[2010.09.15] [#8000 Special Edition] KARA “Dream to take part in “Red & White Song Festival” and top Oricon Chart #1”


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[#8000 Special Edition] KARA “Dream to take part in “Red & White Festival” and top Oricon Chart #1”

NOTE:*** So what is NHK RED & WHITE SONG FESTIVAL? Red & White song festival is a yearly event (every 31st December) which Japan’s NHK broadcast music program (performers are usually artists that have high popularity, hit songs and high CD sales***.

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KARA, who was doing well on Oricon Chart and had just returned home, was invited by Sports Seoul for their special edition #8000 interview. This is the first interview after it was announced in Japan that KARA is the first Korean Girl Group to make such a remarkable result on Oricon Chart. Last Month (11 August), Kara made debut with single ‘Mister’, on the released day, it was ranked at #5 on Oricon Chart which surprised the Japan music world. Even after one week, KARA maintained at #5 on Oricon Weekly Chart. Excluding Japan, KARA is Asia’s First Girl Group to be on top 10 for their first week of album release on Oricon Weekly Chart. Interview was conducted at DSP entertainment new office which KARA said it‘s cozy. “It’s like a dream”, said KARA about their success in Japan. During this interview, they were asked about their testimonies about Japan debut and Oricon chart record as well as their future plans. Han Seungyeon was absent for this interview due to her spinal cord injury.

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INTERVIEWS:

Since Debut in Oricon Chart, you are breaking records, how do you feel about it?

We can’t even imagine what’s happening. Does not even feel real. Instead of talking about the record, we realized that we have “Good Response", a sense of responsibility to become bigger now, as it is responsibility for Hallyu. We put more efforts in studying Japanese because we would like the Japanese to know “There is this kind of girl group in Korea”.

When did you plan to advance to Japan? And What is the reason for making decision to advance in Japan?

Since earlier this year we have been making plans but even before that we have had a lot of interest already, to some extent, if there are chances, we really wanted to go even once. We went to a Morning Musume(Japanese group name) concert in 2008, we felt that their performance was great and really attractive. At that moment, we had this thought it’ll be great if we also have the opportunity to perform in other countries as representative of Korean Girl Group, being acknowledged and inspire the people there.

What's the secret for KARA's popularity in Japan? What's media and fans reaction?

Japan idol Girl Groups are cute and shows all kinds of lovely image. But we debut with 'Mister' which filled with lots of energy and we showed powerful performance. Japanese fans, "Girl Groups can also be this charming as well". However, we also showed our cuteness while we performed on programs that were televised. Media reports referred us as "Surprising Girls". We didn't expect Korean Girl Group would receive such a great response in Japan.

KARA is particularly appealing to female fans in their 10s and 20s.

We feel like they see us as their “Wannabe Model”. Many love to use the same/similar things we use like our fashion/costumes. We also heard a lot of people saying we are “Cute”.

The guerrilla concert in Shibuya, Tokyo which was originally planned for 30 minutes in front of uninformed over 3000 people but it was suspended after just 3 minutes because of the crowd. Didn’t you feel it is such a pity?

We didn't realize it but 3 minutes was indeed really short. It was real pity. We only sang a song and it ended. It was actually our opportunity to interact directly with our Japanese fans. A lot of fans gathered and were really surprised as this was unplanned. We were so impressed because it seems like many were amused by our song.

Did you get to meet KARA's passionate fan even before your debut, Japanese Comedian Gekidan Hitori?

Yeah, We did meet him directly and he looked handsome.. haha. We also gave him signed CD as present. We were so surprised the fact that other country's artist is also one of our fans who always support us.

SNSD, 4-minutes, Brown eyed girls, are other Korean girl group advancing to Japan as well. It seems like you will be competing in both Korea and Japan now.

We’re glad that we are able to promote/do activities together and it seems like we can achieve a synergy effect, which we wouldn't be able to if we are doing the activities alone by just ourselves. If we work hard together we will achieve 'Win Win effect' in which can pay off our efforts. Mainly because we can stimulate each other.

What's the difference between Korea and Japan's Pop music?

Korea usually broadcasts live music program while in Japan the performances are prerecorded. And in terms of style, Japan shows a rather cute image, their costumes and style feels like animation.

