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The included photobook is the best, highest quality 'extra' that Kara has bundled with any CD. The photography is just stunning. Absolutely stunning. They could have charged triple the price, and I wouldn't be disappointed considering how high-quality that book is. I think DSP realized they needed to do something special for this comeback, and boy did they.

Torn- seriously torn. It's an evil move. Really evil, but from a business viewpoint, DSP's only move. DSP is sending a message- cross us, and you are OUT. (Nicole and her mom). Don't want to play the maknae anymore? Fine. We will replace you (Jiyoung). All of you are expendable and replaceable. Jiyoung leaving I can accept, because she really kind of burnt out. That interview show where Hara was attacked about boyfriends, and Jiyoung was treated like a trained monkey ("Smile for the camera! You are maknae-act like one!") was painful to watch, and I am sure had no small part in causing Jiyoung to just get sick of everything. But Nicole? That was terrible. The last thing she wanted was to be forced out the way she was. All that being said, if you like the other 3 members (and there is no reason why not to, they are as much victims as Nicole and Jiyoung), you have to support Kara. And the two new girls will be just as blameless and earnestly doing their best. But at the end of the day, my support for Kara- specifically MY money, will be going to DSP, who will be laughing with joy about how well everything turned out. I feel sick.

The mushroom cuts. It's all totally phallic imagery. I think viewers can get the message without the mushroom cuts. To tell the truth, I think it's kind of over the top.

BBHD special event registration closed an hour ago in Japan. It was that ticket distributed in all first press copies of the CD. Winners announced on April 3 pm. The event looks outstanding, but really hard to choose. When registering your entry, you can choose for either a handshake, a photo, or an autograph, but with only one member. The variety is probably much better for the girls, and much less tiring that another high five event, and allows for the winners to actually have a moment to talk with them. All round, it looks like an outstanding event for whoever wins. Hoping I get a chance to meet Nicole and get a signature!

Good, good good. I am still wondering what happened to their all thier sales numbers after Super Girl- It is like they hit a wall. Its not as if KARA changed- more like public opinion changed...

Just watched the first first 10 minutes of BluRay version. WOW- If you have seen the NotTV version that has been going around for awhile, you will be shocked at the BD. Much better camera editing, MUCH better sound- they fixed the mic balance a LOT. Also amazing shots of the stage and crowd. I went back and watched the NotTV video of Pandora and Speed Up- absolutely terrible quality compared to the BD. The editor made bizarre cuts, and never knew who was singing so often you would get shots of Gyuri when Nicole was singing, or JY when SY was singing, etc. The BluRay version fixed all of that. The audio is also mixed much more dramatically- In Pandora when the girls turn their backs and do the 'jacket peal' you can hear the Tokyo Dome crowd roar. Its great!

Hmmm. A little worried. This is not a good trend. I hope sales increase as a result of the marketing and TV blitz. It is a good song. It really SHOULD succeed here in Japan. If it doesn't, I can't imagine what DSP tries next.

@Narkara- I agree- you nailed the meaning of the video EXACTLY. Ironically, SY, (as in real life??) doesn't seem to care whether she ends up with the guy in the end at all, and is happy just for the recognition and gifts from the other members. Come to think of it, Gyuri was pretty nonexistent in this PV. Wonder what happened there?

Impossible to watch teaser without smiling. Impossible. Really, really, really cute.

@Beatriz- That was absolutely positively awesome! Thank you so much for doing the translations!

Its incredibly childish and cute, and is sooooooooo different from their Korean image. Watching KARA perform in Japanese is like an alternate reality- We are all getting 2 different groups for the price of one. They alternate from being Japanese princesses to being powerful Korean women who grind princesses under their high heels, depending on the schedule. On the bright side- I have to think the girls are having fun doing it. At the end of the day, maybe that is all that is really important.

Nice song, but clearly targeted to the Japanese audience like a laser. Choral melody line, upbeat, high-register, synth-pop tune. Following Pandora, it's like jumping from a sauna into an ice-water bath. I guess that is the point (Korean image vs. Japanese image), but it is still rather shocking. It sounds more like something I would expect from AKB48

Price Update on NEW, unopened LE- As of Jan 15, Amazon.jp has lowered the price to 4620 yen (approx $51 plus shipping). http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/offer-listing/B00AEF4ZQG/ref=sr_1_15_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1358223122&sr=8-15&condition=new

You get a lot of bang for the buck! Very happy I picked this up

I thought the idea of sponsors is to REDUCE the costs of production! That weird buttchair company should be the one paying for a big chunk of the production costs.