Step (Kara album)


Step is the third Korean album by South Korean K-pop girl group Kara. It was released on September 6, 2011. A special limited edition was available for pre-order starting August 25, 2011.

Background and recording

On August 4, 2011, the group confirmed that they would be releasing their third official album in mid-September and would resume their activities in South Korea for the first time in over six months. It was also reported by industry representatives that the group had 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 were in the process of reviewing which songs to be used as the lead songs from the album.

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, in which they ultimately chose the latter.

Composition

The limited edition of the album contains a bonus track called "With My Heart ", which is the Korean version of "Ima, Okuritai 「Arigatou」" from their third Japanese single.
The album's title track was released as the lead single.

Release and promotion

A special edition of the album was available for pre-order on August 25, 2011, 10 days ahead of the official release. The special edition includes a 32-page booklet, a digipack, and a bonus track. According to DSP Media, the first 100 people to purchase the album would be chosen to attend a special showcase by KARA on September 14, 2011. DSP Media also teamed up with YouTube to deliver a special online series of three episodes titled "KARA Channel", which covered the group's preparations for the release of the album. The series began airing on Kara's official YouTube channel on September 7, 2011 and ended on September 21, 2011.
Due to the group's commitments with their schedule in Japan, they only promoted the album for three weeks.

Track listing

Notes
ReleasedOricon ChartPeak
September 15, 2011
October 5, 2011 		--
September 15, 2011
October 5, 2011 		Weekly Albums Chart5

Release history

Step (song)

"Step" was released as the lead single on September 6, 2011 to online music sites. The song was ranked fourteenth on the List of 21 Greatest K-pop Songs of All Time by Spin. An arranged version of "Step" is featured in the international arcade music games, DJ Max Technika 3 and Pump It Up Fiesta 2.

Release and artwork

On August 22, "Step" was announced by DSP Media as the lead single for the group's third full-length album, titled "Step", slated for release on September 6. The song was also included onto the limited edition of the group's second Japanese studio album, Super Girl. The Japanese version of the song was released on February 29, 2012 and is also included as a bonus track on the group's sixth Japanese single, "Speed Up / Girl's Power".

Music video

The full music video officially premiered on September 6. The video features the group dancing in front of microphones while dressed in deep blue clothes with colorful patterns. In the background, there are bright lighting signs that show the names of the group's past hit songs. In other scenes, the group can be seen individually in a bright room with colored walling dressed in colored neon clothing while jumping up. During the bridge of the song, the girls are seen dressed in glittering dresses and holding onto microphone stands in a plain white room.

Release and reception

Jen Erenza from Ryan Seacrest Blog described the video as "colorful" with "out-of-this-world scenes" and asserted, "With their super cute styles and head-bopping music, there is no doubt their popularity will rise stupendously!".

Live performances

The group began performing the song on TV music programs starting in September 15, on Mnet's M! Countdown. They also performed "Date " and "With My Heart " as a part of the group's performance. Due to the group's commitments with their schedule in Japan, they only performed the song on a few music shows for a total of three weeks.

Chart

Release history