Who are the top seven male and female CF stars?

Fans are familiar with the importance of CF deals, as they bring in larger profits than most other sources of income for celebrities.

To see who the top CF stars in Korea are, Daily Sports compiled a list of the top seven, as rated by the number of products they’ve endorsed from June 2010 to May 2011. Check out the list below!

1. Lee Seung Gi: First place goes to none other than Lee Seung Gi, who’s endorsed a total of 12 products this year. From cosmetics, fridges, and even banking, he’s got all of the best products under his belt. Thanks to his image transformation from the ‘nation’s little brother’ to a strong, independent man, he’s captured the hearts of industry representatives as an almighty entertainer and ‘CF King.’

2. Big Bang: From cell phones to cameras, beers, automobiles, and even ice cream, Big Bang is endorsing a total of 10 products thanks to their wide fanbase. The styles of each of the five members are also unique, so they’re able to portray a wider variety of images.

2. 2PM: Their beastly image certainly did wonders in breaking through to the advertisement market. With various drink CFs under their belt, they’ve tied with Big Bang for a total of 10 endorsements. They’ve even signed a two-year contract with one drink company. The secret behind their success is that all they need to do is go topless to achieve high sales.

4. Song Joong Ki: Ever since “Sungkyunkwan Scandal“, this actor’s been on the rise and currently has a total of eight endorsements under his belt, ranging from cosmetics to cameras, pizzas, and laptops.

4. Hyun Bin: Although he’s currently serving in the army, fans can still see him on the small screen. The success of “Secret Garden” earned him a total of eight endorsement deals, six of which were shot within the two months before his enlistment. MBC’s representative revealed, “When a drama hits jackpot, you can make an advertisement without the need for any other special storytelling. His popular phrases won’t be erased from the minds of consumers.”

6. Jo In Sung: Though it’s been only a month since his discharge, he’s already on the rise to becoming one of the top stars of the advertising industry. Jo In Sung’s become the new face of various smartphone and beer brands, for a total of seven deals. He’s reportedly earned $4 million USD in just CF recordings alone.

7. Won Bin: Although he isn’t seen often in dramas or movies, his handsome looks is still a favorite amongst advertisers. His looks are captivating enough to hold the attention of consumers with just one glance, so it’s no wonder why he’s so popular. A representative of the industry stated, “The popularity of ‘The Man From Nowhere‘ really escalated his sexy image, so he’s a popular choice with female consumers.” Won Bin rounds out the list with a total of six CFs.

The following are the rankings for the girls:

1. SNSD
2. Lee Min Jung
2. Kim Yuna
4. Shin Min Ah
5. IU
6. Hwang Jung Eum
7. Lee Na Young

Lee Soo Man outlines SM Entertainment’s three stages of globalization

On June 11th, Korea’s Lee Soo Man and America’s Teddy Riley came together at the Marriott Rive Gauch hotel in Paris for the “SM TOWN Writers & Publishers Conference“.

Following Tiffany’s explanation of the training process under SM Entertainment, Lee Soo Man gave a one-hour long lecture on SM’s successful ‘Culture Technology’, the secrets to SM’s globalization, as well as the potential for SM’s ability to succeed worldwide.

Lee began by explaining ‘Culture Technology’, or ‘CT’, as a system created exclusively by SM Entertainment to create and train stars into becoming the groundwork of the Hallyu wave.

He explained, “CT is the driving force behind the development of SM’s pop culture into global Hallyu. One of the elements of CT is our training system. Through auditions, we discover hidden talent and put them through three to seven years of music, dance, and acting training in order to create a star that’s close to perfection. It’s through this unique system that the Hallyu wave was created.”

Artists that grow under the CT system are globalized through SM’s three-step Hallyu process: exportation of cultural products, international collaborations, and globalization.

Lee stated, “The first level of Hallyu is the exportation of cultural products, which is exemplified byBoA and TVXQ’s advancement into Japan. The collaboration between KangTa and Taiwanese singer Vanness Wu is an example of the second level.”

Continuing onto the last level, Lee revealed, “There’s the tag ‘made by’, such as ‘made in Korea.’ There is also ‘made by SM’. We want to cooperate with people all over the world in order to share and produce good music. Through this process, the Asian market can also produce a star capable of succeeding worldwide. All of this is SM’s plan for globalization.”

Teddy Riley also agreed with Lee Soo Man’s points. In a 10 minute-long briefing, Riley talked about the importance of the Asian market and the power that SM Entertainment holds. He also explained the reasons why musicians all over the world should take an interest in the Asian music market, and named SM Entertainment as the company standing at center stage.

Riley stated, “On the 10th, I attended the ‘SM Town Live in Paris‘ concert and was extremely surprised to see performances put on by SHINee, Super Junior, f(x), SNSD, and TVXQ. There’s an energy and power that only SM Entertainment possesses, and I’d like to congratulate them on a successful advancement into Europe.”

