[News] SNSD’s “Hoot” dominates various charts for 2 consecutive weeks

SNSD are sitting firmly at the top of various music charts as their new mini album “Hoot” is still no.1 after 2 weeks.

“Hoot” which was released on October 27th, topped the Hanteo Chart as well as other music sales charts in terms of accumulative sales for 2 weeks in a row.

The title song “Hoot” also continued its domination on various online music sites’ weekly charts for the 2nd consecutive week where it took no.1 for the first week of November on Dosirak, Bugs!, Soribada, Monkey3, etc. The domination did not stop there as “Hoot” also conquered the ringtone markets. It was ranked 1st on SKT Live Ringtone Weekly Chart.

On music shows the 9 girls continue their impressive achievement where they won the K-Chart award on KBS “Music Bank” and Mutizen Award on SBS “Inkigayo”, just a week after their comeback to the music stages.

Not only in Korea, the girls are enjoying increasing popularity and impressive results on Oricon charts as well.

[News] Soshi key chains, anyone?

Recently, photos of vending machines in Japan with images of SNSD and Kara had surfaced on Internet community sites.

The vending machines with images of popular Japanese singers were purposely placed side by side to attract attentions. In the vending machines, there are capsules that contain key chains with photos of idols in it.

Netizens who saw the photos commented:

-”Popularity of SNSD and Kara are are soaring sky high”
-”Japan is cool too. It’s really awesome”
-”Is the same business in Korea doing well?”

[News] SNSD’s ‘Hoot’ to become another national syndrome?

After just one week since their official comeback, symptoms of a nationwide ‘Hoot‘ syndrome are already showing, with SNSD currently taking the #1 spot of almost every music chart site, even on ring tone sites.

SNSD’s mini-album ‘Hoot’, which was unleashed on October 27th, has been ranked #1 on Hanteo, Hot Tracks, and other various other music online charts for two weeks in a row now, showing hints of another phase of SNSD’s dominance.

In addition, their title track ‘Hoot’ nabbed the #1 rank on the daily charts of music sites Dosirak, Bugs, Soribada, Monkey3 for the first week of November, and is still going strong in its 2nd week in first place. If that’s not enough, SNSD’s ‘Hoot’ is even topping the charts of SKT’s daily chart for ring tones, showing exactly how much the nation is becoming addicted to the hit song.

SNSD also won a K-Chart on KBS 2TV Music Bank on November 5th, as well as a ‘Mutizen’ award onSBS ‘Inkigayo’ on the 7th. Many are suspecting ‘Hoot’ to follow the successful footsteps of the group’s previous tracks, ‘Gee‘ and ‘Oh!’.

[News] SNSD’s Sooyoung, Shin Se Kyung, SuJu’s Siwon caught up in ‘insincerity’ controversy

Earlier, we reported on the heartwarming pictures of idol stars Shin Se Kyung, SNSD’s Sooyoung andSuper Junior’s Siwon visiting ex-professional basketball player and coach, Park Seung Il. Park is suffering from a neurodegenerative disease called Lou Gehrig’s Disease, better known as ‘ALS‘. However, instead of accepting this heartwarming act as their way of giving back to the community, some netizens thought it looked cheap and disrespectful to the patient, as if they had only visited him in order to develop their celebrity image.

In the photos, the celebrities are smiling cheerfully next to the ALS patient; Shin Se Kyung and Sooyoung were snapped giving kisses on Park Seung Il’s cheek.

Netizens who thought negatively of this expressed, “He’s not some zoo animal, why are they even taking pictures with those ‘V’ signs. The photos of them kissing the patient looks so forced and obvious.” “It doesn’t look good, those people swarming around the patient and taking pictures as evidence that you visited him.”

Yet despite all the harsh comments, Park Seung Il posted a message expressing his thanks for their visit. “Sooyoung doesn’t even like touching her own feet when they’re dirty, let alone others’, so I was touched when Sooyoung massaged my feet for me. Se Kyung had the un-talkative wife image just like from ‘High Kick’, and massaged my arms where I couldn’t see. It was cute.”

A representative of the Disabled Rights Institute explained through the phone, “With regards to the claims made by the netizens about this controversy, if they couldn’t directly feel the discomfort of the disabled patient themselves, it is difficult to claim that this went against the ‘Disability Discrimination Act’. However, if these celebrities did indeed participate in the act only to upgrade their image, then it certainly is a problem to look into.”

[News] Girls' Generation crowned winners on music shows

Korean female idol group Girls' Generation was crowned winners on both weekend televised music programs during the first week of November.

The girls scored their first win on Friday's music show "Music Bank" as well as taking the Mutizen Award on SBS' "Inkigayo" with their title track "Hoot" from their third mini-album of the same name.

"We want to say thanks to the fans who are always showing their support and love for us, and our family and agency SM Entertainment," the girls said in their acceptance speech.

Composed of members Taeyeon, Hyoyeon, Sunny, Tiffany, Jessica, Seohyun, Yoona, Yuri and Sooyoung, Girls' Generation made their debut in 2007 with their single album "Into the New World."

