Step (Kara album)
Encyclopedia
Step is the third full-length album by South Korean K-pop
girl group
Kara
. It was released on September 6, 2011. A special limited edition was available for pre-order starting August 25, 2011.
". DSP Media stated that the group are in the process of reviewing which songs to be used as the lead song from the album.
". 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. The outro track of the album, "Kara 4 U", was featured in the group's album teaser video.
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.
A teaser video for the full-length album was uploaded on the group's YouTube page on August 29, 2011, showing the girls dressed in glittering dresses and holding onto microphone stands while the song "Kara 4 U (Outro)" can be heard playing in the background. The second teaser was released on September 1, 2011, which was the teaser for their title track's music video. The full music video officially premiered on September 6, 2011.
Due to the group's commitments with their schedule in Japan they will only promote the album for three weeks. The promotions of the album in TV music shows started in September 15, on Mnet
's M! Countdown
. The songs "Date (My Boy)" and "With My Heart (Dear Kamilia)" were chosen to be promoted and performed for the comeback. They won 1st place on that show on the same day and they won another award on the following week. They won another award during the comeback week on KBS's show Music Bank
and on the following week. The group made their comeback on SBS' Inkigayo
on September 18, 2011 and won a mutizen in the show on September 25. The promotions ended on October 9.
K-pop
K-pop is a musical genre consisting of electropop, hip hop, pop, rock, and R&B music originating in South Korea...
girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
Kara
Kara (band)
Kara is a popular South Korean girl group signed with DSP Media . The band name Kara comes from the Greek Word "chara" Kara (Hangul: 카라, Japanese: カラ, often stylized as KARA) is a popular South Korean girl group signed with DSP Media (DSP). The band name Kara comes from the Greek Word "chara" Kara...
. It was released on September 6, 2011. A special limited edition was available for pre-order starting August 25, 2011.
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!Go Go Summer!
is the fourth Japanese single of South Korean girl group Kara. The song was released digitally on iTunes Japan on June 22, 2011, while the full single was physically released on June 29, 2011. It is the group's second Japanese single to sell over 100,000 copies during its first week, following...
". DSP Media stated that the group are in the process of reviewing which songs to be used as the lead song from the album.
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.Composition
The title track of the album is "Step" which is a rock-electronica themed song. It was written by producer duo Han Jae Ho and Kim Seung Soo (also known as 'Sweetune') the producers behind "MisterMister (song)
is the Japanese debut single of South Korean girl group Kara. The single was released on August 11, 2010. It was released in four editions, one includes a DVD, another one is CD with a 28-page photobook, and two CD only editions, first press and regular...
". 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」
Jet Coaster Love
is the third Japanese single of South Korean girl group Kara. The single was originally set to be released on March 23, 2011, but following the 2011 Great Tohoku Earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan, the physical single was postponed to April 6, 2011...
" from their third Japanese single. The outro track of the album, "Kara 4 U", was featured in the group's album teaser video.
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 YouTubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
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.
A teaser video for the full-length album was uploaded on the group's YouTube page on August 29, 2011, showing the girls dressed in glittering dresses and holding onto microphone stands while the song "Kara 4 U (Outro)" can be heard playing in the background. The second teaser was released on September 1, 2011, which was the teaser for their title track's music video. The full music video officially premiered on September 6, 2011.
Due to the group's commitments with their schedule in Japan they will only promote the album for three weeks. The promotions of the album in TV music shows started in September 15, on Mnet
Mnet (TV channel)
Mnet is a music television channel in South Korea owned by CJ Group.-Television programs:* Superstar K* M! Countdown* 2NE1 TV* MUST* Kara Bakery* Wonder Bakery* Girls' Generation Goes to School...
's M! Countdown
M! Countdown
M! Countdown is a South Korean music television program broadcast by M.net. It airs live every Thursday at 6:00PM KST. The show features some of the latest and most popular artists who perform live on stage. It is hosted by Tony An and Girls' Generation's Sooyoung...
. The songs "Date (My Boy)" and "With My Heart (Dear Kamilia)" were chosen to be promoted and performed for the comeback. They won 1st place on that show on the same day and they won another award on the following week. They won another award during the comeback week on KBS's show Music Bank
Music Bank (TV series)
Music Bank is a South Korean music television program broadcast by Korean Broadcasting System, KBS. It airs live every Friday at 6:10 PM KST. It is currently hosted by guest MCs...
and on the following week. The group made their comeback on SBS' Inkigayo
The Music Trend
The Music Trend is a South Korean music program broadcast by SBS. It airs live every Sunday at 3:50 PM KST. The show features some of the latest and most popular artists who perform on stage. It is currently hosted by Goo Ha-ra, IU and Nicole.- History :...
on September 18, 2011 and won a mutizen in the show on September 25. The promotions ended on October 9.
