SNSD wins #1 + Performances from November 10th’s ‘M! Countdown’

Mnet’s “M! Countdown” is back with another episode of great performances!

Competing for the #1 spot, it was a hot battle between SNSD, Noel, and Lee Seung Gi, but in the end, it was SNSD who clinched a win with “The Boys“!

Congratulations to SNSD! (SNSD also won last week’s trophy for ‘M! Countdown’ as well, whose broadcast was cancelled. YoonA was absent due to drama filming.)

Wonder Girls teaser for next week:

T-ara teaser for next week:

Other performers tonight included SNSD, Two Months, Noel, Kim Jo Han, Flower, Son Ho Young, TRAX, Nemo, Orange Caramel, MYNAME, Woman Power, 4Men & Mi, and Lee Ji Hye.

Check out the performances below!

<4Men & Mi > **Comeback**

< Kim Jo Han > **Comeback**

< Two Months> (Superstar K3)

< Woman Power > **Debut Stage**

< SNSD >

< MYNAME>

< Noel >

< Nemo >

Taeyeon comments on the term “SNSD otaku” on ‘Radio Star’

SNSD‘s Taeyeon called out a host of ‘Radio Star‘ for using a negative term for Girls’ Generation fans on the recent broadcast of the show.

Host Kim Gookjin commented on Taeyeon’s kiss scenes during her previous casting in the musical, ‘The Sun’s Song‘. He asked, “Wouldn’t the ‘Soh-Duks’ dislike it?” referring to the mingling of the Korean word for the Japanese term “otaku” and SNSD’s full Korean name, SohNyeoShidae. Kim Gookjin further explained, “SNSD otakus.”

The SNSD members seemed slightly taken aback by the usage as Taeyeon replied, “That’s a negative expression.” The hosts expressed that they did not know about the negative connotation to the term, and Yoon Jong Shin joked, “The youngest is telling us that it’s a ‘negative expression’. Let’s not use the phrase again.”

SNSD’s Tiffany and Jessica also appeared on the episode.

Gaon releases chart rankings for the first week of November

The Gaon Chart is the national chart of South Korea and is intended to be the equivalent of Oriconin Japan and Billboard in the United States.

Check out the chart rankings for the week of October 30th to November 5th below!

< Gaon Chart National Digital Singles Ranking >

1. Oolala Session – “Western Sky” (Superstar K3) – 70,457,821 Points

2. Busker Busker – “Makgulie” (Superstar K3) – 57,193,523 Points

3. Noel – “I Miss You” – 44,545,143 Points

4. 4Men & Mi– “That Man, That Woman” – 40,301,869 Points

5. Tablo – “Tomorrow” – 36,713,247 Points

6. Yoon Mi Rae (T)– “Get It In” – 36,287,870 Points

7. Lee Seung Gi – “Because We’re Friends” – 34,095,703 Points

8. Kim Yeon Woo – “My Love Next To Me” (I Am A Singer)– 29,195,263 Points

9. SNSD – “The Boys” – 29,040,714 Points

10. SISTAR – “Hot Place” (feat. Brave Sound) – 27,923,970 Points

< Gaon Chart National Physical Albums Ranking >

1. SNSD – ‘The Boys’

2. Lee Seung Gi – ‘Tonight’

3. The Boss – ‘Lady’

4. Super Junior – ‘Mr. Simple’

5. F.T. Island – ‘Memory in F.T. Island’

6. Various Artists – ‘I Am A Singer’

7. SNSD – ’1st Asia Tour Concert Into The New World’

8. TVXQ – ‘Keep Your Head Down’

9. Super Junior – ’3rd Asia Tour Concert Album’

10. Various Artists - ‘Mary Stayed Out At Night’ OST

What does it take to create an SM Entertainment K-pop star?

SM Entertainment representative Kim Young Min revealed the behind-the-scenes secrets of how girl group SNSD came to be.

SME representative Kim Young Min and SME’s Japanese special advisor Maruyama Shigeo guest-starred on a recent episode of FBS TV ‘Friday Super Prime‘ that aired in Japan. Representative Kim discussed the different reasons on why he felt K-pop has been so successful and the direction it needs to take in the future.

He first credited the K-pop stars’ success on their rigorous practice and training periods. He stated, “When a concept for the group is decided, the songs, dance, and languages that are fitting for the group are also selected and the members go into training immediately… Training periods vary, but they last anywhere from 3-5 years. In the case of TVXQ, they trained for seven years before they made their debut.”

He also garnered much attention from viewers by revealing that it took around $2.5 million USD to train and perfect each SNSD member before they debuted. 300,000 hopefuls audition for SME, and only 100 of them make it as trainees. It takes anywhere from $2.5 – $5 million USD to take care of them starting from the auditions, to the training, all the way to their debut.

Representative Kim remarked, “Our main priority at our agency is to find and discover new talents and to nurture them into artists.” He continued to inform that SME continues to hold auditions not just in Korea but also in countries such as Japan, China, and America.

“Personality and character training are also very important,” he explained. He stressed the importance of training artists to communicate well with elders and their own family members. This way when they suddenly rise to fame, they will not lose their sense of judgment and will not be so quick to make rash decisions that may harm them in the long run.

Representative Kim also credited the success of K-pop to thorough marketing research, as well as well-utilizing the newest media sources.