Kara ranks as top new artist on Japan's mobile music chart

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

Girl group Kara has been selected best new artist of the year on a top Japanese mobile music chart.

The website for RecoChoku, Japan's largest and most comprehensive mobile music chart, announced Saturday that between December 1 of last year to November 30 this year, Kara’s music received the most downloads in full version and the second-most downloads in short version, both in terms of new artist.

Also, their music video for “Mister,” the girls' first single in Japan, took first place on the annual chart for mobile video downloads and third place in terms of video clip ranking.

Separately, “Mister” has ranked No.1 on itunes Store VIDEO CLIP and their second single "Jumping” at No.2.

Composed of members Gu Hara, Han Seung-yeon, Park Gyu-lee, Kang Ji-young and Nicole, Kara made their debut in Korea with their first album "Blooming" in 2007.

The quintet expanded their career to Japan in August this year after signing with Universal Music Sigma, a branch of Universal Music group.

The girls, currently active in both Korea and Japan are also busy preparing for their upcoming debut in Japanese drama “URKARA” which will go on air in January next year.

Source: Heidi Kim @ 10Asia

Yay! Kara is doing so well in Japan.

Comments

[anthonymarie.livejournal.com]

well obviously.

[sparklop.livejournal.com]

KARA > SNSD in japan despite what some isones like to think

[sylviya.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think Kara's image is more suited to Japan and they've just got that Jpop feel to them idk

[streetliights.livejournal.com]

don't forget goo hara and her like-ness to japan's queen namie~

[feel-my-mind.livejournal.com]

Kara is more successful (deservingly so, they put tons more energy into), but SNSD fit in fine too. There not hurting Kara or themselves by staying there.

Big Bang, 4minute, Brown Eyed Girls, ect should all stay in Korea.

[feel-my-mind.livejournal.com]

I do too. (In fact, I loudly protest against them going in the first place), but making up things like "their not suited" when their cute, but slightly sexy image is what Japan eats up is just silly.

Just say it straight out.

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

I think isones (or at least ones who visit omona) know it, but ksones and general Koreans don't probably realize how Kara is beating their national group in Japan.

[plantbottle.livejournal.com]

this so much, lol. I'm an isone myself, but...it's so true.

[browncardboard.livejournal.com]

this

[redglare.livejournal.com]

DAMN, DAT ASS

[toomanysides.livejournal.com]

The source: http://recochoku.jp/recochoku_ranking/yearly_index.html#top

SNSD is on it also, and if you want there is a full list which I think both Kara and SNSD show up in pretty much all the category top50. And wouldn't you also bold the sentence after too...

I sad that Nicole doesn't do the butt dance like that anymore, she's toned it down. I bet she is just tired of doing it...

[meccamputech.livejournal.com]

i want snsd on a break.
a well rested extended break.

[toomanysides.livejournal.com]

both of them need a break, they are all so tired :(

[feel-my-mind.livejournal.com]

I've never gotten why people feel this way. Kara is doing better (deservingly so), but SNSD is doing fine too. SNSD is on all the same Recochoku charts as Kara, just a couple spaces behind and their physical sales are better. Clearly, they aren't hurting each other.

However, almost all other Korean artist (4minute, BEG, Big Bang, F.T. Island, ect) would do better to remain in Korea.

[notyourgeisha.livejournal.com]

Actually FTI isn't hurting too much - their last single sold some 20k+ in the first week, which really isn't bad for bands at all.

[toomanysides.livejournal.com]

ZE:A is also doing way better than they are in Korea. It pales if you compare it to other groups but it's a whole lot better than battling it out in Korea for them.

[feel-my-mind.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but they have the Big Bang problem. Its all front loaded, so (like lots of Jidol groups), you pretty much can guess that a lot of the sales are going from overseas or people buying multiple copies.

And your right, Jbands that are really popular with the public (Aqua Timez, Ikimonogakari, Greeeen, Kobukuro, FUNKY MONKEY BABYS ect) don't really sell well, but they make that up with movie/anime/drama contracts, ringtone downloads and concerts, whereas nobody really has ever heard of F.T. Island. I don't ever think I've ever seen them on Recochoku.

I say this as a huge F.T Island fan and someone that loves their Japanese music too.

[feel-my-mind.livejournal.com]

Lol.

With all those albums sales, I see that you missed the point. F.T Islands last release was a single which is what I was comparing it too.

For their last singles:
Iki: 65,287
FMB: 64,325
Greeeen: 140,340
Kokukuro: 113,000

And also, using last year Yearly Oricon, the highest was Greeeen in the 40s. Not say these are bad, but its not the same as what a pop or idol artist can get, despite the fact they are FAR more popular with the general public as seen by their longevity on the charts and crazy sold out concerts.

