Pandora (Kara EP) explained

Pandora
Type:ep
Artist:Kara
Cover:Pandora-EPcover.jpeg
Border:yes
Caption:Digital cover
Released:August 22, 2012
Recorded:2011–2012
Studio:DSP Studios
Genre:Synthpop
Length:16:02
Language:Korean
Label:DSP
Prev Title:Super Girl
Prev Year:2012
Next Title:Collection
Next Year:2012

Pandora is the fifth extended play (EP) by South Korean girl group Kara, released on August 22, 2012.[1]

Background

On August 6, 2012, the title track of the album was revealed.[2] The song was apparently leaked at KBS' radio show, 2FM Super Junior's "Kiss the Radio" on August 17. Following the leak, the group's representatives and the staff working for the show apologized on Twitter and posted a message on the radio community board.[3]

On August 7, 2012, the title was revealed by Kara's agency and explained its origin from Greek mythology. The concept of the album was to show the group's matured charms through a modern interpretation of Pandora's Box. Steward Ho for M.net noted that the group were about to "ditch their younger image and look more like empowered women".[4] Member Nicole Jung stated during the album's show case that the group aimed to display their "maturing feminism".[5]

Composition

The EP contains four songs plus an instrumental version of the title track. The group worked with Han Jae-ho and Kim Seung-soo along with Sweetune, who produced most of the group's past material. The title track, "Pandora", is a synthpop dance track.[6]

Promotion

The group held a showcase to promote the release of the Pandora EP at the Seoul Walkerhill Hotel on August 22.[7] The event was streamed live at M.net Global's website. The group's agency also stated that the members are devoting themselves towards the promotion of the album in South Korea.[7] [8] [9] [10]

The group began their weekly promotions for the album starting on KBS' Music Bank where they performed some of the album's songs including "Pandora" and "Miss U".[11]

A promotional truck that was entirely covered with the album's jacket cover traveled through various parts of Seoul, including Gangnam, Hongdae, Itaewon and Myeongdong.[12]

Critical reception

Enewsworld editor Erika Kim stated that the group had improved in their vocals. She complimented the member's role within the song and noted some influences from Japanese pop music such as the opening theme songs of magical-girl anime series like Sailor Moon.[13] Throughout the day of release, the members of the group also become the most searched terms on several popular Korean search engines which includes Naver and Daum.[14]

Following the music video's release, some concerns were raised regarding the group's suggestive choreography, a dance move where the members remove their jackets to reveal their backs. A representative for KBS's Music Bank stated that the group may need to make changes. However no changes were made when the group made their first televised performance on August 24 at the music program to start their weekly album promotion cycle.[11]

Commercial performance

In South Korea, the EP peaked at number 1 in Gaon Album Chart,[15] and the title track peaked at number 2 in Gaon Digital Chart. The other three songs from the EP, "Way", "Miss U", and "Idiot" also placed on the Gaon Digital Chart.[16] In Japan, the EP debuted at number 104 in Oricon Albums Chart through importation from South Korea. After the Japanese edition was released, the EP peaked number 15 on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart.[17]

Accolades

Year! scope="col"
CeremonyCategoryResult
2012Melon Music AwardsPopular Netizen Song Award
2013Golden Disc AwardsAlbum Bonsang[18]
Album Daesang
Popularity Award[19]
Program! width="150"
Date
Show ChampionAugust 28, 2012
Music BankSeptember 7, 2012[20]
M CountdownSeptember 13, 2012[21]

Track listing

[22]

