. December 15, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  13. ^ Kim, Hyeong-woo. ‘대세’ 카라를 있게 한 사람들 누굴까 (Who made Kara "Popular"?). Newsen. January 29, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2009.
  14. ^ Template:Ko icon Park, Gun-wook. 카라, 감기 피로누적으로 '집단 응급실행'…큰 이상 없어 (Kara, Due to Cold and Exhaustion "Taken to Emergency as a Group"...Nothing Serious). Asia Economy. December 19, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2008.
  15. ^ a b c Template:Ko icon Choi, Dae-han. 카라 '하니' 후속곡으로 결정! (Kara "Honey" Chosen as Follow-up Single!). Today Korea. February 2, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  16. ^ a b Template:Ko icon 카라하니, 달려라 하니? “‘프리티걸’ 인기에 이어 달릴 거야!!” (Kara Honey, Let's Go, Honey? "We Will Ride 'Pretty Girl' Popularity!!"). Hankook Gyung-jae. February 2, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  17. ^ 카라 “소녀시대 게 섯거라” 데뷔 2년만에 TV 첫 1위 눈물 울먹울먹. Joins.com. March 9, 2009. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  18. ^ 카라 활동 마무리 소감 “1위도 하고.. 너무 뜻깊었던 시간” (Kara's Thoughts on Final Activities: "We Went #1...A Time of Deep Significance). Newsen. April 10, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
  19. ^ Template:Ko icon 걸그룹 대란속 ‘조용한’ 카라 뭐할까 “업그레이드 카라 온다” (What is "silent" Kara doing during the girl group uproar - "An Upgraded Kara is coming."). Newsen. June 16, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2009.
  20. ^ Template:Ko icon 카라 “이제 소녀 아닌 여자로 봐주세요” (Kara: "Please see us as women, not girls"). Joins.com. July 20, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2009.
  21. ^ Template:Ko icon Im, I-rang. '컴백' 카라, 백발머리 변신 파격 스틸컷 공개 ("Comeback" Kara, White-Hair Transformation Pictures Revealed). MyDaily. July 21, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2009.
  22. ^ a b Template:Ko icon Kim, Hyeong-wu. 카라 ‘Wanna’ 뮤비 전격 공개 ‘성숙해진 깜찍발랄 매력 폴폴’ (Kara's "Wanna" Music Video Release Blitz, "Matured Cute and Lively Image Overflowing"). Joins.com/Newsen. July 29, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
  23. ^ a b Template:Ko icon Kang, Eun-yeong. "카라 '엉덩이춤' 너무 귀여워~" ("Kara's 'Butt Dance' is So Cute~"). Sports Hankook. August 5, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
  24. ^ Template:Ko icon 카라 ‘엉덩이춤’ 눈길 확~ 대박 조짐 (Kara's "Butt Dance" is Eye-grabbing; Huge Hit). Joins.com/Newsen. August 5, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
  25. ^ Template:Ko icon Kim, Won-gyeong. 실룩샐룩! 카라 ‘엉덩이’에 CF계 홀렸다 (Shake, Shake! Commercials Fall for Kara's "Butts"). Nate News. November 18, 2009. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
  26. ^ '카라' 박규리, '제이팝웨이브' VJ 발탁 (Kara's Park Gyuri Chosen as J-Pop Wave VJ). Asia Economy. January 16, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  27. ^ 카라, 예능 프로그램 MC 신고식 (Kara, Variety Program MC Announcement). Maeil Kyungjae. April 1, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  28. ^ Lee, Hyeon-wu. 카라, 5월 30일 데뷔 후 첫 미니콘서트 (Kara, First Concert since Debut on May 30). Maeil Gyeongjae. May 27, 2009. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
  29. ^ Lee, Hyeon-wu. 카라 `프리티걸` 영광재현! 신곡 티저 공개 (Kara "Pretty Girl" Glorious Return, New Teaser Revealed). Maeil Gyeongjae. June 2, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
  30. ^ '카라 한승연의 11년 전 사진이 온라인을 뜨겁게 달구고 있습니다'. Nate. August 18, 2008.
  31. ^ Jang, Suh-yoon. '섹션TV', 패널 대거교체…카라 한승연 리포터 데뷔 (""Section TV" Panel Overhaul...Kara's Han Seung Yeon Debuts as Reporter"). MyDaily. November 17, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  32. ^ Template:Ko icon ‘스타골든벨’ 코너 ‘눈높이를 맞춰요’ 폐지 ‘니콜 고정하차’ ("Star Golden Bell" corner "Level With Me" Ends, "Nicole No Longer Permanent Member"). Joins.com/Newsen. October 21, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  33. ^ Yoon, Hyeon-jin. 강균성, 카라 니콜에 DSLR 카메라 선물 화제 (Kang Kyun-seong, DSL Camera Gift to Kara's Nicole Revealed). Newsen. April 15, 2009. Retrieved April 16, 2009.


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