Originally a quartet composed of Park Gyuri, Han Seungyeon, Nicole Jung, and Kim Sunghee, Kara showcased a strong female image and a mature R&B sound.

The following year, Sunghee left the group due education issues and parental pressure, and members Goo Hara and Kang Jiyoung were added.

[1][2] After the addition of the new members, Kara's image and musical style changed to a "pretty but natural" concept with the release of their first mini-album, Rock U, in July 2008.

With this four-member lineup, Kara released two more singles in South Korea: "Mamma Mia" (2014) and "Cupid" (2015), receiving one music show win for each.

In the following months, member Seungyeon continued participating in many television variety shows to keep the group's name recognizable to the public, as their first album was not a commercial success.

[25] Park Gyuri attributed their popularity increase to their "pretty but natural" appeal,[26] while media reports gave credit to the band for finally finding its own identity in the music industry since the group's debut[27] and to older male fans, most notably singer Shin Hae Chul.

[28] Due to their increasingly hectic schedule as their popularity rose, a few of the group's members were taken to the hospital on December 19 after a Music Bank rehearsal for cold symptoms and exhaustion.

The next day, the album jacket was unveiled with a "Stealer" concept as well as the title track named "Lupin", which became number one on several online music charts shortly after release.

[54] In March 2010, it was announced that the group will participate in the 8th Annual Korean Music Festival to be held at Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, with member Jung Nicole as host.

[70][71] After taking a nine-month hiatus in the Korean music industry, the group announced the release of their single "Jumping", which was then promoted in both Korea and Japan.

On December 20, 2010, Oricon also announced the group as 2010's Best Rookie Artist, generating revenue to some 1.3 billion yen (or US$15.4 million[75]); and with a total of 493,000 copies of their releases sold this year.

According to industry representatives, the group has used some of their spare time recording songs for the album while they were busy promoting their fourth Japanese single, "Go Go Summer!".

[100] The group also received the GCS International Grand Award: "Korea-based Global Social Movement Proposed and Initiated" because of their donations to Japan's tsunami and earthquake relief.

[103] On February 29, 2012, the group became the first foreign artist to seize the top spot of two different categories on Oricon; the DVD and Blu-ray Disc ranking charts following the release of Kara Best Clips II & Shows.

[107] From August 13 onwards, teasers featuring each of the members were released on consecutive days, starting with Jiyoung, then Hara, Gyuri, Nicole, then Seungyeon.

[124] On August 16, it was announced that the group will be releasing their fourth South Korean full-length album with a title-track called "Damaged Lady", on September 2.

[128] The following day, another photo album was uploaded titled "Queens" where the members can be seen wearing tiaras and unveiling the English name of the promotional track as "Damaged Lady".

The group released their sixth extended play, Day & Night, in South Korea on August 18 before going on their third Japanese tour on October 24.

[151] On June 11, 2022, former Kara members Gyuri, Seungyeon, Nicole, Jiyoung and Youngji reunited for a group photoshoot which was shared on each of their Instagram accounts.

[153] On September 19, 2022, it was announced that Kara would be releasing an album under RBW to commemorate the 15th anniversary of their debut in November, with Nicole and Jiyoung rejoining the group.

[177] In 2010, the group opened their own online clothing franchise called "Karaya", which members Gyuri, Hara and Jiyoung were chosen as spokesmodels.

[179] Moreover, members Park Gyuri, Goo Hara and Kang Jiyoung became the female models for Korean cosmetic brand "Nature Republic".

This also marked the first time that a doll-based on South Korean idol group has been released because in the past, figures were created for celebrities in Korea, namely actors.

[181] On June 18, 2012, the group released their own premium fragrance line called "K5J", an acronym for "Kara 5 Jewel" and members participated in the development of the perfume from the beginning.

On August 29, 2012, DSP revealed that the group has been selected as the ambassadors to bring awareness to K-Food by the MAF and the aT Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade Corporation.

[190][191][192] On January 19, 2011, a lawyer representing four of the five Kara members announced to the media that they would be terminating their contract with DSP Entertainment, effective immediately; a lawsuit was also filed on their behalf.

In one statement, the lawyer representing the four stated that "the company repeatedly denied any requests and unilaterally forced tasks upon the members", and that they have been preparing for legal action for two months.

[195] In a statement, DSP Entertainment firmly rebutted all accusations, also stating that they wished to resolve the issues and reconcile with the members quickly.

Their representatives stated that they were misinformed regarding their Japanese promotions, and that their relationship with the company severely deteriorated with the hospitalization of CEO Lee Ho-yeon in March 2010.

[198] On April 28, 2011, the dispute between DSP Entertainment and Kara's 3 members (Han Seung-yeon, Nicole Jung, Kang Ji-young) was finally resolved.