Release history

Country Date Format Label Ref.
South KoreaAugust 22, 2012CD, Digital downloadDSP Media, CJ E&M
WorldwideDigital download[23]
TaiwanSeptember 28, 2012CD + DVDWarner Music Taiwan[24]
JapanOctober 31, 2012CDUniversal Sigma[25]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: KARA releases a new teaser image via their official homepage. 6 August 2012. MoneyToday StarNews via Nate. August 9, 2012. May 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511090318/https://news.nate.com/view/20120807n05193?mid=e0101. live.
  2. Web site: '22일 출격' 카라, 타이틀은 '판도라' . August 9, 2012 . August 20, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120820050516/http://www.mydaily.co.kr/news/read.html?newsid=201208080714561131&ext=na . live .
  3. Web site: KARA's Unpublished Song "Pandora" Leaked on Radio. 17 August 2012. Nate. August 18, 2012. May 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511090319/https://news.nate.com/view/20120817n22221. live.
  4. Web site: Kara Returns With a Mature Image in 'Pandora' Album Jacket. 10 August 2012. Steward Ho. August 10, 2012. August 18, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120818104120/http://global.mnet.com/news/newsdetail.m?searchNewsVO.news_id=201208101127_12114. live.
  5. Web site: KARA opens their 'Pandora' box at comeback showcase. 23 August 2012. Korea Star Daily. August 25, 2012.
  6. Web site: KARA reveals 'Pandora' to be 5th comeback album for comeback. 10 August 2012. Korea Star Daily. August 10, 2012. October 5, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131005022058/http://my.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/kara-reveals-pandora-to-be-5th-comeback-album-083400413.html. live.
  7. Web site: KARA to hold comeback showcase at the Seoul Walkerhill Hotel. 10 August 2012. Naver. August 10, 2012. May 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511090321/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0002246414. live.
  8. Web site: Kara Members Confess What They're Proud Of. 23 August 2012. Kim, JiYeon, CJ E&M enewsWorld. August 25, 2012. May 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511090319/https://sg.style.yahoo.com/tagged/celebrity/news/kara-members-confess-what-they-re-proud-of-113013153.html. live.
  9. Web site: Kara Showcase Proves to be a Fan Service-Filled Event. 22 August 2012. Nancy Lee, CJ E&M enewsWorld. August 25, 2012. May 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511090319/https://sg.style.yahoo.com/tagged/celebrity/news/kara-showcase-proves-to-be-a-fan-service-114008787.html. live.
  10. Web site: Kara Showcase Kicks Off with Powerful 'Pandora' Performance. 22 August 2012. Nancy Lee, CJ E&M enewsWorld. August 25, 2012. May 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511090344/https://sg.style.yahoo.com/tagged/celebrity/news/kara-showcase-kicks-off-with-powerful-pandora-performance-103009587.html. live.
  11. Web site: KARA may need to adjust "Pandora" dance for KBS's 'Music Bank'. 23 August 2012. Xsports News. August 25, 2012. May 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511090346/https://news.nate.com/view/20120823n17960. live.
  12. Web site: KARA's promotional 'Pandora' truck spotted around Seoul. 27 August 2012. Mydaily via Naver. August 27, 2012. May 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511090346/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0002263657. live.
  13. Web site: [Song Review – Star of the Week] Kara Levels Up with 'Pandora']. 9 September 2012. CJ E&M enewsWorld. September 15, 2012.
  14. Web site: KARA tops music charts with "Pandora". 22 August 2012. TV Report. August 25, 2012. May 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511090341/https://news.nate.com/view/20120823n05081?mid=e0101. live.
  15. Web site: 2012년 35주차 Album Chart. Gaon. February 2, 2015. February 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150203115308/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=35&hitYear=2012&termGbn=week. live.
  16. Web site: 2012년 35주차 Digital Chart. Gaon. February 2, 2015. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193034/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=35&hitYear=2012&termGbn=week. live.
  17. Web site: パンドラ – KARA. Oricon. February 2, 2015. February 12, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150212234847/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/503091/products/990649/1/. live.
  18. Web site: Golden Disc Awards – Winners History . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220508042745/https://www.goldendisc.co.kr/en/history . May 8, 2022 . May 8, 2022 . Golden Disc Awards.
  19. Web site: The 27th Golden Disk Awards Nominees . https://web.archive.org/web/20130110074149/http://kpopwave.joinsmsn.com/awards/27goldendisk/en/nominate.aspx?ptab_idx=2&pr_idx=1649&#main_menu . January 10, 2013 . May 10, 2022 . . usurped . ko.
  20. Web site: ko:카라, '뮤직뱅크' 1위…강지영, 앵콜무대서 '맨발 말춤' . https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/076/0002258455 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210511093223/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/076/0002258455 . May 11, 2021 . May 11, 2021 . n.news.naver.com . ko . Naver.
  21. Web site: 카라, '판도라'로 티아라 누르고 '엠카' 1위 . 2020-12-30 . n.news.naver.com . ko.
  22. Web site: Kara Mini Album Vol. 5 – Pandora. 17 August 2012. YesAsia. August 17, 2012. August 24, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120824011441/http://www.yesasia.com/us/kara-mini-album-vol-5-pandora/1031337342-0-0-0-en/info.html. live.
  23. Web site: iTunes – Music – Kara 5th Mini Album – Pandora – EP by Kara. August 22, 2012. iTunes. September 14, 2012. June 21, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130621121020/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/kara-5th-mini-album-pandora-ep/id555227100. live.
  24. Web site: 最新冠軍韓語迷你專輯 「女神潘朵拉 PANDORA」台灣獨占豪華影音限定盤(CD+DVD+KARA女神卡片組) 華納線上音樂雜誌. Warner Music Taiwan. September 14, 2012. Chinese. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120908011618/http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/3052. September 8, 2012. mdy-all.
  25. Web site: 韓国盤PANDORAリリース決定. September 28, 2012. Universal Sigma. October 7, 2012. Japanese. October 10, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121010095249/http://www.universal-music.co.jp/kara/news/2012/09/201200928release/. live.

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