Step (album)

Step
	Cover of the special edition
Studio album
Released	6 September 2011; 5 October 2011; 7 October 2011
Recorded	2011
Format	Download, CD
Genre	Pop
Number of songs	10
Length	32:01
Language	Korean
Label	DSP Media
Distribution	CJ E&M; Universal Sigma; Warner Music Taiwan
Chronology
Singles
6 September 2011	Step
Weitere Cover
	Normal edition cover
KARA

Step is the 3rd Korean studio album by KARA. It was released on 6 September 2011.

Background and recording[]

The group began work for Step in April 2011.^[2] 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!". DSP Media stated that the group are in the process of reviewing which songs to be used as the lead song from the album.^[3]

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.^[4]

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 "Mister".^[2] 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.

Release and promotion[]

A special limited edition was available for pre-order starting August 25, 2011.^[5] The special edition includes a 32-page booklet, a digipack and a bonus track. Those who buy the limited edition will be entered into a draw, and 100 of them will be randomly chosen and invited to a showcase on 14 September.^[6] DSP Media also teamed up with YouTube 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 will start airing at Kara's official YouTube channel on September 7, 2011.^[7]

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.^[3]

Track listing[]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"EY! OH!"	1:01
2.	"Step"	3:21
3.	"Rider"	3:03
4.	"Strawberry"	3:31
5.	"Follow Me (따라와)"	3:29
6.	"Date (My Boy)"	3:22
7.	"I Am... (Ing) (나는..) (Acoustic Version)"	3:58
8.	"Kara 4 U"	1:03
9.	"Step (Instrumental)"	3:21
10.	"With My Heart (Dear Kamilia)"	5:49

Notes

"I Am... (Ing) (Acoustic Version)" 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".

Chart performance[]

Charts	Position	Dates
South Korea Gaon Chart	1 (... weeks)	4 to 10 September 2011

External links[]

Step at iTunes
Special edition at Hanteo
Normal edtion at Hanteo

References[]

↑ http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/node/134
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Lee, Hyo-won (2011-09-13). The girls are coming back home. {{{work}}}. Korea Times. Retrieved 2011-09-13 (Korean).
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Template:Ko icon {{{last}}}, {{{first}}} (2011-08-05). 카라 ‘너무 바빠’ 9월 국내 컴백 ‘3주만 활동’. . Nate. Retrieved 2011-08-25 ().
↑ {{{last}}}, {{{first}}} (2011-08-05). '9월 컴백' 카라, 타이틀곡 고심 중.."발랄이냐, 카리스마냐". . Nate. Retrieved 2011-08-25 (ko).
↑ {{{last}}}, {{{first}}} (2011-08-23). 카라, 정규 3집으로 국내 컴백 초읽기. . Nate. Retrieved 2011-08-25 (ko).
↑ {{{last}}}, {{{first}}} (2011-08-24). KARA to Release New Album. {{{work}}}. Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved 2011-09-12 (ko).
↑ Template:Ko icon {{{last}}}, {{{first}}} (2011-08-26). 카라, 유튜브 생방송으로 국내 팬들과 적극교류 시작. . Newsen. Retrieved 2011-08-30 ().

KARA

Gyuri • Seungyeon • Hara • Youngji

Kim Sunghee • Nicole • Jiyoung

Studio albums	The First Bloooooming • Revolution • Girl’s Talk • Step • Full Bloom
EPs	Rock U • Pretty Girl (Special Edition) • Lupin • Jumping • Pandora • Day & Night • In Love
Compilations	Kara Best 2007-2010
Music videos	Break It • If U Wanna • Rock U • Pretty Girl • Honey • Same Heart • Wanna • Lupin • We’re With You • Mister • 2ME • Jumping • Jet Coaster Love • Go Go Summer! • Step • Speed Up • Pandora • Damaged Lady • Mamma Mia • Cupid
TV series	Kara’s Meta Friends • Kara Bakery • URAKARA • KARA the Animation • Secret Love

Korean website • Japanese website • International Forums

[1] ttp://www.warnermusic.com.tw/node/134

[Korea_Times-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Lee, Hyo-won (2011-09-13). The girls are coming back home. {{{work}}}. Korea Times. Retrieved 2011-09-13 (Korean).

[comeback-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Template:Ko icon {{{last}}}, {{{first}}} (2011-08-05). 카라 ‘너무 바빠’ 9월 국내 컴백 ‘3주만 활동’. . Nate. Retrieved 2011-08-25 ().

[4] {{{last}}}, {{{first}}} (2011-08-05). '9월 컴백' 카라, 타이틀곡 고심 중.."발랄이냐, 카리스마냐". . Nate. Retrieved 2011-08-25 (ko).

[5] {{{last}}}, {{{first}}} (2011-08-23). 카라, 정규 3집으로 국내 컴백 초읽기. . Nate. Retrieved 2011-08-25 (ko).

[6] {{{last}}}, {{{first}}} (2011-08-24). KARA to Release New Album. {{{work}}}. Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved 2011-09-12 (ko).

[7] Template:Ko icon {{{last}}}, {{{first}}} (2011-08-26). 카라, 유튜브 생방송으로 국내 팬들과 적극교류 시작. . Newsen. Retrieved 2011-08-30 ().

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