He continued, “I have visited Korea and have also worked with Korean artists. Korean music is surprising in that you can feel power in their performances, which goes the same for SM. I’m absolutely sure that Korea will go global.”

Riley named the internet as the driving force behind the phenomenon. “Composers in not only Europe but all over the world need to pay attention to the Asian market. The world is connected through the internet, and it’s one of the reasons why SM artists are so popular. The day where Asian music becomes worldwide isn’t far off from now.”

YoonA, Sooyoung and Hyoyeon make a Star Call from Paris

SNSD’s YoonA, Sooyoung and Hyoyeon recently revealed a cute video of themselves in Paris prior to their SMTOWN performance.

On the 12th, a video entitled ‘SNSD Star Call – YoonA, Sooyoung, Hyoyeon’ was uploaded onto theUFOTOWN online community site.

In the video, the three show off their cute sides by talking in baby voices, and while they try to hold their composure throughout the video, the girls can’t help but laugh at themselves. Although their cute act has been attracting much attention, their glowing beauty has been stunning netizens as well.

Check out the fully-subbed video below! What do you think of their cute act?

SM Holds the writers & publishers conference in Paris

SNSD's Tiffany and Lee Soo Man

June 13, 2011

SM Holds the Writers & Publishers Conference in Paris, France on the 11th!

The Producer, Soo Man Lee Received a Standing Ovation on His Speech of CT Theory!

S.M.Entertainment held not only the ‘VISIT KOREA YEAR 2010-2012’ SMTOWN LIVE WORLD TOUR in PARIS, but also the conference aimed at European writers and publishers.

Approximately 50 famous European writers and publishers attended the conference held at the Marriott Rive Gauche hotel at 1:00 p.m (Paris time) on June 11th and showed their interests for SM and its music.

Especially, the producer Soo Man Lee gave a speech on the steps and future of Hallyu(Korean-wave) as well as the SM’s producing based on CT(Culture Technology) theory. He also introduced the overall system and features of the process of music production drawing European writers and publishers’ attention and received a standing ovation.

Also, a world-renowned producer, Teddy Riley who has produced albums of Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga said in his speech “I became interested in K-pop while I was working on music with SM. After I saw ‘SMTOWN LIVE in PARIS’ concert, I realized that K-pop which started with SM is a Movement. When I first made and used New Jack Swing, it wasn’t just a musical genre but it was a phenomenon or a Movement and I had a similar feeling through ‘SMTOWN LIVE in PARIS.’

In addition, the famous European publisher, Willy Morrision also stated his view on SM’s future by saying “I saw the SMTOWN LIVE concert for the first time yesterday and it was very impressive. The scene of the audience was like enthusiastic fans at the Beatles concert in Britain. SM will be the most powerful company in the world in 5~10 years. The SM’s driving force to grow this much is Philosophy. Because there has been CT, the foundation of philosophy that wants everything to be perfect, it’s different from European music and it could have grown this much.

Moreover, Tiffany from Girls’ Generation attended the conference and intrigued the attendee by introducing the training courses in SM and how she feels the change in global status as an Asian pop artist.

This conference was designed to let European writers and publishers know musical style which SM pursues and to build more active exchange and ties with them. Actually, they gained results by interacting good music and ideas through the conference.

Meanwhile, Universal Music Publishing Sweden representative, Pelle Lidell, the composer group from ‘Design Music’ who composed Girls’ Generation’s ‘Genie’, Alex Cantrall who composed f(x)’s ‘Pinocchio and other composers who involved in SM artists’ hit songs also attended. SM is planning to hold continuously a conference or a Song Writing camp in other countries like this event and build networks with foreign composers and publishers.

Wow! The Korean wave is really hitting globally! We should look forward to what K-Pop brings us! :D

SM Town Live World Tour in Paris Engraves Korea in European Fans' Minds

SMTOWN LIVE WORLD TOUR in PARIS Engraves Korea in European Fans’ Minds!

The Audience of 14,000 from Whole of Europe Got Excited!

It Proved SM’s Global Power!

Last 10th and 11th, ‘VISIT KOREA YEAR 2010-2012’ SMTOWN LIVE WORLD TOUR in PARIS performed at ‘Le Zenith de Paris’ in Paris, France. The whole concert hall was filled with European fans and the concert ended very successfully.

This concert consisted of SM artists, such as TVXQ!, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, SHINee and f(x), who sang not only many hit songs, such as ‘Why (Keep Your Head Down),’ ‘Sorry Sorry,’ ‘Hoot,’ ‘Lucifer,’ ‘Pinocchio’ etc.’ but special stages that could only be seen at SMTOWN LIVE concerts. Also, there were solo stages that received great responses, such as Super Junior members Leeteuk, Eunhyuk, Shindong and Heechul’s Beyonce, Lady Gaga parody stages, and a song from SHINee Onew’s opera, ‘Turandot,’ ‘Princess cannot sleep’. The concert was 3 hours long, and overall, very completed. This concert perfectly charmed the audience of 14,000.

