KARA will work with a well known label company for their Japanese music market advance.

Korean girlgroup KARA is said to have signed up with Universal Music Japan recently and ahead of their official Japanese debut, they will be selling their Korean repackaged album on 28th April.

And coming 7th May, the girls will be heading to Japan for a fan handshake session to be held on 8th May at the Grand Prince Hotel. And on 9th May, they will be hading their official fanclub establishment ceremony with 3000 over fans in Yokohama.

The girls had their first showcase in Japan previously in February. Back then, the ticket for the showcase were sold out in just 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, the girls are set for their official Japanese debut in July-August.

Source: NEwsen + kbites

Fans who have bought ahead, or those who have placed reservations on the mini-album protested this measure. In response to this, Internet shopping mall ‘A’ announced that it will include sales from February 11, which includes those who have placed advanced orders, till 22 for the chart rankings.

Among KARA fans, there has been talks for a movement for the purchase of the mini-album to be only from Feburary 22, and not on the date the album is released. This is for the purposes of ranking in KBS2’s Music Bank, wherein album sales is given the most importance in its judging. For group KARA to be able to win #1 for the first week of March, the album sales from the 22nd to the 28th will be counted, and thus, there has been agreement amongst fans to purchase the album during this week instead of purchasing it on the week of its release.

The fans allegedly requested Internet shopping mall A to make it reflect that sales made before 22 will just be counted on the 22nd and not on the day it was actually made. To accommodate the request of the fans, Internet shopping mall ‘A’ agreed.

However, fans of another singers protested, saying that ‘They are manipulating the charts. Its okay to be number 1, but they should be fair and honest.’ The fandom of the other singers were the ones who leaked the agreement amongst KARA fans. Because of this, the officers of KARA’s fanclub asked the Internet shopping mall ‘A’ to disregard all the request of the fans.

Because of this Internet shopping mall ‘A’ announced that ‘All album sales will be made to reflect starting on the day that they are delivered from the warehouse, and on the day that they are actually made. This will be reflected in the Hanteo charts.’

Netizens however, were sharp to point out that fans don’t usually ask for this to be done, and that no legitimate seller would give in to such baseless request. They ask ‘Was it really the fans who asked that the sales be counted that way? Or was it a strategy on the part of the Internet shopping mall ‘A’ to do so for them to get more customers?’ Internet shopping mall ‘A’ denied this accusation, saying that they were merely accommodating requests from their customers seeing that they could possibly do so.

It is clear for all concerned that DSP and Mnet Media had nothing to do with the situation and were unaware of such controversy.

Internet shoppping mall ‘A’ has apologized for this happening.

However, KARA fans are not pleased, saying that ‘Because of Internet shopping mall ‘A’, KARA received unnecessary criticisms.’ The fans are getting together, agreeing not to purchase the album from their site. They also expressed their dissatisfaction towards KARA’s company, who decided not to release the album on the 22nd saying that ‘They can’t even plan the promotions properly.’

source: DCNEWS LINK
tip-off: mae@KARAholic
translated by coffeebeanie@KARAholic

Pro baseball team, Dusan Bears invited Kara member, Goo Hara to pitch for their 4th match playoff against the SK Wyverns at Seoul Jamsil baseball park on the 11th.

Recently during a broadcast, with her amazing running skills and being given the nickname ‘Goosain Bolt’ from the netizens, Goo Hara told us, “To be invited to pitch for such an important game makes me very happy and honored” and “While wishing for the success of the Dusan Bear’s, I’ll work hard to prepare and show the athletes and the fans a strong and impressive pitch” she expressed.

Debuting in 2007 with a cute and sweet image and securing many fans, the 5-member girl group Kara have had 2 hit singles from their 2nd album “Revolution” with title track ‘Wanna’ and follow-up ‘Mister’, while gaining the love and interest from male fans with their butt dance.

Meanwhile, members from Kara, Kang Jiyoung and Han Seungyeon have pitched and batted for the Dusan Bears against Kia on September 13 during the pennant race.

source: newsen
trans: thebuddybud @ karaholic

이번 정규앨범의 타이틀 [Revolution]은 음악적인 면과 비쥬얼면에서 많은 변화를 주었다는 의미를 담고 있으며, 앨범 발매에 앞서 공개한 화제의 스틸컷을 통해서도 이들의 변화를 느낄 수 있다.

정규앨범 [Revolution]은 타이틀곡 [Wanna]를 비롯해 총 7곡의 신곡과 보너스트랙까지 10곡이 수록되어 있다. 타이틀곡 [Wanna]는 [Pretty Girl], [Honey] 등을 작업한 한재호,김승수 콤비의 곡으로 삼연속 카라의 히트 넘버에 도전할만한 곡으로, 속도감이 느껴지는 강렬한 비트와 자극적인 신스사운드로 무장된 팝 댄스곡이다. 또한, 화려한 코러스와 긴장감있는 곡 전개가 인상적이며, 성숙함으로 한층 업그레이드 된 멤버들의 보이스가 돋보이는 곡이기도 하다. [미스터] 역시 한재호, 김승수 콤비의 곡으로 강렬한 일렉트로니카 사운드에 기반을 둔 유로 팝 댄스곡이다. 특히나 이 곡은 마지막까지 타이틀 경합을 벌인 곡으로 펑키한 느낌의 그루브가 인상적이며, 자신감 넘치는 카라의 새로운 매력을 보여주고 있다.

