kara ★ jumps to their second thread!

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

I think the fact that Kara has changed the type of music they release in Japan compared to Korea will be extremely beneficial to them in the long run.

Other groups release either A) Japanese versions of Korean songs, or B) very similar music to what they would release in Korea.

But the reason both A and B are able to do well now is because of the popularity of everything "Korean."

Kara, however, have incorporated a lot of Japanese themes into their releases. Specifically GO GO Summer for it's throwback to 1990's Eurobeat and summer theme, and Winter Love for the pop-ballad aspect and winter theme. They also seem to be moving away from a sexier image to a cute image. In Japan, cute will forever trump sexy.

I believe they will be one of the groups that have the longest amount of success.

But that's just how I feel.

[AyumiAi]

Originally Posted by tokyoxjapanxfan

I think the fact that Kara has changed the type of music they release in Japan compared to Korea will be extremely beneficial to them in the long run.

Other groups release either A) Japanese versions of Korean songs, or B) very similar music to what they would release in Korea.

But the reason both A and B are able to do well now is because of the popularity of everything "Korean."

Kara, however, have incorporated a lot of Japanese themes into their releases. Specifically GO GO Summer for it's throwback to 1990's Eurobeat and summer theme, and Winter Love for the pop-ballad aspect and winter theme. They also seem to be moving away from a sexier image to a cute image. In Japan, cute will forever trump sexy.

I believe they will be one of the groups that have the longest amount of success.

But that's just how I feel.

I think I have to agree with you, Kara is doing amazingly in Japan but I think it's because their music suits the Japanese, and so does their image, it's a very Japanese look as opposed to korean ish which I think will fade eventually but kara wont X) I didn't like kara until i started listening to their Japanese music, happens with every kpop group i didnt like, I didnt like SNSD until i heard their first japanese album, even now they irk me sometimes but i like their japanese stuff :3

[dreamland2.0]

Kara on Kouhaku!

[adantatu2]

they look gorgeous, and they sang Mr. again

[y_nathz]

yep I love how Kara tries to fit their image and releases to something that can be accepted by the Japanese more easily, I think that's why they're Japan's favorite Kpop girlgroup
and thanks for the Kouhaku perf, love

[AyusakiFan]

KARA has announced that they will be releasing their 6th Japanese single "Speed Up/Girl's Power" on March 21st. It will be released in 4 editions:

Speed Up/Girl's Power [CD DVD] first press limited edition A / 1,980 yen

Speed Up/Girl's Power [CD DVD] first press limited edition B / 1,980 yen

Speed Up/Girl's Power [CD Only] first press limited edition C / 1,260 yen

Speed Up/Girl's Power normal version (limited edition C as soon as it's sold out start of production) /1,050 yen

Cr: Karaholic Forums

Also, it appears that KARA is currently on the market for a new record label in Japan since their contract with UMJ is up:

(This article came out last year so please take that into consideration when reading the article)

Record companies to fight for KARA in Japan

KARA‘s contract with their Japanese music label will officially end soon.

The girls have experienced some explosive popularity in Japan, and according to a entertainment insider, KARA’s contract with Universal Music Japan only requires them to release one additional album.

Other rival labels who have gotten wind of the news are swiftly trying to seal a new contract with the girls.

Hallyu management officials stated in detail, “Taking into consideration their fame in Japan along with their album sales to date, it would be easy for them to sign a contract for at least $8.5 million over three years“.

KARA is currently promoting in Japan under ‘Universal Music Japan’ but their contract with the music label will end early next year. Universal pitched an idea to KARA’s agency DSP Entertainment, requesting to lengthen the contract for another year or two, and they’re currently in negotiations.

The details of their new contract have not been revealed, but those in both the Korean & Japanese Entertainment industry are fully aware that because KARA is the hottest Hallyu idol in Japan right now, their demands will most likely be high & specific. Still, rival labels are making their best effort to offer KARA a better deal. They know the value of KARA in the Japanese entertainment market. Insiders believe that with their current status in Japan and the number of albums sold, they would require to be paid at least $2.5 million per year. ”As a whole, their annual sales from Japanese promotions alone probably equal close to $42 million… A cool $2.5 million annually should be easy.”

