[Profile] KARA

KARA

OLD KARA

NEW KARA

GROUP

Kara (카라, often stylized as KARA) is a girl group from South Korea signed with Daesung Entertainment (DSP). The band name Kara comes from the Greek Word “chara” (χαρά, lit. “joy”),  which the group interpreted to mean “sweet melody”.

Kara started as a four-member group and debuted with their first album The First Blooming in 2007. In 2008, Kim Sunghee departed the group due to parental pressure, and two members were brought in; as such, the group consists of five members: Park Gyuri, Han Seung-yeon, Goo Hara, Jung Nicole and Kang Jiyoung. The five-member band achieved their first number one song with “Honey”. Other singles include “Pretty Girl”, “Wanna”, “Mister”, and “Lupin.”

The group has released two full-length albums — The First Blooming and Revolution — along with various EPs. Kara has won various awards, including the Best Dance Award at the M.net Asian Music Awards and Best Female Singer at the 16th Korean Entertainment Arts Awards.

Kara began to promote internationally in various Asian countries as of 2009.

Fanclub Name: Kamillia

Fanclub Color: Pearl Pink

Label: DSP Entertainment (Korea)

Universal Sigma (Japan)

Discography:

Korea:

Albums:

1.      The First Blooming

• Format: CD
• Release Date: March 29, 2007
• Record Label: Daesung Entertainment

2.      Revolution

• Format: CD
• Release Date: July 30, 2009
• Record Label: Daesung Entertainment

Mini Albums:

1.      Rock U

• Format: CD
• Release Date: July 31, 2008
• Record Label: Daesung Entertainment

2.      Pretty Girl

• Format: CD
• Release Date: December 4, 2008
• Record Label: Daesung Entertainment

3.      Pretty Girl (Special Edition)

• Format: CD
• Release Date: February 18, 2009
• Record Label: Daesung Entertainment

4.      Lupin

• Format: CD
• Release Date: February 17, 2010
• Record Label: Daesung Entertainment
• Sold: 23,276

5.   Jumping

• Format: CD
• Release Date: November 10, 2010
• Record Label: Daesung Entertainment

Digital Single:

• “Good Day: Season 2” October 13, 2008
• “I-Musician” June 4, 2009
• “We’re With You” May 3, 2010
• “2Me” August 31, 2010

Collaboration:

• “Ggoom” – Sunha (Feat. Nicole) (2008)
• “Happy And” – Kang Kyun-Sung (Feat. Nicole) (2009)
• “Nolleowa” – Nassun (Feat. Han Seungyeon) (2009)
• “Nunibushyeo” – Jumper (Feat. Kang Jiyoung) (2009)
• “Dugeunduguen Tomorrow” – 4Tomorrow (Feat. Han Seungyeon) (2009)
• “Day After” – Hong Kyung Min (Feat. Park Gyuri) (2010)
• “Bingeul Bingeul” – No Brain (Feat. Han Seungyeon, Park Gyuri & Nicole) (2010)
• “Gorae” – Park Myungsoo (Feat. Nicole) (2010)

Japan:

• Album:

1. Garuzutoku (Girls Talk) (ガールズトーク)

• Format: CD
• Release Date: November 24, 2010
• Record Label: Universal Sigma

Compilation Albums:

1. Kara Special Premium Box for Japan

• Format: CD
• Release Date: April 28, 2010
• Record Label: Universal Sigma

2.      KARA Best 2007-2010

• Format: CD
• Release Date: September 29, 2010
• Record Label: Universal Sigma
• Sold: 100000+ (Gold)

Singles:

1. Mister (ミスター)

• Format: CD
• Release Date: August 11, 2010
• Record Label: Universal Sigma
• Sold: 100000+ (Gold)

2.      Jumping (ジャンピン)

• Format: CD
• Release Date: November 10, 2010
• Record Label: Universal Sigma

DVDs:

• MBC DVD Collection :: Kara Sweet Muse Gallery
• Kara Full DVD Box

Awards:

2007:

• Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Korea Culture & Content Agency: Best Newcomer Music Award in May
• Cyworld Digital Music Award (Rookie of the Month)

