THIS K-pop icon, which debuted in 2007, is gaining positive feedback for their latest release amid the dance crazes created by fourth-generation girl groups like IVE, NewJeans and LE SSERAFIM!
KARA Releases Special Album 'MOVE AGAIN,' Earns Rave Reviews
On November 29, KARA, one of the second-gen girl group leaders who debuted in 2007, made a comeback for the first time in seven years!
On the same day, they served their 15th-anniversary special album, "MOVE AGAIN," presenting songs such as the title track "WHEN I MOVE" that highlights their powerful vocals. The album depicts the message that they will not be afraid and freely show KARA's "new image."
Upon its release, the album and its songs immediately topped the Bugs real-time and daily charts, a major music site in Korea, and also topped the Japanese iTunes K-pop song chart, album chart, and music video charts.
On social media platforms, global K-pop fans celebrated their comeback stage by using hashtags such as #KARA, which also ranked second in real-time trends on Twitter around the world, proving its popularity.
At the same time, the group clearly showed its presence as a legendary girl group who has a sense of entertainment by appearing on various entertainment programs such as "Knowing Bros," "IU's Palette," "Dingo Killing Voice," and "MMTG - Civilization Express."
In particular, the "Dingo Killing Voice" video, which presents a highlight medley of their hit songs is receiving explosive responses with 6.34 million views on YouTube as of the fifth day of its release.
- "I'm happy to see KARA again, the same group that I love when I was in high school."
- "I can feel the skills of the second-generation girl group and the ease of 15 years."
- "Even if some groups have a lot of experience, it's obvious when they rest (hiatus) but I don't feel that way at all with KARA."
Reasons KARA Is Receiving Fiery Responses From K-pop Fans, Industry
KARA is a team that enjoyed its heyday with hit songs "Lupin," "Mr.," "STEP," "Mamma Mia," and more. The group is not only popular in South Korea but in other countries, especially in Japan.
Unfortunately, they had to stop their activities despite fame following members' exclusive contract expiration with its agency in 2016.
Another factor in the decline of their activities was due to members' changes, such as when Nicole and Jiyoung initially withdrew in 2014, substituted by Youngji.
Thus, when they announced their return to the music scene, fans felt nostalgic, reminiscing about their previous hit songs.
In particular, when they showed a successful comeback stage at the 2022 Mama Awards with all the members who could not be seen on one stage before due to the lack of overlapping activities, even TXT Soobin and IU couldn't contain their happiness with the reunion.
K-pop idols also commemorated their reunion by doing the song's dance challenge.
Fans also highlighted how the song "WHEN I MOVE" is just perfect, capturing their second-gen sense but at the same time, sounding like a song released in the 4th-gen.
Their vocals and dance skills remain remarkable. Despite the seven-year hiatus, their powerful performance established their position as one of the most iconic groups who once entered Gallup Korea in 5th place.
Further, the members' visuals are top-tier! The oldest member Gyuri and Seungyeon are 88-liners, but their unrelenting beauty is still at par with fourth-gen visual idols. Nicole ('91), Jiyoung ('94) and Youngji ('94) also stood out for their youthful visuals.
But of course, the undeniable chemistry between the members who remain close to each other despite being on hiatus for a long time warms fans' hearts. They also conveyed a love for the late Goo Hara, a former co-member, by leaving an empty seat for her in their official music video.
KARA's official music program activities unfortunately ended. They wrapped up their brief domestic activities with SBS Inkigayo.
But KARA is only starting as they are set to release a Japanese version of the "Move Again" album on December 21 and hold fan meetings in Osaka and Fukuoka, Japan, in February next year.
READ MORE: 6 K-Pop Groups That Reunited Despite Members Under Different Companies
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Written by Eunice Dawson.