But not only are the girls the hottest girl group in Japan, they hold the records for most albums sold by a Korean artist. Their singles “Jetcoaster Love” as well as “Go Go Summer” both sold over 200,000 copies, and their “Mister” ringtone were downloaded by 750,000 consumers back in March. Thus, the girls were given the label ‘Triple Platinum’ by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.

The girls are constantly being asked to be featured on programs and guest-star on others, but they cannot accept all of the offers because they simply do not have enough time for all of them.

Cr: allkpop

[y_nathz]

I'm so proud with their status in the Japanese music industry
and yay for double A-side single!!

[adantatu2]

yay !!! a new single !!!
I wonder if both songs are like the past singles (JCL,GGS,WM) or maybe something different

[y_nathz]

^I got a feeling Girl's Power will sound like their previous stuff but how I wish Speed Up will be an intense upbeat track lol I don't think it would be bad to show Japan their different side one time

[AyusakiFan]

According to 95music, the limited edition version of the CD only (Type C) will include a Japanese version of STEP.

[bondingo]

^ THIS BETTER BE TRUE.

[AyusakiFan]

Originally Posted by bondingo

^ THIS BETTER BE TRUE.

I hope it's true as well but I'm a bit doubtful that they would remake a song in Japanese solely for a bonus track, especially since it's not something they've done before (they've never released a double A-side single either so who knows, lol). Considering that the song seems to be quite popular in Japan (their "STEP IT UP" DVD seems to be doing well on Oricon from when I last checked), I do believe that we'll get a Japanese version (if not as a title track but a b-side moreso than just a bonus). I guess we'll have to wait and see though.

[y_nathz]

If Step was popular in Japan I thought they'll make it as the single's title track to get moar money but well..

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

Please don't sign with Avex, girls. They don't do anything for their artists anymore.

Though I wouldn't mind seeing them at a-nation had they signed xD

And good news about a new single! Can't wait for more details.

[y_nathz]

actually Avex did pretty fine for After School's Japanese debut but Kara staying in Universal is fine though

[AyusakiFan]

Originally Posted by y_nathz

If Step was popular in Japan I thought they'll make it as the single's title track to get moar money but well..

With the amount of popularity that they have in Japan, all they have to do is release something and it's practically guaranteed to sell well so I don't think they necessarily have to make it a title track just to be able to sell more singles (it would make sense though so I get what you're saying). I assumed that "STEP was popular in Japan because they felt strongly enough about it to release the "Step It Up" DVD which is solely focused on the "STEP" MV. The information regarding the DVD was never posted in this thread, so I'll post it here just in case anyone is interested:



DISC 1: (approx. 89mins)
01 MUSIC VIDEO FULL ver.
02 MAKING FILM
03 SPECIAL ANGLES1. CLOSE-UP ver.
04 SPECIAL ANGELS2. DANCE ver. STAGE ver. / STREET ver. / WHITE ver.
05 SPECIAL ANGLES3. MEMBER ver. (Solo ver.) GYU RI ver. / SEUNG YEON ver. / NICOLE ver. HARA ver. / JI YOUNG ver.

DISC 2: (approx. 64mins)
01 INTERVIEW
02 SPECIAL PHOTO SLIDE SHOW
03 STAFF SCROLL (including collection of NG)

Video Advertising the DVD Set:

[y_nathz]

thanks, tbh I never knew it existed before xD *bad Kamilia lol*

[ayu_ready?]

Originally Posted by tokyoxjapanxfan

Please don't sign with Avex, girls. They don't do anything for their artists anymore.

oh God yes

[AyusakiFan]

Originally Posted by y_nathz

thanks, tbh I never knew it existed before xD *bad Kamilia lol*

It's a limited release and was released on the 15th of this month. It sold out during the preordering stage on YA but it is still available on CDJapan, HMV, and Amazon Japan if you are interested in. They've been releasing quite a few items recently so it's hard to keep up, lol.

[ayu_ready?]

heard about new scandal? KARA's manager is among some radical North Korea groups...
http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/3408344.html