2009:

• M.net Asian Music Awards: Best Dance Award
• Melon Music Awards: 2009 Top Ten Award

2010:

• 16th Korean Entertainment Arts Awards: Best Female Singer
• 19th Seoul Music Awards : Bonsang Award

Website: http://kara.dspenter.com

 

MEMBERS

PARK GYURI (박 규리)

Welcome to the goddess’s realm, venture in and witness the sweet heavenly beauty of Kara’s very own goddess leader; be enchanted by her looks, in awe of her personality, and most of all, fall for her charm and wit. Be warned though, once you do there is no turning back!

NICKNAME:
◊ Gyul
◊ Gyul Omma
◊ Goddess
◊ Mirror Princess
◊ Shikshin
◊ Carrot

D.O.B:
◊ May 21, 1988

BLOOD TYPE:
◊ AB

FAVORITE COLOR:
◊ Purple

FAVORITE KOREAN ARTIST:
◊ H.O.T

FAVORITE WESTERN DISH:
◊ Pizza

MOST ATTRACTIVE PART OF HERSELF:
◊ Collar bone
◊ Eyes

SKILLS / TALENT:
◊ Singing
◊ Acting
◊ Impersonations
◊ “Goddess Concept” on T.V.

HOBBIES / INTEREST:
◊ Food
◊ Reading
◊ Watching Movies

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
◊ Currently attending Dongduk Women’s University – major in Broadcasting Communications

WORK HISTORY:
◊ Appeared in drama/sitcom “Today is a Nice Day” with Kang Ho Dong (age 7)
◊ Appeared in “Girls Like Pomegrenates” CF with Lee Junki
◊ Appeared in drama “Ladies of the Palace” (age 14)
◊ MC JPOP Wave
◊ Live Wannabe
◊ MC MBC Every1 Idol Army Show (Season 4)
◊ KBS Radio Sukira Kiss The Radio
◊ SBS Donggo Dongrak Radio
◊ MBC Starry Night Radio
◊ Group song for “Boys over Flower” OST Vol 2 – Love is Fire
◊ SBS Radio SS501 Music High (Temporary DJ)
◊ Group song for “Chasing Kangnam Mother” OST – Fighting
◊ Group song for “Naruto” ending theme – Butterfly
◊ Child Model
◊ KBS Star Golden Bell ( Regular Guest )
◊ ShimShimTaPa Radio Show( Hosting with SuperJunior Shindong )
◊ Participated in 2010 G20 Seoul Summit Theme Song

GYURI’S TRIVIA

SWEET FACTS:
◊ She came up with the group name KARA, which means “sweet melody” in Greek.
◊ She is the daughter of popular dubber/mixer Park Sohyun
◊ She is very close to her mother
◊ She is the only child
◊ Shares a very strong resemblance to her mother
◊ She is allergic to dogs but has two dogs named Nadia and Jang
◊ She is the perfect example of a leader; protects the members and always stands up for them
◊ She sleeps last and wakes up first
◊ Is a huge fan of H.O.T
◊ Can make a good impersonation of Jadu
◊ Is called “Goddess” by fans and her parents
◊ Fans call her “Gagman” (we call her “Gagwoman” though)
◊ She is very witty, outspoken, and hilarious.
◊ Her nickname “Mirror Princess” is because she likes to look in the mirror a lot
◊ She is considered as KARA’s omma because she is the oldest and looks after the members
◊ She likes to tease the maknaes Jiyoung and Nicole
◊ Her nickname “Shikshin” means ‘Goddess of Food’
◊ Her nickname “Gyul” was given to her by Sunghee
◊ Is part of the 88’ers club which also includes SeungYeon (KARA), Younha, and Yoobin (WG)
◊ Is currently studying Japanese
◊ She has visited many countries
◊ Her ideal boyfriend has to be “manly”
◊ She wants to venture into acting in the future but would like to be known as a singer
◊ Fellow members love and adore her a lot ♥ !!

cyworld: http://www.cyworld.com/052188

twitter: http://twitter.com/Gyuri88

 

HAN SEUNGYEON (한 승연)

Without a doubt, she’s simply Seungsational, with her sweet and enchanting eye smile, she will draw you in without you knowing. Not to mention her choding-like looks and refreshing charisma, you will be left even more intrigued. Get to know her playful and adorkable side as she transforms into Kara’s ham.

