Step (Kara album)
| Step | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Kara | ||||
| Released |
September 6, 2011 (see release history) | |||
| Recorded | 2011 | |||
| Genre | Pop, dance-pop, EDM | |||
| Length | 32:01 | |||
| Language | Korean | |||
| Label | DSP Media, CJ E&M | |||
| Kara chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Step | ||||
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Step is the third full-length album by South Korean K-pop girl group Kara. It was released on September 6, 2011.[1][2] A special limited edition was available for pre-order starting August 25, 2011.[3][4]
Background and recording
On August 4, 2011, the group confirmed that they will be releasing their third official album on mid-September and will resume their activities in South Korea for the first time in over six months. It was also reported by industry representatives that the group has been recording songs for the album during their spare time while they were busy promoting their fourth Japanese single, "Go Go Summer!". DSP Media stated that the group are in the process of reviewing which songs to be used as the lead song from the album.[5]
Concept and artwork
Regarding the concept of the album, the group was also faced with a choice between maintaining their usual bright, cute and youthful concept or transforming into something new.[6]
Composition
The limited edition of the album contains a bonus track called "With My Heart (Dear Kamilia)" which is the Korean version of "Ima, Okuritai 「Arigatou」" from their third Japanese single.[4]
The album's title track was released as the lead single.
Release and promotion
A special edition of the album was available for pre-order on August 25, 2011, 10 days ahead of the official release. The special edition includes a 32-page booklet, a digipack and a bonus track. According to DSP Media, the first 100 people who purchased them will be chosen to attend a special showcase by KARA on September 14, 2011. DSP Media also teamed up with YouTube to deliver a special online series of three episodes titled “KARA Channel” which covers the group's preparations for the release of the album. The series began airing at Kara's official YouTube channel on September 7, 2011 and ended on September 21, 2011.[7]
Due to the group's commitments with their schedule in Japan they will only promote the album for three weeks.[5]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangements | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "EY! OH!" (Intro) | Park Se Hyun, Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae Min | Park Se Hyun, Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae Min | Park Se Hyun, Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae Min | 1:01 |
| 2. | "Step" | Song Soo Yoon | Han Jae Ho, Kim Seung Soo | Han Jae Ho, Kim Seung Soo, Hong Seunghyun | 3:21 |
| 3. | "Rider" | Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae Min | Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae Min | Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae Min | 3:03 |
| 4. | "Strawberry" | Zig Zag Note | Zig Zag Note | Zig Zag Note | 3:31 |
| 5. | "Follow Me" (따라와; Ddarawa) | Zig Zag Note | Zig Zag Note | Zig Zag Note | 3:29 |
| 6. | "Date (My Boy)" | Kim Won Hyun, Jang Sang Huk | Kim Won Hyun | Kim Won Hyun | 3:22 |
| 7. | "I Am... (Ing)" (나는..; Naneun..) (Acoustic Version) | Kim Bo-Ah, Lee Joohyung | Kim Bo-Ah, Lee Joohyung | Lee Joohyung | 3:58 |
| 8. | "Kara 4 U" (Outro) | Park Se Hyun, Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae Min | Park Se Hyun, Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae Min | Park Se Hyun, Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae Min | 1:03 |
| 9. | "Step" (Instrumental) | Han Jae Ho, Kim Seung Soo | Han Jae Ho, Kim Seung Soo, Hong Seunghyun | 3:21 | |
| 10. | "With My Heart (Dear Kamilia)" (Bonus Track) | Park Hae In | Simon Isogai | Simon Isogai | 5:49 |
Total length: |
32:01 | ||||
| DVD (Taiwan CD+DVD version) | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Step" (Music Video) | |
| 2. | "Step" (Teaser 1) | |
| 3. | "Step" (Teaser 2) | |
- Notes
- "I Am... (Ing) (Acoustic Version)" is a re-recorded version of a song that was previously included in the group's second mini-album "Pretty Girl".
- "With My Heart (Dear Kamilia)" is a Korean version of "Ima, Okuritai 「Arigatou」", from their Japanese single "Jet Coaster Love".
Oricon Chart
| Released | Oricon Chart | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| September 15, 2011 (Import Disc) October 5, 2011 (Official release) | ||
| Weekly Albums Chart[8] | 5 | |
Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | October 5, 2011[9] | CD | |
| Taiwan[10] | October 7, 2011 | CD & DVD | Warner Music Taiwan |
External links
References
- ↑ (Korean) 카라, 유튜브 통해 음원 공개 순간 모습 방송 (Kara to Release Profile Videos on YouTube After Album Release). The Chosun Ilbo. September 5, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
- ↑ (Korean) 컴백 앞둔 카라, 신곡 공개후 유튜브 이색 생중계 (Soon-to-Come-Back Kara to Showcase Special Videos After Single Release). Money Today. September 5, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
- ↑ 카라, 정규 3집으로 국내 컴백 초읽기 (in Korean). Nate. 2011-08-23. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
- 1 2 "YESASIA: Kara Vol. 3 - Step (Special Edition) (Limited Edition) CD - Kara, DSP Media - Korean Music - Free Shipping". YesAsia. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
- 1 2 카라 ‘너무 바빠’ 9월 국내 컴백 ‘3주만 활동’ (in Korean). Nate. 2011-08-05. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
- ↑ '9월 컴백' 카라, 타이틀곡 고심 중.."발랄이냐, 카리스마냐" (in Korean). Nate. 2011-08-05. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
- ↑ 카라, 유튜브 생방송으로 국내 팬들과 적극교류 시작 (in Korean). Newsen. 2011-08-26. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- ↑ "CDアルバム 週間ランキング-ORICON STYLE ランキング (Oricon Weekly album chart for October 17th, 2011)" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ↑ (Japanese) Website of Universal Music
- ↑ "韓國首席女子天團【KARA】花落華納音樂 團員忙中文正名" (in Chinese). Warner Music Group. Retrieved 2011-09-22.
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