Lupin (Hangul: ) is the third Korean extended play (EP) by South Korean girl group Kara, released on February 17, 2010, by DSP. The concept and artwork of the album is based on French writer Maurice Leblanc's fictional gentleman thief, Arsène Lupin. The EP sold over 64,000 copies in 2010, ranking as the 16th best-selling album of the year in South Korea.
Background and concept In early February, DSP Media announced that Kara would be coming back with "Lupin" and showing a darker, more mature concept. 베일 벗기 시작한 카라 컴백, 어떨까 '괴도루팡 깜짝변신' . Nate. February 10, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2010. The song was released to digital outlets on February 17, 2010, and topped various charts the following day. Kim, Seong-han. '루팡' 카라 1위 휩쓸어 (Kara's "Lupin" #1 Rampage) . Hankook Ilbo. February 19, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2010. Han Seung-yeon noted that, although the group had a cute image with singles like "Pretty Girl" and "Mister", "Lupin" would allow the girls to portray a "chic" concept. 카라, "도도하고 시크한 '루팡' 기대해 주세요"(인터뷰) (Kara: "Please Wait for Haughty and Chic 'Lupin' (Interview)") . MyDaily. February 23, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2010. Media reports noted that the group would be going up against Girls' Generation, who had made their comeback a few weeks earlier with "Oh!". 카라 '루팡' M/V, 공개 2시간만에 차트 1위 (Kara's "Lupin" Music Video Hits #1 Two Hours After Release) . Sports Seoul. February 22, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
Music video The music video was released on February 22, garnering more than 90,000 views in the first two hours. '엉덩이춤' 카라 이번엔 어떤 춤? '비상구춤 -할라춤 대박예감' . Newsen.com. February 22, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2010. After the popularity of the group's "butt dance" with "Mister", netizens were curious to see the choreography of "Lupin"; as such, parts of the dance, including the "Emergency Exit" dance and the "Halla" dance, were highlighted by viewers. '엉덩이춤' 카라 새 비밀병기는 '비상구 춤' 화제만발 ("Butt Dance" Kara's New Secret Weapon is "Emergency Exit Dance", is Hot Topic of Conversation) . Joins.com/Newsen. February 23, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2010. Other moves of interest were Goo Hara's hair flip.
Promotion Kara made their comeback in late February, starting with Mnet's M! Countdown on February 25, 2010.카라 '루팡' 오늘(25일) 드디어 공개 어떨까 '비상구춤 기대만발'(Kara Releases "Lupin" Today, "Emergency Exit dance" hoped with great expectations.) News en. February 25, 2010. The group then performed on all major network music shows over the weekend. 걸그룹 카라 '루팡' 티저만 공개했을 뿐인데..."최고다" (Girl Group Kara Releases "Lupin" Teaser Only, but Already "Awesome") . Medical Today. February 12, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2010. On March 4, 2010, Kara won their first #1 award for "Lupin" on M! Countdown. The following week, Kara won yet another #1 award on M! Countdown, making it their second consecutive win on the program."Lupin" also gave Kara their first #1 win on Music Bank on March 12, 2010, making it the group's first win on the music show since their debut, and held onto the position for three consecutive weeks. The song also won the Mutizen award from Inkigayo. "Lupin" is among a handful of Kara tracks featured in the arcade music game, DJ Max Technika 3.
Accolades +Music program awardsSongProgramDateRef."Lupin"M CountdownMarch 4, 2010March 11, 2010Music BankMarch 12, 2010March 19, 2010March 26, 2010InkigayoMarch 14, 2010
Track listing
Charts Album charts Chart (2010) Peakposition Japanese Weekly Albums (Oricon) ルパン KARAのプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE . Oricon. Retrieved July 10, 2011. 100 South Korean Weekly Albums (Gaon) 1 South Korean Monthly Albums (Gaon) 2 South Korean Yearly Albums (Gaon) 16
Single charts +"Lupin" Chart (2010) Peakposition South Korea (Gaon) 1 South Korea Year-end (Gaon) 18
Sales ChartAmountGaon physical sales75,197
Oricon physical sales4,354 Release history Country Date Format Label South Korea February 17, 2010 Digital download, CD DSP Media Japan February 23, 2011
References