They also made their Japanese debut in August this year, attracting over 20,000 fans to their first showcase and became the first Korean girl group to reach the No. 1 spot on the Oricon chart.

The nine-member girl group have been promoting their new song "Hoot," about a girl warning her boyfriend to stop breaking her heart, which swept various online music since its release on October 25.

[News] SNSD & Kara Capsule Machine?

Recently in Japan, a capsule machine with SNSD's pictures were seen. Each capsule is at 300Yen. The capsules contain items like SNSD related accessories and other items. Will this product be seen in other countries soon? Let's wait and see.

Kara and SNSD's Capsule Machines appearance has been attracting alot of attention.

Other popular Japanese artistes have capsule machines as well. this shows that Kara and SNSD's popularity is on par with the Japanese artistes. The capsule machines include items like keychains with their photos and so on.

Fans who heard of the news said "Korean girl groups are so amazing!" They can actually have such popular capsule machines. "A capsule machine like this contains about 100 0000 items" and so on

[News] Shin Se Kyung, SNSD’s Sooyoung and Suju’s Siwon pay a visit to an ALS patient

Photos of actress Shin Se Kyung, SNSD member Soo Young, and Super Junior’s Siwon meeting ex-professional basketball coach Park Seung Il recently surfaced, gathering the attention of many fans.

Park Seung Il is an ex-professional basketball player and coach, who has unfortunately been suffering from a motor neuron disease called Lou Gehrig’s Disease, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).The disease is progressive, fatal, and neurodegenerative, caused by the degeneration of motor neurons, essentially degrading any voluntary muscular movement.

He was unexpectedly greeted by Shin Se Kyung, Sooyoung, Super Junior’s Siwon, and actors Yang Dong Geun and Jung Joon, who came to support him during his treatment.

These pictures were actually taken last month and was uploaded onto Park Seung Il’s fan cafe called, ‘Fighting ALS together with Park Seung Il’, but had only caught the netizens’ attentions recently.

Netizens have been particularly touched by the pictures of Shin Se Kyung and Sooyoung, giving Park Seung Il heartwarming kisses on his cheek.

Let’s wish him all the best in his fight against the disease!

[News] SNSD look good in everything

SNSD proved that they can still look charming and beautiful even in casual wears.

Recently, SNSD appeared as guests on Leeteuk and Eunhyuk’s radio program, KBS 2FM “Super Junior Kiss The Radio” and the pictures taken their lovely look and fun atmosphere in the studio.

SNSD who usually look like goodesses on stage with their attractive and classy costumes, dressed in casual street wears for the radio show. However, despite their simple clothings, the girls look as stunning, beautiful and charming as usual. Netizens who saw the photos expressed were envious of the girls’ natural beauty.

[News] SNSD, Kara and 4Minute

Korean girl groups are targeting Japan lately. When albums of groups such as SNSD, Kara, 4Minute and After School appear on the CD shelves, they become the top few on the Oricon chart. So many Japanese girls are also beginning to imitate Korea girl groups' hairstyles, makeup and fashion, that even Japanese channel NHK has chosen the prime time to report this new phenomenon. Media has called this "Invasion from Korea".

Kara and SNSD have similar sweet styles, but their dance genres differ greatly. Kara's leader and main vocalist GyuRi, SeungYeon, HaRa, Nicole and JiYoung give off the sweet youthful feel of young girls. At the same time they have enough maturity and feminine beauty without keeping a distance from the audience.

4Minute is different from other girl groups. With a group name meaning "doing their best every minute" and "capturing your heart in 4 minutes", 4Minute pairs up Candy Funky music with powerful and sexy performances, ensuring an explosive stage.

What "New Hallyu" girl groups are different from the past Korean singers that covered Japanese songs when entering the Japanese market is that regardless of songs, choreographies, styles, makeups and hairstyles, it's all "Made in Korea". Some media professionals have defined "exceptional talents and being different from Japanese girl groups that only emphasise on cuteness" to be the reason why Japanese like Korean girl groups.

Host of Channel [V]'s 'Just Liking JK', Ken Woo, said, "There are few male and female groups in Taiwan, Korean groups then filled in the gap. Through the internet, dissemination of Korean music can be done in a flash, that's why even though many groups have not released albums in Taiwan, they already have a stable fan base."

[News] SNSD Trainee Days Picture Released "Do Not Ask About the Past"

The “SNSD Hot Blast” in Korea and even crossing to Japan, the popular girl group SNSD trainee days picture was released and becoming the most discussed.

In the recent online community, “After SM Trainees Dance” was the title of the picture, in which the ‘SNSD Trainees’ time was released.

The released picture was from a 2004 SM trainee showcase of SNSD members, in which the old images Seohyun, Yuri, Sooyoung, Jessica, Hyoyeon could be confirmed.

Seeing the picture, netizens said “Is this SNSD?” “We shouldn’t ask about their past” “Their images right now are so different”.