What's your main goal going to Japan?

We(as Girl Group) would like to lead Hallyu (Korean Wave) in Japan. To tell you more specifically, we would like to take part in NHK Red & White songs festival. We also want to be #1 on Oricon Chart as well as holding our own concert in the name of KARA.

Due to Japan’s activities, Korean fans are concerned about activities in Korea.

The reason why we did not get housing (dorm) in Japan is because we want to do activities side by side in both Korea and Japan. Not only to focus on one place but we want to do activities in both places together. There are also some Korean fans that expressed regret because they couldn’t see us that much. As we (KARA)are in the development/expansion phase now so please love and cheer us a lot.

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Can you please say some words for our #8000 special edition

(Jiyoung) Congratulation on the 8000 edition, I can’t even imagine it has already reach as much as 8000. In 50 years or even 100 years, please keep bringing us good news.

(Hara) Hope that Sports Seoul to keep growing. And also keep a constant interest in KARA.. Hoho..

(Gyuri) 8000 is way larger than my age. It is because Sports Seoul has many loyal readers and received great loves from readers. We (KARA) would also love to be long-run like Sports Seoul.

(Nicole) Happy 25th Anniversary. Be Healthy. Please interview us again on 10000 edition.

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Thanks Mae for the article

Translated by aank1 @ karaholic.com

Source: Sports Seoul

Do not take out without credits

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i wonder who was answer all this questions ? i've sticked Gyul's image on my mind when i was reading this news :-s idk LOL =))

maybe all the girls was answer together.

i love their answers, really, they showed off their social skills, the mature side of them, also the cute side.

our girls, keep rocking !

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Did you get to met KARA's passionate fan even before your debut, Japan Comedian Gekidan Hitori?

Yeah, We did meet him directly and he looked handsome.. haha. We also gave him signed CD as present.

he sure met kara alot ,,iam envious of him but he is really asweet fan ...

thanks for sharing ..kara really can make it we gonna support you 100%..go kara

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Did you get to met KARA's passionate fan even before your debut, Japan Comedian Gekidan Hitori?

Yeah, We did meet him directly and he looked handsome.. haha. We also gave him signed CD as present. We were so surprised the fact that other country's artist is also one of our fans who always support us.

Gekidan Hitori is so JJANG

GO KARA

FIGHTING!!!

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Their dream is not to impossible to reach. I mean they may get invite to perfrom on the white and red carpet, and reach number 1 on the oricon chart is not to impossible, if DBSK can do it, you can be the first girl group to do it. KARA is like DBSK, DBSK start the whole hallyu wave in japan, and reach number 1(first korean boy band to do that), KARA can be the first girl group to reach number one to(they would just be like DBSK), if mister can reach number 5 on the chart, then jumping should do well. But don't forget maybe their cd can reach number one.If their cd reach number one and their next single reach number 1 they would always accomplish their dream.

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anky, thanks.. it was long XD

The girls seem really surprised with all their success and they seem to want to aim much higher, it will be difficult to promote in 2 countries simultaneously but I know they can do it.

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anky, thanks for the article..and mae for the tip too :)

good words as always..and they always gave a feeling that they didn't talk about just as a formality, but it's sumthin that came out from themselves :)

and it's nice to knew that the girls themselves are taking active parts in making decision, thye knew what they are doing..and they aware of their achievements, yet they still humble..

i believed their dreams will come true..at least a lot of kamilia will pray for them :)

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We also want to be #1 on Oricon Chart as well as holding our own concert in the name of KARA.

It's really a big dream but no matter how hard it is, I hope they can achieve it one day !

I also wish to see them having their first concert ! DSP...what are you doing ? :lol:

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Due to Japan’s activities, Korean fans are concerned about activities in Korea.

loved their answer to this question! really glad they're still keeping in mind the Korea activities. good to see they want to do both together rather than focusing on one!

Edited by monkiesxrule
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I can imagine their reaction to Japan's response to their music. It must be so overwhelming for them, and to realise "Yes, this was because of our persistent hardwork". Even at top popularity, they still manage to be humble and true. This is what we love about these girls. KARA always HWAITING!

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