카라만의 새로운 느낌을 보여주는 트랜디한 미디움 댄스발라드 곡 [마법]은 보다 감미롭고 성숙해진 맴버들의 목소리가 감상 포인트. 청순하면서도 맑은 카라만의 느낌은 애틋한 가사, 예쁜 멜로디와 어울려 듣는 이로 하여금 그리움의 카타르시스를 느끼게 할 만하며, 화려한 20인조 스트링 연주 또한 드라마틱한 곡의 완성도를 더하고 있다.

이밖에도 슬픈 노랫말과 밝고 상쾌한 멜로디가 공존하는 [몰래몰래], 사랑스러운 가사와 예쁜 멜로디 라인이 조화를 이루며, 다이나믹하고 화려한 편곡이 인상깊은 [AHA], 이전까지 KARA에게 느낄 수 없었던 강하고 세련된 느낌의 팝스타일 곡인 [Let It Go], 경쾌한 쿨 팝 댄스곡인 [Take a Bow]가 수록되어 있으며, 리듬게임 ‘아이뮤지션’의 주제곡으로 제작되어 주목받고 있는 [똑 같은 맘]과 타이틀곡 [Wanna], [마법]의 instrumental까지 수록되어 있다.

5-member female band KARA will back this summer with the new song ‘Same Heart’.

The song will be released on 4th June, and it is composed by Han Jae Ho (who also brought to us hits like ‘Pretty Girl’ and ‘Honey’), and written Kim Seung Soo. The song is said to be bring out KARA’s special feeling and also the perfect song for the summer season.

The song will also be featured in the game ‘I-Musician’ which the girls will be singing the OST and modelling to.

Already, the first teaser video to the MV of the song was revealed on Mnet and GomTV on 2nd June.

The song will be revealed in full on 4th June.

source: kbites

MTV, in collaboration with Binggrae and Metacone brings you the search for KARA’s ultimate friend.

MTV’s newest project <KARA’s Meta Friends> will be about the search for the KARA members ultimate friend. The concept of the show is to search for people who would want to be friends with celebrities, and will provide a place for them to strike up a genuine friendship.

The first round of applications will be online through (www.metacone.co.kr) or (www.mtv.co.kr). Those interested just have to send in the reasons why they want to be KARA’s friend to the Metacone or MTV website. The online applications are only till Wednesday, April 22, and the 15 people to take part in the program will be announced on Saturday, April 25.

The 15 contestants chosen will meet KARA in a fan-meeting, after which, they be put in a survival type of program together with the KARA members. For this, they will go on a trip with the girls, where they will have to fulfill different missions until only 5 remain.

This program will give the contestants a chance to see how KARA’s schedule works. In addition to this, they will be able to bond with the members on the 2 day, 1 night trip with KARA. Lastly, the lucky 5 will be given a once in a lifetime opportunity as they will be stand on stage together with KARA, and in the opening of the public outdoor concert, they will be introduced as their best friends. This will take place in KARA’s first ever mini-concert.

The show, which will be an avenue for young people to be able to do things together with their idols, will air this May with 6 episodes on MTV.

source: ASIAE NEWS LINK
thanks to mae@KARAholic
translated by coffeebeanie@KARAholic.com

Big Bang DaeSung has picked youngest member Kang Ji Yeong out of the 5 KARA members as the best ‘Pretty Girl’

DaeSung was recently on MBC Cable ‘Idol Show’ which KARA are the MCs to and was asked to pick out the best ‘Pretty Girl’ amongst the members.

In order to become DaeSung’s ‘Pretty Girl’, the KARA members each performed their hidden talents on the show. KARA leader GyuRi then instantly broke into a song showing her vocal powers in front of DaeSung. Kang Ji Yeong who is known to be DaeSung’s fan, also sang a song in front of DaeSung.

And DaeSung picked Kang Ji Yeong in the end. This episode will air on the 9th.

Source: kbites

Girl group Kara explained the story behind how they earned the title “shikshin group.”

Recently in an interview with Star Today, Kara, with their pure and cute appearances, discussed each members appetites and dorm life.

“All the members have a great appetite at all times, so we’ve been labeled the ’shikshin group’ since our debut,” said Seungyeon, bursting with laughter.

“I have an interest in cooking to I prepare various special foods for the members,” said Nicole, revealing an unexpected side of her. “Not long ago I made rice cakes and rice balls and the members all said it was delicious,” she added proudly.

Kara, who have all been living together in the dorm since before their debut, was asked the question, “how do you generally spend your time in the dorm?” They answered, “we’ve hardly had free time on our hands, but if there is, then we’ve been watching DVDs that fans have given to us as presents. Recently we’ve been been fans of ‘Boys Over Flowers.’”

