KARA (카라) is a five-member girl South Korean pop girl group formed by DSP Media in 2007 and disbanded in 2016 but reunited in 2022. KARA is composed of: Gyuri, , Seungyeon, Nicole, Jiyoung, and Youngji. Former members include Sunghee and the late Hara.

The group name comes from the Greek word χαρά (chara), meaning “joy,” which the group members interpreted as “sweet melody.” KARA’s fandom name, “Kamilia,” is a blend of the group’s name and the Spanish word “familia,” meaning “family.” This symbolizes the close relationship between the group and their fans.

At the time of debut, the group was a quartet and consisted only of Gyuri, Seungyeon, Sunghee, and Nicole. Due to being successors of the girl group Fin.K.L, the group had high expectations. However, they were deemed a commercial flop despite their mature R&B sound, which was similar in regards to their senior sister group. After one year, member Sunghee left due to parental pressure and a focus on her education, and two new members, Hara and Jiyoung, were added to the lineup.

Despite initial failure, the group began achieving success in 2009, with their song “Honey,” earning them a top spot on South Korea’s Gaon charts. “Honey” also helped them get their first win on Mnet’s M Countdown, as well as the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards in the Best Dance category.

In 2010, the group debuted in Japan, with a Japanese version of the track “Mister.” The release would pay off for the group, gaining them popularity in the country.

Four years later, Nicole and Jiyoung announced their departures from the group, deciding not to renew their contracts with the company. This left the group as a trio, with Gyuri, Seungyeon, and Hara carrying the group. Later, in May 2014, the group announced a reality show which would look for a replacement member for the group. The show, which was titled KARA Project, crowned Youngji the winner. With her addition, the group was once again a quartet.

KARA later released the EP Day & Night, the first to feature a new member, which featured the title track “맘마미아 (Mamma Mia).”

Unfortunately, the company announced the group’s disbandment on January 15th, 2016, due to the decision of all members deciding not to renew their contracts with DSP Media.

On November 24th, 2019, member Hara sadly passed away, following a suicide attempt.

In 2022, KARA reunited for their 15th anniversary to release a special album titled MOVE AGAIN.

In 2024, KARA marked their return with the single “I DO I DO,” released on July 24, 2024​. Its release was accompanied by a pre-released B-side track, “Hello,” an emotional ballad featuring the vocals of all six members, including recordings from the late Hara. This track was initially planned to be released in their Full Bloom album in 2013, but it was omitted at the last minute.

“The song is now finished with the late Goo’s Korean vocals pre-recorded before her death, bringing all six members together,” the girl group’s agency, RBW, said Tuesday in a press release. (Goo had separately recorded a Japanese-language version of the song on her “Midnight Queen” single in 2019)“ (Variety).