Girls' Generation ranked 1st for the most family like atmosphere idol group

Recently, music portal site Bugs! conducted a survey which revolved around the question: “Which idol group has the most family-like atmosphere?”. The survey started on the 10th and ended yesterday, on the 16th. 5804 people participated in the survey, and half of them (2846 people) voted Girls’ Generation as the most suitable group for that category.

Netizens agreed with the results, commenting “Don’t all idol groups seem like family these days?”, “Girls’ Generation definitely comes to mind when referring to family, and I’m not just saying this because I’m a fan”, “They must’ve felt lonely because of the Japanese promotions, but they are relying on each other.”

Following Girls’ Generation was Big Bang (43%, 2445 people), CN Blue (5%, 260 people), 2PM (3%, 127 people), and T-ara (2%, 82 people).

Korean Sellers Making a Fortune from Idol Merchandise!

When one thinks of the word "export", the image of large containers being shipped internationally comes to mind. However, small items such as Girls' Generation cards are also becoming impressive export goods.

Cards and posters of Girls' Generation and other Hallyu (Korean wave) stars are in high demand in not just South-East Asia, America and the UK but also in countries such as Puerto Rico and Brazil.

University student Lee Mingeol used to collect celebrity cards and posters as a hobby, but is now selling them internationally via auctions. At times he'll sells them at a loss, but many popular items fetch unimaginably high prices.

Aged 25, Lee Mingeol is currently studying hotel management: "I only started this properly in December and it has been four to six months. Right now, in May, if I measure solely based on revenue, I am earning around US $18,000."

It has become possible to make such great online sales with small initial investment thanks to popular auction site "eBay". Transactions at the site have increased 167% compared to the past year and is predicted to double in 2011.

Lim Jihyun, the CBT manager of "eBay Korea" commented, "Korean sellers have had a lot of experience selling to other Koreans, which is how they have been gaining ground so quickly in the international market. We estimate this year's sales revenue to have grown 200% compared to last year at 200bn KRW (US $184m)."

Girls' Generation appears at Hanyang University and the students Lion Roars Will Be Marked in History As the 'Hanyang Victory Cry'

Girls' Generation appeared at a festival held at Hanyang University.

Girls' Generation has been appearing as a hot issue on online communities, such as Twitter and other social networking services. This is because Girls' Generation was on stage at the Hanyang University Festival that took place on the 17th.

That day, Girls' Generation performed "Gee", "Run Devil Run", "Oh!", "Hoot", and other hit songs, providing excitement at Hanyang University. Girls' Generation called for an especially loud cheer when they said they flew in to Korea during the middle of promotions in Japan just so they could attend this university festival.

There was also a huge response to Girls' Generation’s performance.

One netizen said, “I never knew I’d come back to a school from which I’ve already graduated at this age just to see Girls' Generation. I’ve never followed a celebrity before, but I waited three hours just to see Girls' Generation and I still had a difficult time getting to the front.”

This person also made people laugh by saying, “The male students’ lion-like roars on May 17th will be forever remembered as a victory cry for Hanyang.”

Another netizen said, “I thought Hanyang was going to collapse. As soon as the girls came out on stage, it’s like every student lost their minds.” He continued by saying, “I witnessed for myself the army-like chanting in unison, especially during 'Gee'.”

This person continued, “The crowd was so intense that it’s just a relief that nobody got trampled and killed. The crowd was great for YB as well, but to be honest, Girls' Generation took the cake that day.”

On another note, Girls' Generation will start their first Japan tour in arenas with 10 shows in 6 cities starting with Osaka on the 31st of May. On June 1st, their first Japanese album “Japan 1st Album--Girls’ Generation” will go on sale.

'Oh!' featured in Samsung Demo

Lately, the girls have been appearing on Samsung products and helping Samsung promote their merchandise, like last month when they attended a Samsung fanmeeting in Beijing. Recently, a Samsung demo showing a Girls' Generation performance was posted on the internet. The demo is in Blu-ray, and features the girls performing "Oh!" at last year's SMTown in Los Angeles. Also of note is the pink sea of lightsticks that is present during the performance, helped by Soshified members themselves.

Lee Yongdae reveals his ideal girl

Badminton player Lee Yongdae recently revealed his ideal girl in an interview. On May 16th, the Olympic gold medalist appeared on KBS N "Inside Sports", and played a round of "Ideal Type World Cup". He eventually picked Girls' Generation's Yoona as his ideal girl.

Lee Yongdae also left a video message for Yoona, saying, "I have only said that she is my ideal girl - I have not met her before. If the opportunity arises, I hope to meet her sometime."

Netizens responded with comments like, "Yoona is the ideal type for all men". Yoona is no stranger to being picked as the ideal type of celebrities, which includes popular names like Lee Seunggi.

Lee Yongdae is known by many for winning the Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics in the badminton mixed doubles. This might not come as a surprise as he once mentioned his liking towards Yoona in MBC's "We Got Married". Additionally, it would be interesting to note that Lee Yongdae has remained faithful to Yoona since 3 years ago, check out this 2008 article where he admits his interest towards Yoona for the first time.