Hola Hola (EP)

On June 30, 2017, it was announced that the debut album from the group will be released on July 19, 2017, with no further details. A day later, it was revealed the name as Hola Hola and that it would be an extended play.[1][2] From July 3 to July 5, individual images of each member were released, starting with members Jiwoo and BM and continuing with J.seph and Somin.[3] On July 6, DSP Media revealed the track list through the group's official Twitter account. The track list consists of six songs, including the three pre-released songs titled as the "KARD Project".[4] On July 10, the first music video teaser for "Hola Hola" was released, featuring the group various locations, including Las Vegas and Los Angeles.[5][6] Two days later, the format of the album was revealed to include a booklet of 80 pages, two photo cards in two versions and a poster. It was also revealed that the physical copy will include a total of 10 songs and will be released on July 20.[7][8] On July 13, a preview of the EP songs was released through the group's official YouTube channel.[9] On July 17, a special teaser for the title track was released, showing behind the scenes footage of the music video recording.[10]

The EP was released on July 19, 2017, through several music portals, including MelOn in South Korea, and iTunes for the global market.[11][12]

The digital EP consists of six songs, including three pre-debut projects, while the physical copy also comes with four instrumentals. The title track, "Hola Hola", is influenced by tropical house and sounds like "climb up" when read in Korean.[13] "I can't stop" is a remake of the 1992 single by ZAM, a co-ed idol group by DSP Media, mixing in future bass synths to the original song.[13] All members of KARD participated in writing, composing, and the arrangement of "Living Good," in which they expressed their gratitude to fans, family, and friends who supported their debut.[13]

Hola Hola debuted at number 6 on the Gaon Album Chart, on the chart issue dated July 16–22, 2017.[25] A week later, the EP peaked at number 2.[26] The EP also debuted at number 3 on the US World Albums chart, and at number 25 on the US Heatseekers Albums chart, on the week ending August 5, 2017.[27][28]

The EP placed at number 10 on the Gaon Album Chart for the month of July 2017, with 12,962 physical copies sold.[29] It has sold over 18,343 physical copies as of November 2017.[30]