.ehem. I've seen a lot of new topic here about Kpop groups recently, so let me share one of my favorites too.
Kara (카라, often stylized as KARA) is a K-pop girl group from South Korea signed with DSP Media (DSP).
Kara started as a four-member group and debuted with their first album The First Blooming in 2007. In 2008, Kim Sunghee departed the group due to parental pressure, and two members were brought in; as such, the group consists of five members: Park Gyuri, Han Seung-yeon, Goo Hara, Nicole Jung and Kang Jiyoung. The five-member band achieved their first number one song with "Honey".
Debut
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Sung Hee, Gyuri, Nicole, SungYeon
Current[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
JiYoung, Nicole, SungYeon, Gyuri, Hara
The group has released two full-length albums — The First Blooming and Revolution — along with various EPs. Kara has won various awards, including the Best Dance Award at the M.net Asian Music Awards and Best Female Singer at the 16th Korean Entertainment Arts Awards.
The group eventually made their debut in Japan on 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. The group also released their first Japanese album, Girl's Talk which was eventually certified as Platinum by the RIAJ. By February 2011, Kara's "Jumping" and "Mister" singles have received Platinum and double Platinum certificates respectively from RIAJ. In March, Kara was hailed as the first foreign female artist to top Oricon’s Composite DVD Chart and the first foreign artist to top the said chart for 2 consecutive weeks. In April 2011 with their 3rd single "Jet Coaster Love", Kara became the first foreign female group since the creation of the Oricon (43 years ago) to rank #1 in the 1st week of release and the first foreign female group in 30 years to rank #1 in the charts all together. They are also the first Korean girl group to top the Oricon Weekly Single Chart. Their official fanclub is Kamilia, a combination of KARA and familia (family). Their official balloon color is pearl peach.
Early work
Prior joining Kara, both Park Gyuri and Han Seungyeon were child actresses. Park's first appearance was on Today is a Nice Day in 1995. She later appeared as the teenage version of Kim Jung Eun's character in Ladies of the Palace in 2001. Han Seungyeon appeared in uncredited cameo roles in several television dramas, most notably in Star in My Heart in 1997. Goo Hara was an online shopping mall model before debuting, having been scouted after her photos were uploaded onto DSP's homepage.
Crisis of request for contract termination
On January 19, 2011, a lawyer representing four of the five Kara members announced to the media that they would be terminating their contract with DSP Entertainment, effective immediately; a lawsuit was also filed on their behalf. Park Gyuri, the leader of the group, was the only one remaining with the management company. In a statement, the lawyer representing the four stated that "the company repeatedly denied any requests and unilaterally forced tasks upon the members", and that they have been preparing for legal action for two months. Later that day, it was announced that Goo Hara would discontinue her involvement with the suit and has rejoined the company, as she apparently was not fully aware of the lawsuit's details. In a statement, DSP Entertainment firmly rebutted all accusations, also stating that they wished to resolve the issues and reconcile with the members quickly. DSP also denied earlier reports of denying Kara members their fair share of profits, stating that each member was paid ₩300,000,000 for their work.
The lawyer for the three remaining members released another statement giving further details of their allegations. Their representatives stated that they were misinformed regarding their Japanese promotions, and that their relationship with the company severely deteriorated with the hospitalization of CEO Lee Ho-yeon in March 2010.
On April 28, 2011, the dispute happened between DSP Entertainment and Kara's 3 members (Han Seung-yeon, Nicole Jung, Kang Ji-young) were all resolved.
Discography
Korean Discography
Studio Albums
- The First Blooming (March 29, 2007)
- Revolution (July 28, 2009)
Mini Albums
- Rock U (July 25, 2008)
- Pretty Girl (December 04, 2008)
- Lupin (February 17, 2010)
- Jumping (November 10, 2010)
Japanese Discography
Studio Albums
- Girl's Talk (February 24, 2010)
Singles
- Mr. (August 11, 2010)
- Jumpin (November 10, 2010)
- Jet Coaster Love (April 06, 2011)
- Go GO Summer (June 29, 2011)
Compilation Albums
- Kara Best 2007-2010 (September 29, 2010)
- Kara Best Clips (February 23, 2011)
Members
Gyuri(Leader/Main Vocals)
Real Name: Park Gyu Ri (박규리)
Stage Name: Gyuri (규리)
Nickname: Gyul, Gyul Omma, Goddess , Mirror Princess, LeGYulas, Shikshin, Carrot
Birthdate: May 21, 1988 (age 23)
Seung Yeon(Lead Vocals)
Real Name: Han Seung Yeon (한승연)
Stage Name: Seung Yeon (승연)
Nickname: Ham, Choding, Big-smile-no-eyes
Birthdate: July 24, 1988 (age 22)
Nicole(Rapper/Main Vocals)
Real Name: Nicole Jung (니콜정)
Stage Name: Nicole (니콜)
Korean Name: Jung Yong Joo (정용주)
Nickname: Yongjoo, Tweety, Cole, Nikori
Birth date: October 7, 1991 (age 19)
Hara(Sub Vocals)
Real Name: Goo Ha Ra (구하라)
Stage Name: Hara (하라)
Nickname: Koala, Honey, Gura
Birthdate: January 13, 1991 (age 20)
Ji Young
Real Name: Kang Ji Young (강지영)
Stage Name: Ji Young (지영)
Nickname: Jing, Kang Jara (turtle), Kang Ah Ji (puppy), Rice-Cake (because of her fair skin tone)
Birthdate: January 18, 1994 (age 17)
Former Member
Sung Hee(Main Vocals)
Real Name: Kim Sung Hee (김성희)
Stage Name: Sung Hee (성희)
Role in KARA: Atmosphere maker/Vitamin
Birth date: May 17, 1989 (age 22)
Official Website: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
International Forum: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Fan Cafe: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Kara (카라, often stylized as KARA) is a K-pop girl group from South Korea signed with DSP Media (DSP).