The audience cheered excitedly when they saw the stars that they only saw through the screens, and enjoyed the performances. They also said ‘Thank you,’ ‘I love you’ and ‘Give us Super Junior, not pizza’ etc, with their not-perfect but witty Korean. The fans held up Korean flags and posters with pictures and names of members in all different colors. Not only this, but they also sang the lyrics and memorized the cheers that are spread throughout Asia, making it seem as though it wasn’t Paris, France, but more like Korea or other Asian concert places.

Especially, 98% of the audiences were Europeans from, of course, France, and England, Spain, Finland, Italy, Poland and many other countries. They held up the flags of their own nations, letting the stars know that the audiences were from many other countries. The audience sang the songs, also danced to it perfectly, uniting the stage and the audience into one.

To report this exciting atmosphere, there were many media masses such as the national broadcast of France 2TV, Arte TV, which is a French-Germany collaborated broadcast reporting culture, French weekly economy magazine l’espress etc. There were 20 mass media of Europe, but also Korea’s 3 broadcasting systems, renowned weekly magazines of Paris, Sankei Sports, Nitkan Sports, Fuji TV of Japan etc. There were mass media from all over the world, and once again SM and SM artists were able to prove their global powers.

Also, the highlights of these concerts will be uploaded to SM’s official YouTube channel, and through Facebook, several pictures were uploaded. This created a global issue, where fans from all over the world could enjoy the Paris performances. Also, just like Seoul concerts, there were family seating, where the whole family could enjoy the show, which received positive feedback from European families.

In addition, on this day, TVXQ!, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, SHINee and f(x) prepared greetings and comments in French, receiving great response, and after the concert, the members of all teams have said, “We were surprised of the energy and heat of European fans. We were very happy and amazed to see the fans singing the Korean lyrics, dancing to it, and even chanting to the songs perfectly. The Korean flags all around the concert hall were very impressive and touching. We hope that through us Korean culture and Korea can be known”.

After the concert, the audiences were unable to leave due to their impression and excitement for the concert and one of the audience, David(22 year-old, French) said “ It was so great that I could not speak. I love all the 5teams who showed the performances and they are the best.” Caroline (21 year-old, Belgian) gave a heartwarming feeling with tears in her eyes and said “I’m so glad that I get to see the concert with my own eyes. Even though I was up all night after I arrived in Paris yesterday, I didn’t think that I was tired. It was such a fantastic performance. I hope they come to Europe more often and have concert.”

Meanwhile, this concert will be aired on July 2nd, as MBC 50 year anniversary special with the title of “SMTWON LIVE WORLD TOUR in PARIS.’ SMTOWN LIVE WORLD TOUR will be held in Tokyo Dome in Japan, on 4th and 5th of September with 100,000 people.

SNSD's interview with Malaysia's 'The Star' newspaper

Malaysia’s ‘The Star’ newspaper tried to interview the girls while they were in Jeju Island for the Wonderful Jeju Super Concert on April 24th but due to their schedules, the interview could only be conducted through e-mails. Here are some contents of the interview which was published in the Star2 section of the paper on June 12th:

2010 was a very good year for Girls’ Generation. How are you going to top that?

Taeyeon: I’m not sure how we will prepare our concept for our performance, but we will never disappoint our fans.
Yuri: Many fans like our style. We will come back with a perfect stage which is full of SNSD magnetism.
Sooyoung: We always try to show fans a mature and varied performance. We hope they will love our new album, Mr Taxi (released in Japan last month).

People always accuse Asians of copy­ing the West in music but when Lady Gaga released her single. Bom This Way, recent­ly, she was accused of plagiarising your Be Happy by your international fans. What does this say about the growth of K-pop?

Taeyeon: Yes, many people throughout the world are interested in Korean pop music. But it is more important how K-pop applies to various styles rather than just being copied in other countries.
Yuri: There’s a craze for popular Korean cultures in many Asian countries because Korean pop music is a successful com­bination of the old and new.
Sooyoung: It is inevitable to refer to western music because it was developed earlier than Korean music. However, K-pop also reinterprets its style well.
Seohyun: Recently, Korean pop music has become successful in the western market. I think it is because there are so many singers who work hard at it. That’s why it’s getting popular with foreigner audiences.
Sunny: Because of the growth of Korean pop music, many fans can easily get the experience. So we will try to put up better performances for our fans.
YoonA: I would like to show our music to fans from other countries. We are supposed to go to Japan next.

Fans love your style. Can you recom­mend any Korean fashion lines or shops for Malaysian fans who want follow your style?

Taeyeon: I would like to introduce Myung Dong as a great place for youngsters’ culture.
Yuri: There are many famous places, but I would like to suggest Rodeo Street, Sinsadong garosugil.
Sooyoung: We also read many fashion magazines to find the best fashion.

The article also mentioned:

“Unfortunately, they were not able to say when they’ll be heading to Malaysia for a concert” - Star2