[TRACK-BY-TRACK REVIEW]“PANDORA” box packed with KARA's feminine charms

Cover image of KARA's fifth mini-album "PANDORA," rolled out on August 22, 2012. [DSP Entertainment]

KARA members Park Gyu-lee (left), Kang Ji-young (second to left), Han Seung-yeon (center), Nicole (second to right), and Gu Hara (right) pose with grace for their fifth mini-album "PANDORA," rolled out on August 22, 2012. [DSP Entertainment]

KARA, which means a sweet melody in Latin, is one of a few veteran girl groups that have achieved noticeable popularity both in domestic and international music markets.

There is no doubt about KARA being a sole trailblazer of Japan’s Hallyu phenomenon, having achieved the gold status 11 times with their singles released to date since making their official debut in the country in 2010.

Passing through the good and the bad times during the five years their music career, KARA has finally returned to the local music scene by dropping the fifth mini-album, “PANDORA,” on August 22.

To appeal more mature side of themselves as all grown women, the stars’ mysterious box of Greek beauty is filled with four tunes featuring from light medium tempo tunes to strong synthesized sounds.

Track #1 Way

If you are familiar with Korean, the words “Paran Sagua," which means a blue apple. will instantly get caught by your ears. As you can easily guess from the words, the first track of “PANDORA” is consisted of fairy-tale-like lyrics and sounds.

With some interesting sounds you can hear from computer games popping up occasionally, the five members’ distinctive voice colors feel like whispering the hidden secret of an old tale. The tune’s mystique feelings also help listeners to completely fall into the record.

Track #2 PANDORA

The cathy prelude and unique string instrument sounds make it clear that the title tune is undoubtedly the offspring of hit songwriter duo Sweetune.

Bursting out the cooling synthesized sounds throughout the whole three minutes, the tune reminds fans of “Lupin,” the title track of third mini-album of the same name in 2010.

As member Gu Hara explains, this is probably the a song from their discography that best expresses a girl confessing her love to her lover.

This vividness is not only limited to its lyrics and melody. The costume and choreography for “PANDORA” were proved to be also dazzling when they first revealed the tune's live performance at a showcase held in Seoul on Wednesday.

The five Pandoras, donned in tight bodysuits and long-sleeve jackets, exuded their feminine charms with perfect synchronized dance moves to reporters and hailing fans.

Among about 900 local and Japanese fans, the biggest shouting came out when the five girls performed their highlight dance moves during the tune's bridge part: taking off their jacket and showing back skin.

Track #3 IDIOT

After listening to the rich retro punk sounds, a candy pop that shows KARA’s girly side is played on. The minimal rhythm line, mixed with light synthesized sounds, light up the relatively serious mood of the girl group's record.

While a thin layer of session highlights each member’s voice, the tune seems to be welcome by fans from the veteran girl group’s earlier days, when they sang “If U Wanna,” the follow-up track of their debut album in 2007 and “Pretty Girl,” their first hit tune in 2008.

Track #4 Miss U

The last song, except for instrument-only version of the title tune, shows how the singers have worked hard to enhance their vocal skills. With a musical-like arrangement and jazzy sound playing in the background, the group shows their refreshing charm.

At the showcase, the idols captured the hearts of some 900 fans while making lovely and charming gestures for this performance. Just a single gesture of Park Gyu-lee waving at fans and Gu Hara saying "Hello" have literally made the crowd go mad.

KARA's Gu Hara (left), Han Seung-yeon (second to left), Park Gyu-lee (second to right) and Kang Ji-young (right) show active dance moves to "PANDORA," at a press conference opened during their fifth mini-album "PANDORA" showcase held at the Walkerhill Hotel located in Seoul, South Korea on August 22, 2012. [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

KARA's Han Seung-yeon (left), Nicole (second to left), Kang Ji-young (center), Gu Hara (second to right) and Park Gyu-lee (right) show finale dance moves of "PANDORA" at a press conference opened during their fifth mini-album "PANDORA" showcase held at the Walkerhill Hotel located in Seoul, South Korea on August 22, 2012. [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

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Reporter : Lee Hye Ji hjlee@
Editor : Monica Suk monicasuk@