Kara, Standing Tall in the Rising of Girl Group Popularity

Last few months in the music industry have been dominated by the nine girl member group, SNSD. But, amidst of SNSD’s dominance, there is one group that has been clearly showing their abilities to the audience. Their activity in the entertainment business surpasses what they had showed in the past, greatly.

The main character of this story is Kara.

Kara became the number one at ‘M! Countdown’ last week with their second promotional song, ‘Honey’. This is the first time they became number one since their debut in March, 2007.

With the energy they got from this win, Kara was able to win the ‘Mutizen Song’ on SBS’ ‘Inkigayo’ on the eighth.

Each fiver members of Kara are also appearing on many radio and tv shows like ‘Sixth Sense Quiz’ (SBS) and ‘Star Golden Bell’ (KBS), where they are pursuing their solo activities

It is not an exaggeration now that Kara has become one of the top girl groups in the music industry, along with Wonder Girls and Girl’s Generation.

It is postulated that the main reason for their sudden rise in popularity is because of Kara’s record company’s decision to use the time when there was a “break” in the music industry.

Taking the success of SNSD and WG with their more womanly, mature, and perfect image in to consideration, DSP Media strategized to give Kara a different image; a more friendlier, cuter and brighter image.

This strategy of DSP Media for Kara started since last year with ‘Rock U’ and continued on to this year with the second mini album’s title track, ‘Pretty Girl’, as well as ‘Honey’. The new image could be easily seen with their easy lyrics and melody as well as their cute clothes and choreography.

The Kara fans’ trademark cheering, the red rubber glove ‘Ye Ye Ye’ cheering, also added to Kara’s cute and familiar image.

Through their solo activities, they were also able to spread each member’s names to the fans, which in turn played a part in raising Kara’s popularity.

Han Seung Yeon was able to show her cuteness and truthfulness to the fans through MBC Everyone’s ‘Family Needed, MBC’s ‘Section TV”, and SBS’ ‘Sixth Sense Quiz’.

Currently, Nicole was able to use her “shortcomings” to her advantages by appearing on KBS 2TV’s ‘Star Golden Bell’s Level With Me’ corner. On this corner, Nicole gives hints of the words or adages, with her creativity twist on them, to the other guests to guess. Because Nicole has lived in the States until middle school, she is not as fluent in Korean as other celebrities.

Also, the leader, Park Gyuri, is able to show her wittiness and her quickness with words by appearing on many different radio shows.

Kara was able to become strong because of the hardships that they went through.

Kara debuted as a four member group. But, after the former member, Kim Sunghee, withdrew from the group, Kara decided to transform from four member to five member group. This switch added the two new members, Goo Hara and Kang Ji Young, to the group.

One DSP associate said, “Because of the member swap, Kara has become more passionate about music as well as becoming a tighter group.”

Because Kara has become one of the top three girl groups, it is exciting to see what Kara is going to bring out next.


Take out with full credits.
Credit: Star News Tip off: anne
Translated by: hopelesshong@Karaholic.com