NICKNAME:
◊ Ham, Choding, Big-smile-no-eyes

D.O.B:
◊ July 24, 1988

BLOOD TYPE:
◊ A

FAVORITE COLOR:
◊ Pink

FAVORITE KOREAN ARTIST:
◊ G.O.D

MOST ATTRACTIVE PART OF HERSELF:
◊ Inside eyelids

SKILLS / TALENT:
◊ Singing
◊ Dancing (Pop Locking)
◊ Impersonating Gollum (Lord of the Rings)

HOBBIES / INTEREST:
◊ Reading
◊ Listening to music
◊ Watching Anime
◊ Making random cute sounds
◊ Hugging her mongshil Nicole

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
◊ Graduated from Tenafly High School (New Jersey)
◊ Currently on break from Kyunghee University – Majoring in Film Arts and Theatre

WORK HISTORY:
◊ MC MSL Break
◊ MC SSGB
◊ MC JPOP Wave
◊ MC MBC Section TV
◊ Live Wannabe
◊ MC MBC Every1 Idol Army Show (Season 4)
◊ KBS Radio MayBee Volume Up
◊ Group song for “Boys over Flower” OST Vol 2 – Love is Fire
◊ SBS Radio SS501 Music High (Temporary DJ)
◊ Featured in SS501’s Lucky Days MV
◊ Featured on Nassun’s Single – Come to Play
◊ Solo song for “Welcome to my House” OST
◊ Group song for “Chasing Kangnam Mother” OST – Fighting
◊ Short cameo in drama “Star in my Heart” (1997)
◊ Group song for “Naruto” ending theme – Butterfly
◊ SBS Sixth Sense Quiz
◊ Samsung CF (2009)

SEUNGYEON’S TRIVIA

SWEET FACTS:
◊ Once attended the Dream Concert as a G.O.D supporter
◊ Managed to attain a 100 on her TOEFL
◊ Is called “Haem” or “Ham” by Sunghee because she looks like a hamster
◊ She has the face of a ‘Choding’ (which means elementary student)
◊ Loves to make random sounds
◊ Loves anime, and downloads them when she feels stressed
◊ She was given business cards by different producers in the Convenient Store
◊ Her first love was during her teens at the age of 14
◊ She almost had the chance to attend medical school
◊ Refers to Younha as her ‘Honey’
◊ Prefers buying new gadgets (notebooks, psp, earphones etc) over clothes
◊ Re-took her college entrance examinations because she wasn’t satisfied with her previous marks
◊ Took the 2008 -2009 & 2010 – 2011 school year off to focus on KARA activities
◊ Dislikes doing the dishes
◊ She would like to venture into acting in the future
◊ She is part of the 88′ ers club with Gyuri (KARA), Youha, and Yoobin (WG)
◊ She’s a quiet person in reality unlike her image on TV
◊ Attended the same dance school as Hyori and Hyoyeon (SNSD)
◊ Her parents wanted her to be a doctor but she went against their dream for her own and now they fully support her
◊ Raising 2 hedgehogs

cyworld: http://www.cyworld.com/sghnsarg

twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/fateflysy

GOO HARA (구 하라)

Craving for some sweet relief? Why not try Kara’s very own honey? She is sweet and sassy and will leave you wanting for more! With just one look you are sure to be hooked, from her pretty doll-like features to her shining confidence and grace.

