KARA named most popular Korean artist in Japan

KARA (DSP media)

KARA, one of the most popular Korean pop groups in Japan, was ranked 6th in the “2012 First Half Talent Power Ranking” according to Nikkei Entertainment, a Japanese entertainment magazine. 

South Korean girl group Kara performs at the MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia, in Petaling Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, July 14, 2012. (AP-Yonhap News)

The five-member girl group proved its popularity, ranking the highest out of hallyu stars in Japan. The result was a pleasant surprise for the group as it ranked after the five members of Arashi, a Japanese boy group, who took the top five spots.

The survey of teenage girls in Japan placed KARA as the only foreign group in the top ten, beating out popular Japanese girl group AKB48 as well. 

MTV World Stage Live (AP-Yonhap News)

In addition, the girl group set the record of having sold 1,000,000 copies of its album in 23 months, the shortest time for a Korean artist. 

MTV World Stage Live (AP-Yonhap News)

By Lee Hyun-jae, Intern reporter
(lhj137@heraldm.com)

Source & Image : The Korea Herald

After School, NU’EST, Hello Venus leaders exchange albums and snap a photo backstage

A new photo of After School, NU’EST, and Hello Venus‘ leaders is causing quite the stir among fans.

On July 17th, After School, NU’EST, and Hello Venus all gathered at MBCmusic‘s ‘Show Champion‘ on July 17th to perform “Flashback“, “Action“, and “Like a Wave“, respectively.

After their performances came to an end, they all gathered at the dressing room, and Jung Ah, JR, and Ara stood together for a ‘leader photo’.

After School’s Jung Ah shared the photo on Google+ with the message: ”A meeting of the Pledis leaders~^^ Displaying our ‘Leader’s Class’ as we exchange albums! Please listen to the songs of all three of our groups~^^♥“.

Despite being under the same agency, the three artists rarely have a chance to see one another as they all have busy schedules. Now that they all happen to be promoting their songs at the same time, the label mates had a chance to catch up at the music program, and their bond reportedly evoked envy among their peers

Netizens left comments such as, “They must feel secure when they are all together like that,” “My eyes are pleased. All so pretty and handsome,” “So cute that they are exchanging albums like that,” and more.