Kara chosen as most promising singer of 2011 in Japan

Korean female idols Kara [DSP Media]

Korean female idols Kara have been picked as the most promising artist of 2011 in Japan.

The January 17 issue of Oristar, a monthly magazine published by Oricon, revealed that a survey carried out on 500 of its members (250 females, 250 males) voted Kara as Japan's most promising artist for this year.

"We want to thank our Japanese fans for their infinite love and we are extremely excited and happy to know that they have high expectations and interest for us in 2011," the members of Kara were quoted as saying.

Other notable promising artists were Girls' Generation in second place followed sequentially by AKB48's subgroup SKE48, Sakanaction and Flumpool.

Composed of members Gu Hara, Han Seung-yeon, Park Gyu-lee, Kang Ji-young and Nicole, Kara made their debut in Korea with their first album "Blooming" in 2007.

The quintet expanded their career to Japan in August this year after signing with Universal Music Sigma, a branch of Universal Music group.

They were recently named best new artist of the year at the 25th annual Japan Gold Disc Award and have placed at No. 1 on the Oricon chart's listing for the most successful new artist of 2010.

The girls, currently active in both Korea and Japan are also busy preparing for their upcoming debut in Japanese drama “URKARA” which will go on air on January 14.

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Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@