NICKNAME:
◊ Koala, Honey, Gura,
◊ Honey
◊ Gura
◊ ‘Goosain Bolt’ (‘Sweet Girl’ Chuseok special)
◊ ‘Badhr Hara’&’Gooslan Baraaf'(Lunar New Year `09 episode)
◊ ‘2nd Han ChaeYoung’//’Barbie doll’
◊ ‘Hara Goo’ (IY)

D.O.B:
◊ January 13, 1991

BLOOD TYPE:
◊ B

FAVORITE KOREAN ARTIST:
◊ FIN.K.L

SKILLS / TALENT:
◊ Modelling
◊ Dancing
◊ Gag Idol

HOBBIES / INTEREST:
◊ Dancing

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Dongmyeong Woman’s High School of Industry and Information

WORK HISTORY:
◊ Model for online catalogues
◊ MNET Check it Girl
◊ MC JPOP Wave
◊ MC MBC Every1 Idol Army Show (Season 4)
◊ Model for Shopping Mall
◊ MBC That Man is Coming (Lead Cameo)
◊ KBS Documentary “Unwavered Dreams” (2005)
◊ Group song for “Boys over Flower” OST Vol 2 – Love is Fire
◊ Group song for “Naruto” ending theme – Butterfly
◊ MBC ShimShimTaPa Radio
◊ KBS Invincible Youth

HARA’S TRIVIA

SWEET FACTS:
◊ Auditioned for SME and JYPE
◊ Attended Kwanjoo Academy of Music (with Big Bang’s Seungri and 2NE1’s Minzi)
◊ She is from “Kwangju” the same hometown as Seungri and Sunmi
◊ Has known Sunmi ever since from a young age
◊ She is very competitive
◊ Has postponed schooling to concentrate on Kara
◊ According to members, she eats the most but does not seem to ever gain weight
◊ Fans call her “Koala” because the pronunciation is very similar to her name
◊ Is called “Honey” because her surname is very similar in pronunciation to “Honey” on korean, “Ggul”
◊ Participated in track & field in Elementry school
◊ Top 3 idols she’d like to date: Taecyeon, Junho, & Jokwon.
◊ Modeled for a text book
◊ Because of Invincible Youth, she became known as a Gag Idol
◊ In charge of “coolness” in KARA
◊ She loves horror/scary movies.
◊ A fan of BOF(Boys Over Flowers)/HanaYoriDango*.
◊ Pink is her favorite color.
◊ Loves sleeping.
◊ Her audition song: Hyeryung – Fool
◊ Running is one of her talents.
◊ Loves Dancing.
◊ Admires Hyori and In Sooni.
◊ Watches J-dramas.
◊ After Hyuna left the show, she became the maknae on IY.

cyworld: http://www.cyworld.com/sweethara

twitter: http://twitter.com/_sweethara

 

JUNG NICOLE (정 니콜)

You’re invited to join Kara’s mood-maker and forever maknae on a one-way ticket to fun and laughter. See why this American Dream is so unique and special; from her 4D nature and hyper personality, to her sexy and strong dance skills, or maybe her chicken and dolphin impersonations will catch your attention.

NICKNAME:
◊ Yongjoo
◊ Tweety
◊ Cole
◊ Nikori

D.O.B:
◊ October 7, 1991

BLOOD TYPE:
◊ A

BIRTHPLACE:
◊ Glendale, California, USA

FAVORITE COLORS:
◊ Orange & Blue Purple

FAVORITE KOREAN ARTIST:
◊ Shinhwa

SKILLS / TALENT:
◊ Dancing
◊ Singing
◊ Rapping
◊ Can speak English fluently and some Spanish
◊ Cooking
◊ TV Personality

HOBBIES / INTEREST:
◊ Listening to music
◊ Violin
◊ Food
◊ Watching movies
◊ Eating
◊ Reading
◊ Cooking
◊ Excercising

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
◊ Attended Global Christian School
◊ Attended Laurel Springs School, finished 11th grade
◊ Hopes to finish school but is too busy with KARA and solo activities at the moment
◊ Studying for her GED

