MBC News Desk Criticised for Misuse of Girls' Generation's Images

MBC News Desk has been caught up in controversy due to its firearms test during its "Taiwanese Illegal Firearms Smuggling... How Did They Pass Customs?" story. The footage used was that of a pharmaceutical company's drinks bottle, with Girls' Generation member Yuri's face on it, being shot.

The contents of the report were along the lines of the South Korean ban on gun possession making controls so lax that Taiwanese firearms could be smuggled into the country. The guns had been imported in disassembled parts for reassembly in Korea. To demonstrate the power of the firearms that could tear paper and shatter cans and glass, footage showed a currently-marketed brown soft-drinks bottle being shot with a gun.

The bottle was labelled with the image of the endorsement model, Girls' Generation member Yuri, and shattered instantly upon being shot.

Several viewers who watched the report left critical messages on the MBC News viewers' messageboard.

- "To fire a gun at a bottle with a person's face on... it's obvious which company makes this product from the outset, and did you have to use that bottle of all bottles? Shouldn't you have at least turned the bottle around or something?"

-"It seemed like they were firing on an actual person's head. I hope you weren't trying to say the firearms were that dangerous by going for the shock factor."

One member of a community site commented that "It's as though MBC are Girls’ Generation antis." and "Even people who aren't fans of Girls’ Generation would feel uncomfortable."

MBC News Desk had previously investigated MMORPG-induced violence by temporarily disconnecting the power to a PC Cafe. In light of this, netizens have asked "Is this the second Violence Experiment?" and have labelled this the "Girls' Generation Fan Violence Experiment". The earlier "PC Cafe Violence Experiment" was ruled by the Korea Communications Standards Commission to be unrelated to the subject matter being investigated, and declared an excessive and unnecessary experiment.

SNSD members show off their personalities through Japan’s “Sweet” magazin

Hallyu group SNSD has revealed their bright charms for an ad in a Japanese magazine.

On April 14th, these advertisement scans from May’s issue of “Sweet” magazine were uploaded onto an internet portal site under the title, ’An Inside look into SNSD in latest Japanese magazine‘. The nine members of SNSD channeled the bright season of Spring into their outfits, which they’ve tweaked with their individual styles and personalities.

Yoona and Yuri displayed their sexy charms as they slightly revealed their tight abs. Tiffany, on the other hand, showed cute poses with her pouty lips and her pajama-like outfit, shaking the hearts of male fans.

Meanwhile, SNSD is awaiting the release of their third Japanese single, “Mr. Taxi“, which is planned for the 27th.

Yonghwa: Seohyun, I love you!

The trailer for next week’s SBS ‘Strong Heart’ was aired on April 12th where Jung Yonghwa made a surprised confession towards Seohyun.

In the trailer, Jung Yonghwa shouted, “Seohyun-ah, I love you” and “Ehew, how about me?”, with sadness on his face which aroused much curiosity from the viewers.

Meanwhile, according to AGB Nielsen Media Research on April 13th, the rating for SBS ‘Strong Heart’ on April 12th recorded rating of 11.5%, a of 1.1% from last week’s rating.

Tiffany, the lovely girl in double ponytails

On April 13th an article entitled ‘Double Ponytailed Tiffany, Deadly Charm’ was published on a portal site.

Together with the post, there are photos showing Tiffany in various ‘double ponytail’ hairstyles. From breaded ponytails to waved ponytails, Tiffany had tried out different variations of double ponytail hairstyles. With the blend of her hairstyles, big eyes and appearance, Tiffany never fails to give out her lovely charm.

Netizens commented, “I’m feeling happy just by looking at the photos”, “She’s really cute with the double ponytails and eye-smiles”, etc.

Sooyoung and famous manhwa author, Kang Pul are best friends?

In the past, Sooyoung mentioned in a broadcast that there was a story between popular manhwa author,Kang Pul and herself.

Sooyoung said, “I went to audition for a movie ‘Babo’ which was an adaptation of his masterpiece. However I failed and felt disheartened by it. As a fan, I wrote a letter to Kang Pul. Kang Pul replied and encouraged me”. After that, Kang Pul and Sooyoung became close to each other and Sooyoung could have starred in one of his ‘Genuine Manhwa’ which was being adapted into a movie.

Sooyoung added, “I went to visit Kang Pul at his home quite often too. The person who I usually called ‘Oppa’ is a best-selling manhwa author. Despite the fact that he is a bestseller manhwa author, he is very similar to others such that he is very modest and also, I can treat him like a samchon”.

Sooyoung also mentioned that Kang Pul’s imaginations come from his wife. She said, “Both of them really love each other. They are really compatible with each other. I can’t imagine KangPul without his wife. His working capacity, imaginations and everything come from his wife”.

Sooyoung added, “Kang Pul’s manhwa is like a mirror. He does not particularly focus on a special person, rather he shows the every day lives in ourselves. You’ll unconsciously become the character in the manhwa. The more I looked at it, It felt as if I was the one in the manhwa”.

Kang Pul married the beautiful Kim HyeJung who is 7 years younger than him in 2006. HyeJung has enviable celebrity-like features.