Baby KARA, a group of contestants vying to join K-pop girl group KARA, reportedly drew about 2,000 Japanese fans on the street in Yokohama, Japan, even before their official debut, its management agency said on Tuesday. 

The fourth episode of “KARA Project,” scheduled to air on Tuesday, will feature Baby KARA’s members taking the stage in Yokohama Tama Plaza to impress Japanese fans. 

The venue is where a slew of K-pop idol groups perform for local promotions. 

“The locals’ interest in Baby KARA was proved by the number of audience members,” said an official from their agency DSP Media. 

“KARA Project” is a joint scheme initiated by MBC Music and DSP Media to choose members to join KARA from among seven trainees at the company after two members -- Kang Ji-young and Jung Nicole -- left the group for personal reasons. Kara currently has three members -- Goo Ha-ra, Han Seung-yeon and Park Gyu-ri. 

The weekly TV reality show is broadcasted on MBC Music every Tuesday.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)