Kara’s Japanese drama takes off promising start

Korean girl group Kara [DSP Media]

Korean idol group Kara’s new TV series in Japan has taken off to a favorable start, according to the girls’ agency DSP Media on Wednesday.

According to a press release by DSP, the first episode of Kara’s drama “URAKARA” which went on air on January 14 on TV Tokyo’s Drama 24 channel, scored an average rating of 4.3 percent despite showing at midnight.

The figure proves the girls' popularity and the show's possible success considering that previous reality programs in the same time slot headed by top singers in Japan including “TROUBLEMAN” starring boy group NEWS saw a rating of 2.2 percent and Majisuka Gakuen (マジすか?園) starring Japanese girl group AKB48 a mark of 4.0 percent.

In "URAKARA," a 12-part series shot in both Korea and Japan, the girls appear as spies with the special mission of winning the hearts of the men of their dreams -- from Japanese politicians to star athletes to top chefs.

Kara leader Gyu-lee will appear as a girl who is passive and cautious toward the idea of love while Seung-yeon is a believer of perfect timing and Nicole a romanticist filled with fantasies of love. Hara, burns with passion and youngest member Ji-young places logic ahead of feelings.

The drama, a mixture of reality and fiction, will also feature live performances by the girls as well as their hidden thoughts through conversations.

Meanwhile, the drama is also set to go on air in Korea under the Korean tilte "Kara's Double Life" starting Friday via local cable channel tvN owned by CJ Media.

Kara made a debut with their first album "Blooming" in 2007 and is well known for their hit songs "Mister," "Wanna" and "Lupin."

The group debuted in Japan in August of last year after signing with Universal Music Sigma, a branch of Universal Music Group, with their first Japanese single "Mister."

※ Any copying, republication or redistribution of 10Asia's content is expressly prohibited without prior consent of 10Asia. Copyright infringement is subject to criminal and civil penalties.