[feel-my-mind.livejournal.com]

Yes, but first Kara has more time to spare and speak better Japanese, so I really hope they draw attention from the public. And, second that probably not SME's main concern right now, since SNSD draws people/companies more for concerts and contracts. In the music industry, that is the most important. Artist don't make their money from cd sales (heck even artist that write their own music, make pennies for each cd), but from ad and concert revenue. There really no point in telling them to go back when they're making more than enough money.

I'm a huge fan of both, so I'm not insulting Kara here. Heck, Kara deserves to do better because their investing actual time, but SNSD is doing fine in terms of revenue and that is the most important. Its good business. So saying there should go back when they're making tons of money is laughable.

[feel-my-mind.livejournal.com]

Actually I was just talking about the Music Industry in general, I wasn't talking about the break down in any one country. Generally speaking, most of the money comes from ad or other contracts, concerts and other products. CD sales don't mean shit, expect for the fact they allowed you to get the other things.

SNSD is fine. I hate that people always want to predict what will happen in terms of success. As far as I'm concern, almost all pop acts will dry up no matter how long or short they exist (For Japanese examples, take a look a Koda Kumi. Or even former queen Ayu who just keep going down. IIn the world of pop world music nothing last forever), so why not take advantage it while its hot.

[browncardboard.livejournal.com]

+1

[streetliights.livejournal.com]

goo hara is helping them so much it looks like.
but i'm happy for them :D

[jewelry-flower.livejournal.com]

Well, as for the live perf skills, I prefer SNSD. Kara's live is....well...not reach my expectation.

But I'd choose Kara for Japanese pronunciation :) They do have the J-aura more than SNSD :)

[laos7.livejournal.com]

Get it gurls~~

[leftysrockk.livejournal.com]

Get it bbs.

perfect oneechans~♥

[ethereal-limbo.livejournal.com]

[lenra.livejournal.com]

precious gif *_*

[gabucha26.livejournal.com]

Kashiyuka! ♥

[ethereal-limbo.livejournal.com]

it's true that kara is doing much better, but to be fair, snsd isn't really promoting that hard, i think. i'm not really an snsd stan though, so i wouldn't know...

[monceri.livejournal.com]

so happy for them! they get what they deserve :) work it girls!

[feel-my-mind.livejournal.com]

Good job for Kara! They deserve this so much. Especially for all the troubles they have been through and how under appreciate they are in Korea! The girls seem so happy too.

And SNSD for being a couple spaces behind them (They're 4). :)

[notyourgeisha.livejournal.com]

Can I make a Christmas wish and get one Kara/SNSD in Japan article (that's not about both of them at the same time) without the SNSD/Kara is better/worse/more successful/less floppy than the other comments? They're both new to the market and honestly they're both doing fine...and it seriously deflates stanning for everyone involved -__-

[toomanysides.livejournal.com]

I hope you get your wish bb :)

But honestly I kind of want Japan to be their domain like how SNSD is so overwhelming popular in Korea (and a bunch of other places). But whatevers SOKA domination.

[pumpkinskin.livejournal.com]

well then
i would like to extend an invitation to snsd and wg to promote in my bedroom
where they are both equally loved

[toomanysides.livejournal.com]

in a perfect world they would all be equally loved

[sballet06.livejournal.com]

+1

They both are doing well. Kara is doing slightly better.
Neither one is flopping/needs to go back to Korea/deserves it more than the other. SoKa are the girl groups I've liked since I got started in Kpop and I'd like to celebrate both groups successes.

[nanohh.livejournal.com]

+!

[feel-my-mind.livejournal.com]

+1

SoKa for the win.


(hmm, I've always wondered why its Soka and not Kashi (lol) or SoRa)

[notyourgeisha.livejournal.com]

OT but have you ever had any Kashi cereal/snack mixes? Omg it makes my tongue melt, 5 bucks for a tiny box of cereal has never been more worth it :Q___________

...yeah if it were Kashi I would just be too distracted by the mentioning of food and would probably never have learned who these Kara or SNSD were.

[feel-my-mind.livejournal.com]

I have, that is why there was the lol.

Never had it though. I don't like cereal in general or have the money to spend like that.

[notyourgeisha.livejournal.com]

>__________> way to make me feel even more guilty about my post-failing exam splurges bb...

[feel-my-mind.livejournal.com]

lol.

I'm like addicted to Starbucks Tall Carmel Frappicinos, which is why I have to smart about everything else if that makes you feel better.

[cinnabun11.livejournal.com]

I really enjoy watching Kara on Japanese variety shows and such
It seems like they fit in really well there