“Since the character Yoon Jihoo is played by Kim Hyunjoong sunbae from our same management, we have special interest in it. Since it’s not his usual self, so frankly we’re a bit at a loss of words,” said Gyuri laughing.

When asked the question of how difficult it was to be living away from parents at such a young age, they answered, “all the members are constantly in contact with their parents,”–it was clear that they missed their families a lot.

Meanwhile, Kara, who has finally risen to the top of the music world for the first time since their debut with <Pretty Girl> and <Honey> will end promotions in April in preparation for their next album.

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Link: http://news.mk.co.kr/outside/view.php?year…9&no=177256
Link by: Mae
Translated by: Tinggg @ KARAholic.com

Popular group Kara’s Nicole got a sudden kiss from a male student at Sejong University.

It happened after Sejong University’s “gag gang” students did a performance of “soccer king shoot-dori.” After the students showed their talent, they had a plea for Kara’s Nicole.

Since it was directed to just Nicole, she was surprised, so after a pause the male student just went and gave a sudden kiss to Nicole. Nicole was so shocked that she jumped around the stage, and could not hide her surprise.

Not just Nicole, but no one could have predicted this would happen, all the audience at Sejong University were shocked, too. The other Kara members had to console her.

Nicole said on <Star Golden Bell> “that she never had a boyfriend before.” With this surprise kiss, we could see Nicole’s cute surprised expression.

Nicole’s shocking kiss incident can be seen on KBS’s <Road Show Quiz Expedition – Sejong University> at 10:45am on the 15th. The male student who kissed Nicole was the 2nd round winner of <60 second showdown>.

*****
Link: http://www.bizplace.co.kr/biz_html/content…code=&code=
Link by: Mae
Translated by: Tinggg @ KARAholic.com

Being pushed aside by Girls Generation, and always behind Wonder Girls – these two factors brought about a lot of sadness to the group. While watching peer groups shine at the year end awards in 2007, Han Seung Yeon (21) shed tears.

After their first album, group KARA had a long hiatus, left inactive while other girl groups soared. Adding to this, member Kim Sunghee left the KARA, forcing the group to add two new members Goo Hara (18) and Kang Ji Young (15). The group now transformed into a 5 member group, which proved to be a wise decision, as they were able to start off anew with both <Pretty Girl> and <Honey>, which are now certified hits.

These 5 girls finally bagged their first number one hit, 2 years into their debut, with <Honey> on Mcountdown last week. They cried so much to the point that their make-ups were gone and they could not perform their encore properly. The members, who were a very tired, due to their lack of sleep as they only rested 3-4 hours in a day felt so happy upon receiving the award that it all seemed like a dream.

“Because of the honesty that we have, as seen by how much we cried when we won first place, and the fact that we worked so hard to get to this point, are the reasons why we are here today.” (Park Gyuri)

The members found themselves succeed in the gaps of the world of girl idol groups. After failing with their first album, they did not stop working, appearing in variety programs and cable networks, which earned them the nickname of ‘next-door idols’. KARA started to gain mainstream attention when Nicole became a part of KBS2’s Star Golden Bell, appearing in the ‘Level with Me’ corner, quizzing the guests with her stammering Korean and witty explanations. Next, there was the Zoo Zoo club, which gave the viewers an insight of how the groups dorms looked like, and in a special New Year episode, Hara took part in a boxing competition, showing a tough side to her, which is very different from her doll-like image. ‘We may not be popular, but we are a hard working group’ – this was the motto of the group, and slowly, their honesty and bright smiles started to catch the attention of many.

The song that brought them to the number one position is <Honey>. The concept of the song allows the girls look like princess, while dancing cutely to the song. When they appeared for todays interview, they were made-up perfectly, wearing lacey dresses. Gyuri explained “Originally, our male and female fans were almost equal in number, but with <Honey>, we now have more male fans.” Now, even the older male fans – uncle fans, are going wild over them. “Recently, we saw a fan in his 40’s who very shyly attended our fan meeting” she said with a smile.

Its true that it is difficult being compared to other idol girl groups. However, Nicole explained that “I’m close to my Girl’s Generation Unnis, and I also like Wonder Girls very much. We are fans of each other, and since we get to see each other’s performances, we learn a lot from one another.”

When asked how their dorm lives were – “Currently, we are addicted to <Boys over Flowers>. Eating while watching TV or movies is the best”, they all quipped unanimously. Since they all lack rest, they say that eating together is their happiest activity. Books (Hara), Movies (Gyuri), Cooking (Nicole) Foreign language (Seungyeon) – the girls all go back to what they like the most, as they try to live a normal life as best as possible, doing what other girls their age regularly fo. Of course, maknae Jiyoung, a first year high school student says “I’ll go to school and I will study hard”.

We asked them who their <Honey> was. Hara said “our fans”, to which Seungyeon said, “the bible”. But in the end, they all agreed and said “Our parents and our families.”

MK NEWS LINK thanks to mae! smile.gif
translated by coffeebeanie@KARAholic