Kara is a South Korean girl group that was formed by DSP Media in 2007. The group experienced several changes in its line-up over the years and has consisted of the members, Park Gyu-ri, Seungyeon, Nicole, Ji-young, Young-ji, Hara, and Sunghee. With very little time, Kara was able to establish itself as one of the most successful K-pop groups of the second generation. Furthermore, the group has succeeded in creating a strong fan base in Japan as well. Some of the band’s most chart-topping numbers include songs like Pretty Girl, Mister, Honey, Step, Wanna, We’re With U, Rock U, Jumping, Lupin, Pandora, Mamma Mia, etc. In 2022, Kara surprised its dedicated fans by announcing their comeback on the group’s 15th anniversary.
Members
Park Gyu-ri (2007–2016; 2022–Present)Han Seung-yeon (2007–2016; 2022–Present)Nicole Jung (2007–2014; 2022–Present)Kang Ji-young (2008–2014; 2022–Present)Heo Young-ji (2014–2016; 2022–Present)Past Members
Sunghee (2007–2008)Goo Hara (2008–2016; died 2019)Origin
Seoul, South Korea
Genres
K-pop, J-pop, R&B, Synthpop, Disco, Electropop
Labels
- DSP Media
- Rainbow Bridge World
Formation Date
2007
Singing Portfolio
- The group’s debut album The First Bloooooming (2007), consisting of the lead single Break It, peaked at the 2nd spot on the Gaon Album Chart.
- The group gained widespread popularity with hit singles like Mister, Wanna, etc. from their 2nd album, Revolution which was released in 2009.
- Step, the band’s fourth studio album peaked at the top spot upon its release in 2011.
Kara Facts
Park Gyu-ri is the leader of the group.The band’s name Kara is a Greek word that translates as ”sweet melody’ in English.Park Gyu-ri and Seung-yeon are the shortest members in the band with a height of 5 feet and 3 inches. Moreover, Nicole, Young-ji, and Ji-young are the tallest members with a height of 5 feet and 5 inches.The group’s fandom is called ‘Kamilia’ and it is formed by combining the words ‘Kara’ and ‘Familia’ (or Family).The group’s first run ended in 2016 after the members Gyu-ri, Seung-yeon, and Hara declined to renew their contracts with DSP Media in January 2016.Park Gyu-ri is the oldest member of the group while Heo Young-ji is the youngest member of Kara.On July 14, 2012, the group was one of the 4 acts that performed at the MTV World Stage in Malaysia. They were in good company as the other artists included Justin Bieber, the Malaysian singer Mizz Nina, and Jay Park.In 2012, Kara became the first-ever girl group in K-pop history to have their figure dolls created after each member of the group.All past members like Gyu-ri, Seung-yeon, Ji-young, Nicole, and Young-ji decided to reunite for the group’s 15th anniversary in 2022. The only exceptions were Sunghee, who had left the band in 2008 and Hara, who had committed suicide in November 2019.At the time of their launch in 2007, Kara was being promoted as worthy successors of the phenomenally successful first-generation K-pop act known as Fin.K.L, who were also from DSP Media.Featured Image by Studio Flo / Wikimedia / CC BY 3.0
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