K-pop stars gear up for November releases
By Dong Sun-hwa
The 2022 Qatar World Cup is likely to become the hottest talking point among people next month, but nevertheless, a wave of K-pop stars will continue their musical activities by putting out their new music offerings. Included in the lineup are girl group KARA, soloist AleXa and YooA of K-pop act OH MY GIRL.
KARA, one of the most sought-after second-generation girl groups that enjoyed its golden era from the late 2000s to the early 2010s, will unleash a new album on Nov. 29 in celebration of the 15th anniversary of its debut.
KARA is set to drop "MOVE AGAIN," about seven years after rolling out its seventh mini-album, "In Love," in 2015. Nicole and Jiyoung, who departed from the act in 2014, will join Gyuri, Seungyeon and Youngji this time to gear up for a fresh release, according to RBW.
RBW, which acquired KARA's management company, DSP Media, earlier this year, will work together with the members for their album. RBW is home to popular K-pop stars like MAMAMOO.
"KARA members recently took photos for their album and are at the final stage of recording their songs," RBW said in a statement. "All of them are striving to lift its quality."
The company added that "MOVE AGAIN" will show KARA's determination to perform on stage again and reunite with their fans, who have long been waiting for them.
After releasing the Japanese version of "MOVE AGAIN" on Dec. 21, KARA will hold a series of fan events in major cities like Osaka and Fukuoka. The group, which debuted in 2007 and rose to fame with tracks like, "Mister (2009) and "Lupin" (2010), basked in immense popularity in the neighboring country, becoming the first K-pop girl group to stage a concert at the Tokyo Dome ― the biggest baseball stadium in Japan's capital city, which can accommodate over 40,000 spectators ― in 2013.
AleXA is slated to make a comeback next month, too. Her new song, "Back in vogue," will arrive on Nov. 11, according to her agency, ZB Label.
On Saturday, the company took to the singer's official Twitter channel to float a teaser, in which AleXA narrates: "In life, there is a slew of harsh realities that we must face: heartbreak, misfortune, disappointment, betrayal, being shunned from one's own personal play. But in the times of our darkest hours, we must shine a light upon ourselves: a spotlight. Stepping into a fantasy to escape our reality, becoming a star of your own show, being fearless, being bold, being vogue."
AleXa, who burst onto the K-pop scene with the digital single, "Bomb," is the winner of the American Song Contest 2022, the U.S. adaptation of the international songwriting competition, "Eurovision." She took first place after performing the song, "Wonderland," as the representative of Oklahoma, her home hometown. AleXa was born to a Russian American father and a Korean American mother.
YooA of OH MY GIRL is also slated to bring out her second solo material next month, her record label, WM Entertainment, said.
It has taken about two years for her to return as a soloist, after making her solo debut with the mini-album, "Bon Voyage," in 2020. Its namesake lead single reigned atop multiple music streaming charts upon its release, with its music video hitting 10 million views on YouTube in only four days.
"YooA is currently working hard on her new release," the company said in a statement, without providing more information.
The 27-year-old debuted as part of OH MY GIRL in 2015. The group is best known for its hits such as "Secret Garden" (2018).
In addition to the aforementioned acts, boy band DRIPPIN and girl group Nature are also scheduled to release their new music offerings next month.
By Dong Sun-hwa
The 2022 Qatar World Cup is likely to become the hottest talking point among people next month, but nevertheless, a wave of K-pop stars will continue their musical activities by putting out their new music offerings. Included in the lineup are girl group KARA, soloist AleXa and YooA of K-pop act OH MY GIRL.
 |
| K-pop girl group KARA / Courtesy of RBW |
KARA, one of the most sought-after second-generation girl groups that enjoyed its golden era from the late 2000s to the early 2010s, will unleash a new album on Nov. 29 in celebration of the 15th anniversary of its debut.
KARA is set to drop "MOVE AGAIN," about seven years after rolling out its seventh mini-album, "In Love," in 2015. Nicole and Jiyoung, who departed from the act in 2014, will join Gyuri, Seungyeon and Youngji this time to gear up for a fresh release, according to RBW.
RBW, which acquired KARA's management company, DSP Media, earlier this year, will work together with the members for their album. RBW is home to popular K-pop stars like MAMAMOO.
"KARA members recently took photos for their album and are at the final stage of recording their songs," RBW said in a statement. "All of them are striving to lift its quality."
The company added that "MOVE AGAIN" will show KARA's determination to perform on stage again and reunite with their fans, who have long been waiting for them.
After releasing the Japanese version of "MOVE AGAIN" on Dec. 21, KARA will hold a series of fan events in major cities like Osaka and Fukuoka. The group, which debuted in 2007 and rose to fame with tracks like, "Mister (2009) and "Lupin" (2010), basked in immense popularity in the neighboring country, becoming the first K-pop girl group to stage a concert at the Tokyo Dome ― the biggest baseball stadium in Japan's capital city, which can accommodate over 40,000 spectators ― in 2013.
 |
| K-pop singer AleXa / Courtesy of ZB Label |
On Saturday, the company took to the singer's official Twitter channel to float a teaser, in which AleXA narrates: "In life, there is a slew of harsh realities that we must face: heartbreak, misfortune, disappointment, betrayal, being shunned from one's own personal play. But in the times of our darkest hours, we must shine a light upon ourselves: a spotlight. Stepping into a fantasy to escape our reality, becoming a star of your own show, being fearless, being bold, being vogue."
AleXa, who burst onto the K-pop scene with the digital single, "Bomb," is the winner of the American Song Contest 2022, the U.S. adaptation of the international songwriting competition, "Eurovision." She took first place after performing the song, "Wonderland," as the representative of Oklahoma, her home hometown. AleXa was born to a Russian American father and a Korean American mother.
 |
| YooA of K-pop act OH MY GIRL / Courtesy of WM Entertainment |
It has taken about two years for her to return as a soloist, after making her solo debut with the mini-album, "Bon Voyage," in 2020. Its namesake lead single reigned atop multiple music streaming charts upon its release, with its music video hitting 10 million views on YouTube in only four days.
"YooA is currently working hard on her new release," the company said in a statement, without providing more information.
The 27-year-old debuted as part of OH MY GIRL in 2015. The group is best known for its hits such as "Secret Garden" (2018).
In addition to the aforementioned acts, boy band DRIPPIN and girl group Nature are also scheduled to release their new music offerings next month.
![[INTERVIEW] Disney+ 'Big Bet' director on portraying greed and desire](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/af0ee9846e3f45a7b59c1a5b449291c6.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
