Kara (South Korean group)

Kara
Image of Kara members dancing dressed in pink
Kara in 2022
From left to right: Seungyeon, Jiyoung, Nicole, Youngji, Gyuri
Background information
OriginSeoul, South Korea
Genres
Years active
  • 2007–2016
  • 2022–present
Labels
Members
Past members
Websitekara.bstage.in

Kara (Korean: 카라; Japanese: カラ; often stylized in all caps) /ˈkɑːrə/ is a South Korean girl group formed by DSP Media in 2007. The group's current lineup is Gyuri, Seungyeon, Nicole, Jiyoung, and Youngji. Kara made their debut in March 2007 with their first studio album, The First Bloooooming, and its title track, "Break It." Originally a quartet composed of Park Gyuri, Han Seungyeon, Nicole Jung, and Kim Sunghee, Kara showcased a strong female image and a mature R&B sound. Expectations for the group were high because they were considered the successors to their senior labelmates, Fin.K.L; however, their debut was a commercial failure. The following year, Sunghee left the group due education issues and parental pressure, and members Goo Hara and Kang Jiyoung were added.[1][2]

After the addition of the new members, Kara's image and musical style changed to a "pretty but natural" concept with the release of their first mini-album, Rock U, in July 2008.[3] Following the change in concept, Kara saw an increase in recognition. In 2009, they achieved their first music show win with "Honey",[4] and after performing their single "Mister," the popularity of its "butt dance" choreography further increased Kara's popularity.[5] Follow-up singles "Lupin" (2010), "Jumping" (2010), "Step" (2011), and "Pandora" (2012), also sold and charted well. After establishing success in Korea, Kara began to promote their music in Japan by signing to Universal Music Japan's subsidiary label, Universal Sigma, in 2010. Following their commercially successful debut, Kara achieved their first number one single in Japan with "Jet Coaster Love" in April 2011, marking the first time a foreign female group topped the singles chart in 30 years.[6]

Within their first two years of promoting in Japan, Kara sold over one million physical singles, making them one of the fastest-selling South Korean acts in Japan.[7] In 2014, Nicole and Jiyoung decided not to renew their contracts with DSP Media and left the group. Following their departures, a reality TV show titled Kara Project aired to select a new member to join the group. Seven trainees from DSP Media took part in the program, and the winner, Heo Youngji, became the last member to join Kara. With this four-member lineup, Kara released two more singles in South Korea: "Mamma Mia" (2014) and "Cupid" (2015), receiving one music show win for each.[8][9]

On January 15, 2016, DSP Media announced Gyuri, Seungyeon, and Hara's contracts expired and left the company. For Kara's 15th anniversary in 2022, members Gyuri, Seungyeon, Nicole, Jiyoung, and Youngji reunited[10] to release an EP titled Move Again. Its single, "When I Move," earned Kara their first music show win in seven years.[11]On April 3, 2024, Kara announced "The 5th Japan Tour 2024 Karasia" would begin in August, 9 years after their last Karasia tour.[12] On June 18, 2024, Kara announced a comeback on July 24 with the special digital single "I Do I Do".[13] "Hello," a pre-release single featuring vocals from late member Hara was later released on July 16.[14]

  1. ^ "김성희, 카라 탈퇴 후 뭐하나 했더니..." 아시아경제 (in Korean). January 16, 2014. Archived from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  2. ^ "Kara". KBS World. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  3. ^ Kara / Mini Album Rock U – K-Pop CD – Korea CD & DVD Archived May 20, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Star-thots.com (July 30, 2008).
  4. ^ (in Korean) Jo, Dong-joon. 카라1위 데뷔이후 첫 1위 감격! (Kara's First #1 After Debut, Grateful!) Archived May 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. TodayKorea. March 6, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  5. ^ "Kara's Best Dance Moves". MWave. September 9, 2012. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  6. ^ KARA、海外女性グループ初のシングル初登場首位 (KARA) ニュース-ORICON STYLE Archived April 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Oricon.co.jp.
  7. ^ KARA Sells One Million Singles – Yahoo! News Philippines Archived October 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Ph.news.yahoo.com (July 6, 2012).
  8. ^ "8월 27일 쇼챔피언 '챔피언송'은? 새로운 모습으로 컴백한 카라의 <맘마미아>가 차지했습니다! 1년 만에 돌아온 카라의 1위를 축하드립니다^^". Twitter. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  9. ^ "카라의 30회 더쇼초이스 수상을 축하드립니다^^ 항상 아름다운 여신들 카라!! 컴백 무대와 동시에 1위까지~ 역시 카라입니당". Twitter. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  10. ^ "카라, 11월 완전체 컴백 확정..'탈퇴' 니콜·강지영까지 [공식]". 뉴스1 (in Korean). September 19, 2022. Archived from the original on September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  11. ^ "12월 3주 순위". KBS 인터넷 서비스 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 16, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  12. ^ "KARA THE 5th JAPAN TOUR 2024 "KARASIA" 開催決定!". Kamilia Japan. Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  13. ^ "'6인 완전체 D-1' 카라, 싱글 'I Do I Do'로 알릴 한류퀸 저력". JTBC News. July 23, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  14. ^ Frater, Patrick (July 16, 2024). "Late K-Pop Star Goo Hara Featured on Kara's New Single 'Hello'". Variety. Retrieved July 16, 2024.