WORK HISTORY:
◊ MC JPOP Wave
◊ MC MBC Every1 Idol Army Show (Season 4)
◊ KBS Star Golden Bell – Level With Me S2
◊ Group song for “Boys over Flower” OST Vol 2 – Love is Fire
◊ Group song for “Chasing Kangnam Mother” OST – Fighting
◊ Group song for “Naruto” ending theme – Butterfly
◊ Featured on Sunha’s song – String
◊ Duet with Kang Kyun Sang – Happy… And
◊ Featured in Kang Kyun Sang’s Happy… And MV
◊ MC MBC Bonanza
◊ MC MBC Star Ranking
◊ Mnet “Nicole: The Entertainer’s Introduction to Veterinary Science” (Nicole’s own reality show)
◊ Participated in writing the rap portions for KARA’s albums:
– She wrote most of the rap lyrics for KARA’s first album & for “Honey” as well
– She also wrote the Korean rap lyrics (1st time) for the song “Let It Go” from KARA’s Revolution album
– Wrote the raps for Lupin and Tasty Love from their 3rd Mini Album: Lupin
◊ SBS Good Sunday Heroes
◊ Duet with Park Myung Soo – Whales (July 2010)

NICOLE’S TRIVIA

SWEET FACTS:
◊ Only member that has written for KARA’s albums.
◊ Fluent in English, and knows how to speak Spanish as well
◊ She is known for her happy, energetic, and friendly personality
◊ Participated in sports, band, and choir while in school in the U.S.
◊ Favorite song is “River Flows in You” by Yimura
◊ Her mother is in Korea with her now
◊ Loves to eat, talks about eating a lot
◊ Hates to cry in front of people
◊ She is the strongest (emotionally) member of KARA
◊ She is religious, a devoted Christian
◊ She has a weak stomach, gets sick easily
◊ She is not very good with Korean, and is prone to making cute mistakes
◊ Has a stuffed pig named “Acon” because of ‘Bacon‘
◊ She is very fond of her stuffed toys
◊ She is very good friends with SNSD members; Hyoyeon, Tiffany, Sunny and Seohyun
◊ She is the only child
◊ Played the Violin from 4th – 8th grades
◊ Hyori is her idol
◊ Wanted to attend Julliard either for violin or dance
◊ Says she dislikes people who lie
◊ She hasn’t really meant anyone close to her ideal type yet
◊ Says Gyuri (KARA) is like a real sister to her, both are very close
◊ Her Korean name is “Yongjoo” which means “Dragon Ball” in English
◊ She loves to cook, and often prepares the meals when at home
◊ If she wasn’t a singer she would like to be a patisserie, since she loves to bake.
◊ Received an oven for her 17/18th birthday from fans.
◊ Writes “Always Smile” with her autographs
◊ She is a Twilight and Harry Potter fan girl
◊ Her mother has a restaurant called “Red Kitchen”
◊ Has a puppy named DuBu (Tofu in Korean), given to her by the Dean of her University
◊ Favorite 2PM members Junsu & Jay
◊ Nominated for Mnet 20’s choice award 2009 for Hot New Variety Star but didn’t win
◊ Has her own room for the first time after debut, when KARA moved to new dorms in April 2010.
◊ First KARA member to know 3 languages: English, Korean, & Japanese.

cyworld: http://www.cyworld.com/911007

twitter:  http://twitter.com/_911007

 

KANG JIYOUNG (강 지영)

How can you not stand in aww of our cute and delightful maknae? Come in and bask in her adorableness. She may be the youngest but her height tells a different story. Fall head over heels over this puppy maknae, from her demure and sophisticated side to her happy and cheerful aegyo.

 

NICKNAME:
◊ Jing
◊ Kang Jara (turtle)
◊ Kang Ah Ji (puppy)
◊ Rice-Cake (because of her fair skin tone)
◊ Jing, Baby Jing

D.O.B:
◊ January 18 1994

BLOOD TYPE:
◊ O

PLACE OF BIRTH:
◊ Gyeonggi-do, Paju

FAVORITE KOREAN ARTIST:
◊ Big Bang

SKILLS / TALENT:
◊ Singing
◊ Aegyo
◊ Eye smiling

HOBBIES / INTEREST:
◊ Reading
◊ Listening to music
◊ Dolls
◊ Letters
◊ Dogs

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
◊ Graduated from Kwanghee Middle School
◊ Currently attending Muhak Women’s High School

