Following the news that KARA featured the late Goo Hara's vocals in its new single, "Hello," there are accusations that the group used AI. But here's what happened
.On July 16, KARA finally made its much-awaited return to the music scene as a six-member group with its pre-release single, "Hello," which was made available on various music sites.
"Hello" will also be a track on its upcoming digital single album, "I Do I Do," which will be unveiled on July 24. This song depicts the double meaning of the greeting "Hello (Annyeong)," which could mean meeting and parting.
In the song, music fans can hear the six members' calm, dreamy, and heavenly vocals while conveying various emotions of the word "Hello," including the joy of reuniting again and the sadness of parting.
As a gift to fans, KARA's song featured the vocals of the late Goo Hara, adding to the warmth that their fandom, Kamilia, felt while listening to the track.However, some internet users have to ruin this special moment between the group and their fans as it was speculated that KARA used AI.
Some even criticized the group and their company for doing it now, ridiculously accusing them of "exploiting" the deceased female icon.
Hara already said back then that they recorded this song before and it was on Sweetune's drafts so she decided to release it as a solo in Japanese. Her voice was included in the original song and they didn't use AI !!
— 💌 (slow) (@karaclock) July 16, 2024
I know everyone is happy for this and I get it but there is something that just feel exploitative. Hara told people that she was depressed and that damn company did nothing. Hara was dealing with a crazy ass ex. Where was that company? No where to be found. https://t.co/Cehq2vnP9M
— 🇺🇸 Curlyixing ⚽️ (@curlyixing) July 16, 2024
However, Kamilias immediately jumped to defend KARA and explained that they didn't use AI, as the song was already recorded when Hara was still alive. The song was also not new as during her lifetime, Hara first dropped the same song and title as a Japanese track under her album, "Midnight Queen" in November 2019.
RBW and DSP Media, KARA's label clarified:
"'Hello' was originally scheduled to be included on KARA's 4th regular album, 'Full Bloom' released in September 2013. However, it was completed as a full 6-member version with the addition of the late Goo Hara's voice recorded in Korean during her lifetime."
Meaning, This means no AI has been used since the song was recorded by Goo Hara a decade ago.
Regarding concerns that it was "exploitation" both KARA and the bereaved family are said to positively give a go signal to it. News1 said:
"The idea of including the late Hara's voice was largely the KARA members' opinion. The idea of including Goo Hara's voice was also a positive one for the members. It is also said that Goo Hara's bereaved family readily agreed to include the deceased's voice after hearing the sincerity of the members."
Lastly, regarding questions about why it was only now that the label decided to include the song, RBW & DSP Media bowed its head and explained:
"We felt regretful for not being able to work with Goo Hara during the promotions for our 15th-anniversary special album, 'MOVE AGAIN'.
So, for the fans who have always supported and missed the full KARA, we decided to complete the song 'Hello' that we worked on together in the past as a six-member version."
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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz
