Pandora (EP)

Pandora
Digital EP cover
EP by Kara
Released	August 22, 2012 (see release history)
Recorded	2011-2012
Genre	Dance-pop, synthpop
Length	16:02
Language	Korean
Label	DSP Media, CJ E&M
Producer	Kim Seung-soo, Han Jae-ho
Kara chronology
Hits! Hits! (2012) Pandora (2012) Kara Collection (2012)
Kara Korean singles chronology
"Step" (2011) "Pandora" (2012) "Runaway" (2013)
Singles from Pandora
"Pandora" Released: August 22, 2012

Pandora is the fifth EP by South Korean pop girl group, Kara. It was released on August 22, 2012.^[1]

Background

On August 6, 2012, the title track of the Pandora album was revealed.^[2] The song was apparently leaked at KBS' radio show, 2FM Super Junior's "Kiss the Radio" on August 17. Following the leak, the group's representatives and the staff working for the show apologized on Twitter and posted a message on the radio community board.^[3]

On August 7, 2012, the EP's title was revealed by Kara's agency and explained its origin from Greek mythology. The concept of the album was to show the group's matured charms through a modern interpretation of Pandora's Box.^[2] Steward Ho for M.net noted that the group were about to "ditch their younger image and look more like empowered women".^[4]

Group member Nicole Jung stated during the album's show case that the group aimed to display their "maturing feminism".^[5]

Composition

The EP contains four songs plus an instrumental version of the title track. The group worked with Han Jae-ho and Kim Seung-soo along with Sweetune, who produced most of the group's past material. The title track, "Pandora", is a synth-pop dance track.^[2][6]

Promotion

The group held a showcase to promote the release of the Pandora EP at the Seoul Walkerhill Hotel on August 22.^[7] The event was streamed live at M.net Global's website. The group's agency also stated that the members are devoting themselves towards the promotion of the album in South Korea.^{[7][8][9][10]}

The group began their weekly promotions for the album starting on KBS' Music Bank where they performed some of the album's songs including "Pandora" and "Miss U".^[11]

A promotional truck that was entirely covered with the album's jacket cover traveled through various parts of Seoul, including Gangnam, Hongdae, Itaewon and Myeongdong.^[12]

Critical response

Enewsworld editor Erika Kim stated that the group had improved in their vocals. She complimented the member's role within the song and noted some influences from Japanese pop music such as the opening theme songs of magical-girl anime series like Sailor Moon.^[13]

Following the music video's release, some concerns were raised regarding the group's suggestive choreography, a dance move where the members remove their jackets to reveal their backs. A representative for KBS's Music Bank stated that the group may need to make changes. However no changes were made when the group made their first televised performance on August 24 at the music program to start their weekly album promotion cycle.^[11]

The Pandora EP went to number 1 on Gaon's albums chart,^[14] and the title track reached number 2 on the Gaon digital songs chart. Three non-promotional album charts, "Way", "Miss U", and "Idiot" also placed on the Gaon digital songs chart.^[15] The Japanese edition of the EP made it to number 15 on the Oricon weekly album chart.^[16]

Tracklisting

^[17]

Chart performance

Throughout the day of release, the members of the group also become the most searched terms on several popular Korean search engines which includes Naver and Daum.^[19] The Korean edition of the EP debuted at the position number 104 in Japan's Oricon albums chart through only importation of the EP from South Korea.

Release history

References