KARA (Hangul: 카라, Japanese: カラ) is a five-member girl group formed by DSP Media and currently signed under RBW. Originally as four, they debuted on March 29, 2007 with their first album The First Bloooooming. They disbanded on January 15, 2016 following the contract expirations for Gyuri, Seungyeon and Hara.[1]
On September 18, 2022, RBW announced the group would be reuniting in celebration of their 15th anniversary since debut. Their special anniversary album, titled Move Again, was released on November 29.[2][3]
Their name comes from the Greek Word "chara" (χαρά, lit. "joy"), which the group interpreted to mean "sweet melody".
History[]
2007–2008: Debut, line-up change[]
KARA originally started as a four-member group and made their debut with "Break It" while displaying a strong female image and a mature R&B sound. Expectations for the group to be as big as their senior labelmates, Fin.K.L, were extremely high and the members were promoted as successors to them. They released their first album titled The First Bloooooming in 2007. However, their debut was not well received by the public, and the album was a commercial failure.
In 2008, Kim Sunghee departed the group due to parental pressure, and two new members were brought in; as such, the group consisted of five members: Park Gyuri, Han Seungyeon, Jung Nicole, Goo Hara, and Kang Jiyoung. The addition of the two new members also faced a change in the group's original image to a "pretty but natural" appeal. The five-member band eventually went on to achieve their first number one song with "Honey".
2008–2009: Pretty Girl, Honey, Revolution[]
2010–2011: Lupin, Japanese debut, Jumping[]
The group eventually made their debut in Japan in 2010. By the end of that year, Kara was dubbed as Japan's #1 Rookie Artist of 2010 by Oricon and also received the New Artist Of The Year Award (International) from the Japan Gold Disc Awards. In April 2011, the group achieved their first number one single with "Jet Coaster Love", making them the first foreign female group since the creation of the Oricon to rank first in the 1st week of release and the first foreign female group in 30 years to rank first in the charts all together. They also hold the title as the first Korean girl group to top the Oricon weekly single chart.
2011: Step, Super Girl[]
2012: 1st concert tour, Pandora, Girls Forever[]
2013: Fantastic Girls, Full Bloom[]
2014–2015: Nicole and Jiyoung's departures, KARA Project and Day & Night[]
In January 2014, Nicole and Jiyoung decided to not renew their contracts with DSP Media; thus leaving KARA.[4][5] Nicole left to pursue a solo career, releasing her first mini album First Romance in November 2014 under her new agency B2M Entertainment. Jiyoung left to study overseas, and signed with Sweet Power to resume her acting career in Japan.
Following their departures, a reality show titled KARA Project was aired on TV to select a new member to join the group. Seven trainees from DSP Media including former members of DSP's group PURETTY took part in the program. The winner of the competition was Hur Young Ji who became the latest member to join the group.
They released their sixth mini album Day & Night on August 18, 2014 in South Korea with "Mamma Mia" as their title track. A Japanese version of the track was released in Japan on August 27, 2014 as their eleventh single.
On March 15, 2015, the group released a Japanese triple A-side single, "Summergic / Sunshine Miracle / Sunny Days". It topped Oricon daily singles chart selling over 28,000 copies. Subsequently, It was ranked number two at the Oricon weekly singles chart with sales of 52,496 copies, behind V6's "Timeless".
2015–2016: In Love and disbandment[]
The group released their seventh mini album, In Love, on May 26, 2015. Its title track, "Cupid", was revealed prior to its official release at KBS' Dream Concert on May 23, 2015.
On July 17, 2015, it was announced that KARA would embark on their 4th Japanese tour beginning in September.
On January 15, 2016, DSP announced Gyuri, Seungyeon and Hara's departure from the group due to contract expiration. The company also noted that Youngji would continue her music career as a solo artist. The company is planning to help Youngji succeed and develop for the future.[1]
2022: 15th anniversary reunion with Move Again and Move Again - KARA 15th Anniversary Album [Japan Edition][]
On June 11, the KARA members shared that they had recently reunited for a commemorative photo shoot.[6] On June 14, it was revealed that the KARA members gathered together on June 13 to discuss the release of a digital single and various activities to celebrate the group's 15th anniversary.[7] On September 19, it was confirmed that KARA will be releasing their 15th anniversary album sometime in November.[8] It was later revealed that they will release their 15th anniversary album, Move Again on November 29.[9]
The Japanese version, Move Again - KARA 15th Anniversary Album [Japan Edition], was released on December 21.[10]
Members[]
| Name | Position(s) | Years active |
|---|---|---|
| Gyuri (규리) | Leader, Lead Vocalist | 2007–2016, 2022-present |
| Seungyeon (승연) | Main Vocalist | 2007–2016, 2022-present |
| Nicole (니콜) | Main Rapper, Main Dancer, Vocalist (Maknae 2007–2008) | 2007–2014, 2022-present |
| Jiyoung (지영) | Vocalist, Visual (Maknae 2008–2014) | 2008–2014, 2022-present |
| Youngji (영지) | Lead Rapper, Lead Dancer, Vocalist, Maknae (2014–present) | 2014–2016, 2022-present |
| Former | ||
| Sunghee (성희) | Main Vocalist | 2007–2008 |
| Hara (하라) | Main Dancer, Vocalist, Visual, Face of the Group | 2008–2016 |
Discography[]
Korean[]Studio albums[]
Compilation albums[]
Special albums[]
Mini albums[]
Digital singles[]
OSTs[]
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Japanese[]Studio albums[]
Best albums[]
Compilation albums[]
Special albums[]Singles[]
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Filmography[]
Reality shows[]
- KARA's 15th Anniversary Vacation 나만 없어, 카라 (Wavve, 2024)[11]
Gallery[]
- Main article: KARA/Gallery
References[]
Official links[]
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