WORK HISTORY:
◊ MC JPOP Wave
◊ MC MBC Every1 Idol Army Show (Season 4)
◊ MBC Radio Shim Shim Tapa
◊ Group song for “Boys over Flower” OST Vol 2 – Love is Fire
◊ Group song for “Chasing Kangnam Mother” OST – Fighting
◊ Group song for “Naruto” ending theme – Butterfly
◊ Featured on Jumper’s song – Sparkling Eyes
◊ MBC ShimShimTaPa Radio
◊ KBS Sukira

JIYOUNG’S TRIVIA

SWEET FACTS:
◊ She is a big fan of Daesung from Big Bang
◊ She is the youngest of 3 girls in her family
◊ Approximately 166cm in height
◊ Her audition song was SNSD – Kissing You
◊ Fans say she resembles a turtle, cute turtle
◊ Was at the 2007 Dream Concert as a DBSK fan girl
◊ Wants to do more cooking
◊ Shares a room with Hara and Nicole, sleeps on the top bunk while Hara sleeps on the lower bunk
◊ Introduced to DSP by a relative
◊ She was a last minute replacement when a new member choose to leave
◊ Wants to learn how to play the piano, guitar, and keyboards.
◊ Most important thing to Jiyoung, “All the people around me. I think its because of these people who worry about me and offer me their advices that I am able to be where I am today.”

cyworld: http://www.cyworld.com/jj_i_young

twitter: http://twitter.com/kkangjii

 

FORMER MEMBER:

KIM SUNGHEE (김 성히)

Always remembered and never forgotten is Kara’s forever vitamin and eternal saint Sungja. Get to know this bright and bubbly girl with the voice of an angel, alien language, and a guy name to boot, hello Sungbokie oppa! We eagerly await the return of the saint!

NICKNAME:
◊ Sungja, Sungbok

D.O.B:
◊ May 17, 1989

BLOOD TYPE:
◊ B

FAVORITE COLOR:
◊ Green

FAVORITE FLOWER:
◊ Rose

FAVORITE KOREAN ARTIST:
◊ Park Hyo Shin

SKILLS / TALENT:
◊ Singing
◊ Impersonating Jeon Ji Hyun
◊ Singing Korean classical music while impersonating Gummy

HOBBIES / INTEREST:
◊ Dancing
◊ Listening to music
◊ Making random sounds

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
◊ Graduated from Goojung High School (2007)
◊ Attending Han Yang Girls’ University for Vocal Music

WORK HISTORY:
◊ Original OST song for Drama “3-Leaf Clover” – Then I’m Done
◊ Group song for “Chasing Kangnam Mother” OST – Fighting
◊ Live Wannabe
◊ Guest Peformer at Monster’s Fan-Meeting (Duet with Real)
◊ Guest Performer at Shin Hyun Ho’s Concert

SWEET FACTS:
◊ The ring on her right hand ring finger is a memento of her late mother
◊ She also always carries around a picture of her mother holding her as a baby in her wallet
◊ Has a dog named Bba Bba Ddya Ya
◊ She has a habit of kissing her members
◊ Her mother was also an OST singer
◊ She is very passionate about singing and will not give up
◊ Loves the left side of her face (often calls it “handsome”)
◊ She has done yoga before
◊ Is said to be close to SS501’s Jungmin
◊ Is known for her amazing skills in forgetting song lyrics in a very cute way
◊ She is called “Sungja” (which means ‘Saint’); given to her by one of Kara’s dancers
◊ Admitted one time in Gyuri’s ‘il cheon pyeong’ (What Friend’s Say) “I am Park Gyuri’s lover”
◊ She is also called Sungbok which originated from Kara’s “Mnet Selfcam 1 Part 2” When they were talking about Kara’s younger brother
◊ Officially left Kara on Feb 29, 2008 upon her father’s wishes
◊ During her trainee days (before meeting other KARA members) she didn’t talk to other people much, often practiced dancing alone, she would sing to herself, wearing her headphones, played piano, or take ulzzang photos in her corner
◊ As of 2009, Sunghee still performs at regular gigs every now and then

cyworld: http://www.cyworld.com/ksh1269

 

 

credit: wikipedia, karaholic