Kara started as a four-member group and debuted with their first album The First Blooming in 2007. In 2008, Kim Sunghee departed the group due to parental pressure, and two members were brought in; as such, the group consists of five members: Park Gyuri, Han Seung-yeon, Goo Hara, Nicole Jung and Kang Jiyoung. The five-member band achieved their first number one song with "Honey".
Debut
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Sung Hee, Gyuri, Nicole, SungYeon
Current[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
JiYoung, Nicole, SungYeon, Gyuri, Hara
The group has released two full-length albums — The First Blooming and Revolution — along with various EPs. Kara has won various awards, including the Best Dance Award at the M.net Asian Music Awards and Best Female Singer at the 16th Korean Entertainment Arts Awards.
The group eventually made their debut in Japan on 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. The group also released their first Japanese album, Girl's Talk which was eventually certified as Platinum by the RIAJ. By February 2011, Kara's "Jumping" and "Mister" singles have received Platinum and double Platinum certificates respectively from RIAJ. In March, Kara was hailed as the first foreign female artist to top Oricon’s Composite DVD Chart and the first foreign artist to top the said chart for 2 consecutive weeks. In April 2011 with their 3rd single "Jet Coaster Love", Kara became the first foreign female group since the creation of the Oricon (43 years ago) to rank #1 in the 1st week of release and the first foreign female group in 30 years to rank #1 in the charts all together. They are also the first Korean girl group to top the Oricon Weekly Single Chart. Their official fanclub is Kamilia, a combination of KARA and familia (family). Their official balloon color is pearl peach.
Early work
Prior joining Kara, both Park Gyuri and Han Seungyeon were child actresses. Park's first appearance was on Today is a Nice Day in 1995. She later appeared as the teenage version of Kim Jung Eun's character in Ladies of the Palace in 2001. Han Seungyeon appeared in uncredited cameo roles in several television dramas, most notably in Star in My Heart in 1997. Goo Hara was an online shopping mall model before debuting, having been scouted after her photos were uploaded onto DSP's homepage.
Crisis of request for contract termination
On January 19, 2011, a lawyer representing four of the five Kara members announced to the media that they would be terminating their contract with DSP Entertainment, effective immediately; a lawsuit was also filed on their behalf. Park Gyuri, the leader of the group, was the only one remaining with the management company. In a statement, the lawyer representing the four stated that "the company repeatedly denied any requests and unilaterally forced tasks upon the members", and that they have been preparing for legal action for two months. Later that day, it was announced that Goo Hara would discontinue her involvement with the suit and has rejoined the company, as she apparently was not fully aware of the lawsuit's details. In a statement, DSP Entertainment firmly rebutted all accusations, also stating that they wished to resolve the issues and reconcile with the members quickly. DSP also denied earlier reports of denying Kara members their fair share of profits, stating that each member was paid ₩300,000,000 for their work.
The lawyer for the three remaining members released another statement giving further details of their allegations. Their representatives stated that they were misinformed regarding their Japanese promotions, and that their relationship with the company severely deteriorated with the hospitalization of CEO Lee Ho-yeon in March 2010.
On April 28, 2011, the dispute happened between DSP Entertainment and Kara's 3 members (Han Seung-yeon, Nicole Jung, Kang Ji-young) were all resolved.
Discography
Korean Discography
Studio Albums
- The First Blooming (March 29, 2007)
- Revolution (July 28, 2009)
Mini Albums
- Rock U (July 25, 2008)
- Pretty Girl (December 04, 2008)
- Lupin (February 17, 2010)
- Jumping (November 10, 2010)
Japanese Discography
Studio Albums
- Girl's Talk (February 24, 2010)
Singles
- Mr. (August 11, 2010)
- Jumpin (November 10, 2010)
- Jet Coaster Love (April 06, 2011)
- Go GO Summer (June 29, 2011)
Compilation Albums
- Kara Best 2007-2010 (September 29, 2010)
- Kara Best Clips (February 23, 2011)
Members
Gyuri(Leader/Main Vocals)
Real Name: Park Gyu Ri (박규리)
Stage Name: Gyuri (규리)
Nickname: Gyul, Gyul Omma, Goddess , Mirror Princess, LeGYulas, Shikshin, Carrot
Birthdate: May 21, 1988 (age 23)
Seung Yeon(Lead Vocals)
Real Name: Han Seung Yeon (한승연)
Stage Name: Seung Yeon (승연)
Nickname: Ham, Choding, Big-smile-no-eyes
Birthdate: July 24, 1988 (age 22)
Nicole(Rapper/Main Vocals)
Real Name: Nicole Jung (니콜정)
Stage Name: Nicole (니콜)
Korean Name: Jung Yong Joo (정용주)
Nickname: Yongjoo, Tweety, Cole, Nikori
Birth date: October 7, 1991 (age 19)
Hara(Sub Vocals)
Real Name: Goo Ha Ra (구하라)
Stage Name: Hara (하라)
Nickname: Koala, Honey, Gura
Birthdate: January 13, 1991 (age 20)
Ji Young
Real Name: Kang Ji Young (강지영)
Stage Name: Ji Young (지영)
Nickname: Jing, Kang Jara (turtle), Kang Ah Ji (puppy), Rice-Cake (because of her fair skin tone)
Birthdate: January 18, 1994 (age 17)
Former Member
Sung Hee(Main Vocals)
Real Name: Kim Sung Hee (김성희)
Stage Name: Sung Hee (성희)
Role in KARA: Atmosphere maker/Vitamin
Birth date: May 17, 1989 (age 22)
Official Website: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
International Forum: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Fan Cafe: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
kara!
