Step (Kara album)

Step is the fourth studio album and third Korean release by South Korean girl group Kara, released on September 6, 2011.[1][2] A special limited edition was available for pre-order starting August 25, 2011.[3][4] By the end of 2011, Step sold 100,662 copies in South Korea.,[5] the album was shortlisted in Asia Association Music Prize.

Step
Studio album by
Kara
ReleasedSeptember 6, 2011
Recorded2011
StudioDSP Studios
Genre
Length32:01
LanguageKorean
LabelDSP
Kara chronology
Girl's Talk
(2010)		 Step
(2011)		 Super Girl
(2011)
Singles from Step
  1. "Step"
    Released: September 6, 2011

Background and recording

On August 4, 2011, the group confirmed that they would be releasing their third official album in mid-September and would resume their activities in South Korea for the first time in over six months. It was also reported by industry representatives that the group had 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 were in the process of reviewing which songs to be used as the lead songs from the album.[6]

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, in which they ultimately chose the latter.[7]

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 to purchase the album would 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 covered the group's preparations for the release of the album. The series began airing on Kara's official YouTube channel on September 7, 2011, and ended on September 21, 2011.[8] Due to the group's commitments with their schedule in Japan, they only promoted the album for three weeks.[6]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementsLength
1."EY! OH!" (Intro)Park Se Hyun, Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae MinPark Se Hyun, Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae MinPark Se Hyun, Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae Min1:01
2."Step"Song Soo YoonHan Jae Ho, Kim Seung SooHan Jae Ho, Kim Seung Soo, Hong Seunghyun3:21
3."Rider"Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae MinYoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae MinYoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae Min3:03
4."Strawberry"Zig Zag NoteZig Zag NoteZig Zag Note3:31
5."Follow Me" (따라와; Ddarawa)Zig Zag NoteZig Zag NoteZig Zag Note3:29
6."Date (My Boy)"Kim Won Hyun, Jang Sang HukKim Won HyunKim Won Hyun3:22
7."I Am... (Ing)" (나는..; Naneun..) (Acoustic Version)Kim Bo-Ah, Lee JoohyungKim Bo-Ah, Lee JoohyungLee Joohyung3:58
8."Kara 4 U" (Outro)Park Se Hyun, Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae MinPark Se Hyun, Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae MinPark Se Hyun, Yoo Hyun-Sang, Jang Jae Min1:03
9."Step" (Instrumental) Han Jae Ho, Kim Seung SooHan Jae Ho, Kim Seung Soo, Hong Seunghyun3:21
10."With My Heart (Dear Kamilia)" (Bonus Track)Park Hae InSimon IsogaiSimon Isogai5:49
Total length:32:01
DVD (Taiwan CD+DVD version)
No.TitleLength
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".

Charts

Release history
CountryDateFormatLabel
Japan[11] October 5, 2011 CD Universal Music Japan
Taiwan[12] October 7, 2011 CD & DVD Warner Music Taiwan

References
  1. (in Korean) 카라, 유튜브 통해 음원 공개 순간 모습 방송 (Kara to Release Profile Videos on YouTube After Album Release) Archived April 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. The Chosun Ilbo. September 5, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  2. (in Korean) 컴백 앞둔 카라, 신곡 공개후 유튜브 이색 생중계 (Soon-to-Come-Back Kara to Showcase Special Videos After Single Release) Archived June 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Money Today. September 5, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  3. 카라, 정규 3집으로 국내 컴백 초읽기 (in Korean). Nate. August 23, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  4. "YESASIA: Kara Vol. 3 – Step (Special Edition) (Limited Edition) CD – Kara, DSP Media – Korean Music – Free Shipping". YesAsia. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  5. "Album Chart – 2011". Circle Chart. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  6. 카라 '너무 바빠' 9월 국내 컴백 '3주만 활동' (in Korean). Nate. August 5, 2011. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  7. '9월 컴백' 카라, 타이틀곡 고심 중.."발랄이냐, 카리스마냐" (in Korean). Nate. August 5, 2011. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  8. 카라, 유튜브 생방송으로 국내 팬들과 적극교류 시작 (in Korean). Newsen. August 26, 2011. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  9. "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. Archived from the original on October 14, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  10. "G-Music J-pop Album Chart - 2011 Week 43" (in Chinese). October 27, 2011. Archived from the original on November 1, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  11. (in Japanese) Website of Universal Music Archived September 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  12. "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. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
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