In Love is the seventh extended play released by the South Korean girl group Kara, on May 26, 2015 with the lead single "Cupid".[1]

In Love
From clock-wise left to right: Seung-yeon (bottom), Gyu-ri (top), Ha-ra and Young-ji
EP by
ReleasedMay 26, 2015 (2015-05-26)
Recorded2015
StudioDSP Studios
GenreDance-pop
Length19:59
LanguageKorean
Label
Kara chronology
Day & Night
(2014)
In Love
(2015)
Girl's Story
(2015)
Singles from In Love
  1. "Cupid"
    Released: May 26, 2015

This marks their final release under DSP prior the expired contract in early 2016 and last Korean release featuring member Hara before her death in 2019.[2][3]

Background

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On April 14, 2015, DSP Media confirmed that the group will be releasing their seventh mini album in May. The girls were reportedly working with a new team to show their transformation while pouring their heart and soul into the album production.[4] During the album showcase, the members stated that their goal with the album was to show the evolution of the definition of being "KARA-style" while maintaining the "healthy, energetic image" that their fans originally admired about them. Member Seungyeon stated that while maintaining this style, they wanted to start a new golden era.[5]

Composition

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The mini album contains six tracks. The promotional track, "Cupid", was described as a rhythmical track with shuffle elements and is a fun, flirtatious song about a girl wanting to capture the heart of her love interest. It was produced by e.one, who previously worked with Rain, EXO, Shinhwa and A Pink.[6]

Promotions

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The group revealed the title track for the album, "Cupid", at the 2015 Dream Concert on May 23 before the official release of the album and song.[7][8][9] After which, the group held an album showcase on May 26, which is the same day as the EP's release, at the Blue Square Samsung Card Hall at 8PM KST. It was broadcast live on 1theK's YouTube channel, and they also had an exclusive interview before the live event.[10][11] They began their promotion cycle in music programs starting from MBC's Show Champion by performing "Starlight" and the promotional single "Cupid" on May 28. The following week, they took first place and won a trophy on their comeback stage at MTV Korea's The Show on June 2.[12] The group wrap up the promotion cycle for the album on June 21, 2015.[13]

In Love showcase set list
  1. Cupid (큐피드)
  2. In Those Days (그땐 그냥)
  3. Mamma Mia (맘마 미아)
  4. Talk
  5. Starlight
  6. Step
  7. Go Go Summer! (Korean version)
  8. Cupid (encore)

Track listing

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The track listing for 'In Love' was revealed on May 22 at 12AM KST on Kara's official Twitter. A video of the album preview was uploaded on Kara's official YouTube channel as well.[14][15]

Official track listing[16]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Starlight"
  • Lee Ju-hyung
  • Chu Dae-kwan
  • Lee Ju-hyung
  • Chu Dae-kwan
  • Lee Ju-hyung
  • Chu Dae-kwan
3:29
2."Cupid" (큐피드)
  • Nassun
  • e.one[a]
  • EJ SHOW
  • e.one
  • EJ SHOW
  • e. one
  • EJ SHOW
3:25
3."In Those Days" (그땐그냥)어벤전승어벤전승어벤정승3:19
4."I Luv Me"
  • Kang Jun-myung
  • Nam Gi-sang
  • Kwon Sun-ig
  • Kim Jae-woong
  • Nam Gi-sang
  • Jung Taek-jun
  • Kim Jae-woong
  • Jung Taek-jun
3:08
5."Peek-A-Boo" (Gyu-ri and Young-ji)Yoon Young-min
  • Park Soo-suk
  • Yoon Young-min
  • Park Soo-suk
  • Yoon Young-min
3:18
6."Dreamlover" (Gyu-ri and Seung-yeon)Dittomood
  • Lee Jun-yeop
  • MachWave
  • Lee Jun-yeop
  • MachWave
3:29
Total length:19:59

Commercial performance

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On its first week of release, the album reached number two on Gaon Chart's National Physical Albums ranking. The promotional single, Cupid, also earned 69,802 of online downloads and also ranked number one in the Gaon Social Chart with 73,242 points.[17]

Chart performance

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Chart Peak
position
South Korea Gaon weekly album chart[17] 2

Sales and certifications

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Chart Amount
Gaon physical sales[18] 8,220+
Oricon physical sales 3,022+

Release history

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Country Date Format Label
South Korea[19][20] May 26, 2015 CD, Digital download DSP Media
LOEN Entertainment
Worldwide Digital download

Notes

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  1. ^ e.one is a music production team composed of Choi Hyun-joon (member of V.O.S) and Jung Ho-hyun.

References

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  1. ^ "카라, '인 러브' 컴백 "귀여우면서 건강미 넘치는 무대 표현" 기대감 UP" (in Korean). Segye. May 26, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  2. ^ "[팝인터뷰]박규리 "카라 해체 아냐, 기회 된다면 앨범 낼 계획"".
  3. ^ "(LEAD) Female singer Goo Ha-ra found dead at her home". Yonhap News Agency. November 24, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  4. ^ Jeon, Su Mi (14 April 2015). "Kara Confirms May Comeback". Mwave. CJ E&M enewsWorld. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  5. ^ Ho-jung, Won (27 May 2015). "On 7th EP, KARA grows out of trademark cuteness". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  6. ^ Lee, Nancy (15 May 2015). "Kara Reveals Teaser Photos for Title Track ′Cupid′". Mwave. CJ E&M enewsWorld. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  7. ^ "드림콘서트 27개팀 참가…카라 신곡 '큐피드' 첫 공개 '기대UP'" (in Korean). Chosun News. May 23, 2015. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  8. ^ "카라, '드림콘서트'에서 컴백 타이틀곡 '큐피드' 무대 최초 공개" (in Korean). TenAsia Hankyung. May 21, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  9. ^ "카라, 23일 드림콘서트서 신곡 '큐피드' 첫 공개" (in Korean). KoreaDaily. May 20, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  10. ^ "카라, 7번째 미니앨범 '인 러브'로 26일 컴백…멜론서 쇼케이스 초대영상 공개" (in Korean). eToday. May 21, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  11. ^ "카라, 7번째 미니앨범 '인 러브'로 26일 컴백…멜론서 쇼케이스 초대영상 공개" (in Korean). Kyeonggi. May 21, 2015. Archived from the original on June 13, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  12. ^ Chung, Jackie. "KARA Takes Home The Winning Trophy On MTV 'The Show'". Kpop Starz. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  13. ^ "'Show Champion' Kara wraps up 'Cupid' promotions". Nate News. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  14. ^ "KARA(카라)- 7TH MINI ALBUM [IN LOVE] Preview". YouTube. 21 May 2015.
  15. ^ "카라, '인 러브' 프리뷰 영상 공개…'성숙해졌네'" (in Korean). TF News. May 22, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  16. ^ "'@KARA_DSP' album preview #Kara 7th Mini Album [#In_love] 2015.05.26". Kara's Twitter account. 2015-05-26.
  17. ^ a b "2015년 23주차 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  18. ^ "2015년 05월 Album Chart (see #7)" [May 2015 Album Chart]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  19. ^ "KARA(카라) – IN LOVE [7TH MINI ALBUM]". Hot Tracks (in Korean). May 26, 2015.
  20. ^ "KARA(카라) – IN LOVE [7TH MINI ALBUM] [키노 카드 앨범]". Hot Tracks (in Korean). May 26, 2015.