Track listing
Notes- "I Am... (Ing) (Acoustic Version)" was previously included in the group's second mini-album "Pretty GirlPretty Girl (song)Pretty Girl is a the second mini-album by K-pop girl group Kara. It was released on online music sites and on CD on December 4, 2008.-History:...
". - "With My Heart (Dear Kamilia)" is a Korean version of "Ima, Okuritai 「Arigatou」", from their Japanese single "Jet Coaster LoveJet Coaster Loveis the third Japanese single of South Korean girl group Kara. The single was originally set to be released on March 23, 2011, but following the 2011 Great Tohoku Earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan, the physical single was postponed to April 6, 2011...
".
Chart performance
Within hours after the digital release, the album had already ranked number one on various online music charts across South Korea including Melon, Olleh, Bugs, and Soribada. The album entered in the position #17 on the Oricon's Weekly albums chart, one month before the official Japanese release, due to importation of the album from South Korea.Oricon Chart
| Released | Oricon Oricon , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc... Chart |
Peak | Debut Sales | Sales Total | Chart Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 15, 2011 (Import Disc) October 5, 2011 (Official release) |
Daily Albums Chart | 4 | 6,063 | 61,660+ | 11 weeks |
| Weekly Albums Chart | 5 | ||||
| Monthly Albums Chart | 8 | ||||
| International/Western Albums Chart | 1 |
Other charts
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Korea Gaon Gaon Chart The Gaon Chart is a national record chart of South Korea. It is complied by the Korea Music Content Industry Association and sponsored by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; with an aim to create a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts and Oricon charts... Weekly album chart |
1 |
| South Korea Gaon Weekly domestic album chart | 1 |
| South Korea Gaon Monthly album chart | 2 |
Single chart
| Song | Peak chart position | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR | US | JAP | ||
| Gaon Chart Gaon Chart The Gaon Chart is a national record chart of South Korea. It is complied by the Korea Music Content Industry Association and sponsored by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; with an aim to create a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts and Oricon charts... |
K-Pop Korea K-Pop Hot 100 The Korea K-Pop Hot 100 is a music singles chart in the United States and South Korea. It is launched in conjunction with Billboard and Billboard Korea on August 25, 2011 and is based on digital sales via leading websites as well as downloads from mobile service sites using an industry-standard... Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... |
RIAJ Chart RIAJ Digital Track Chart The is chart ranks the best selling digital singles in Japan, provided by the Recording Industry Association of Japan since April 2009. The chart measures cellphone downloads .... |
Billboard Japan Japan Hot 100 The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com .... |
|
| "Step Step (song) "Step" is a song by Korean pop girl group Kara. It is the group's title track from their third full-length album Step and was released to online music sites on September, 6 2011.-Background:... " |
2 | 2 | 2 | 42 |
Other songs charted
| Song | Peak chart position | |
|---|---|---|
| KOR | US | |
| Gaon Chart Gaon Chart The Gaon Chart is a national record chart of South Korea. It is complied by the Korea Music Content Industry Association and sponsored by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; with an aim to create a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts and Oricon charts... |
K-Pop Korea K-Pop Hot 100 The Korea K-Pop Hot 100 is a music singles chart in the United States and South Korea. It is launched in conjunction with Billboard and Billboard Korea on August 25, 2011 and is based on digital sales via leading websites as well as downloads from mobile service sites using an industry-standard... Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... |
|
| "Rider" | 43 | 69 |
| "Strawberry" | 56 | 83 |
| "Follow Me" | 79 | - |
| "Date (My Boy)" | 83 | - |
| "I Am... (Ing) (Acoustic version)" | 115 | - |
| "With My Heart (Dear Kamilia)" | 136 | - |
| "Kara 4 U" (Outro) | 179 | - |
| "Ey! Oh!" (Intro) | 182 | - |
Sales and certifications
| Chart | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gaon physical sales | 98,865 |
Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | September 6, 2011 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... , CD Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... |
CJ E&M DSP Media |
| Worldwide | Digital download | DSP Media | |
| Japan | September 28, 2011 | Digital download | Universal Sigma |
| October 5, 2011 | CD | ||
| Taiwan | October 7, 2011 | CD & DVD | Warner Music Taiwan |