Chicago to Hold 2nd Flashmob for "SM Town" Live Concert

In 2011, United States was showered with top acts like Girls' Generation, 2NE1 and the Wonder Girls making their mainstream debuts. One of Korea's most popular tours, the SMTOWN Live World Tour, has touched down in Los Angeles and New York.

Now, fans in America's Midwest want their own show too. On November 12th, 2011, fans from all over the Chicago land area danced to hit songs from SHINee, Girls' Generation, Super Junior and many others in Lake Shore Park.

This summer, K-pop fans are planning to hold a second flash mob to catch the attention of popular music agency SM Entertainment.

What do the people of Chicago want? The answer is simple. They want the concert tour that has taken over the world to hold a show in the Windy City.

The flash mob is set to take place this June or July. The music lovers plan to dance to songs like the following: Girls' Generation's "Gee", SHINee's "Hello", Super Junior's "Sorry Sorry", DBSK's "Mirotic", BoA's "Eat You Up" and f(x)'s "Nu ABO".

Chicago is calling and they hope SM picks up.

SM Entertainment is scheduled to hold auditions in Chicago, Illinois on February 20th. 2012.

Chicago's first SMTOWN Live World Tour Flash mob took place on November 12th, 2011 at 2PM. The event was held in Lake Shore Park. Fans from the Midwest danced to the following track list: TRAX's "Are You Ready", SHINee's "Lucifer", Girls' Generation's "Genie", DBSK's "Keep Your Head Down", BoA's "Girls On Top", f(x)'s "Pinnochio", Super Junior's "Mr. Simple" and H.O.T'.s "Candy".

SM Entertainment's "SMTOWN Live '10 World Tour" began on August 20th, 2010 in Seoul. Since then, the show featuring SM Entertainment's top acts have traveled the world. SHINee, Girls' Generation, Super Junior, BoA, Kangta, f(x), TRAX and many others have performed in Shanghai, Tokyo, Paris, Los Angeles and New York.

SNSD unveiled practice video for Chocolate Love!

Check out the practice video of Chocolate Love by SNSD.

The girls released this song back in 2009 for LG Chocolate.

允儿、侑莉、秀英 在电视剧中正面对决

女生组合少女时代的成员允儿、侑莉和秀英将在3~4月份播出的电视剧中一起亮相。  


侑莉将通过SBS周一周二剧《时尚王》挑战演戏。《时尚王》讲述的是在东大门市场白手起家的青年人的成功故事，侑莉在剧中饰演的崔安娜一角虽然在美国受尽歧视和排挤，却仍坚持不肯认输，而最终成为了世界名牌的首席设计师。据悉，在拍摄现场，她和剧中竞争对手申世京激烈地对飙演技，令现场气氛非常炽热。该剧正在美国纽约拍摄，将于3月12日首播。  


允儿在即将于2月26日首播的KBS2电视台周一周二剧《爱情雨》中以主角身份出演。《爱情雨》讲述的是发生在上世纪70年代和2010年代的两段命运般的爱情故事，允儿将在剧中一人分饰两角，同时饰演70年代家庭大学的女学生允熙和她的女儿——生活在2010年代明朗活泼的河娜。现在，她正与演对手戏的张根锡一起在大邱拍摄该剧。《爱情雨》由韩流电视剧的先导——《冬季恋歌》和《蓝色生死恋》的导演尹锡瑚和作家吴秀妍（音）联手打造，成为关注的焦点。  


秀英也将出演即将于4月首播的总编电视台TV朝鲜的迷你系列剧《Speed》。如果该剧被编排到了周一周二的时段，少女时代的成员将就收视率展开肉搏。《Speed》是一部赛车题材的电视剧，秀英在剧中饰演整容外科医生兼赛车队主治医生的徐智园（音）。 Jessica也正在出演KBS2电视剧的周三周四剧《暴力罗曼史》，饰演李东旭的前女友姜钟熙（音）。随着剧情的发展，她的演技越来越成熟。业内评价认为，她的首次挑战演技成功实现了软着陆。  


选定少女时代成员出演的电视剧制作公司相关者介绍说“现在少女时代是电视剧选角的首选考虑对象，出道前她们就经过了演技的训练，是歌手兼演员，这是剧组找上她们出演的首要原因”，他接着透露“如果有少女时代加盟出演，能大大拓宽电视剧销往海外的渠道，这也是利好因素。此外，20多岁的女演员匮乏，也是让少女时代受到青睐的原因”，“组合成员们也都对演技很有野心，她们比谁都认真努力”。 

Yoona's Valentines gift to fans is her 11 line chocolate abs?

SNSD member Yoona gives a very unique gift to her fans. On the 14th of February, a photo of Yoona has surfaced online and is making waves among netizens. The photo was a fan taken photo of Yoona on SNSD's Asian tour concert in Thailand which was held last 12th of February.

On the photo, Yoona can be seen wearing a shirt and dancing, stretching her arms up causing her abs to be seen. Yoona showed off her 11 line chocolate abs and fans are impressed on Yoona's figure. Netizens commented, "It seems that her valentines gift to fans is her chocolate abs", "She's really passionate in dancing", "Im worried that she might be a little bit too skinny", "Wow her figure is great!".

The Hallyu stars who revealed their unexpected figures

There have a been a number of Hallyu stars who drew major attention after revealing their unexpectedly voluptuous and fit physiques.

Among them, is Girls’ Generation member Seohyun.

Seohyun’s innocent face and proper, upright lifestyle has helped her win the hearts of many male fans over the course of her career.

But at the Mnet Asian Music Awards that took place back on November 29th, Seohyun walked down the red carpet wearing a long black dress with a plunging neck line that revealed some unexpected curves.

Member Jun Hyosung of girl group SECRET has also built a strong fan base due to her angelic and innocent charm. But at the ‘MBC Music Festival‘ that was held at Jamsil Stadium last month, she surprised all of her fans by revealing her curves in a provocative jaw-dropping dress.

Actor Kim Bum has won the hearts of his noona fans with his adorable ‘aegyo’ in the past, but recently transformed into a sexy stud for his most recent drama. Kim Bum dropped over 20 pounds for his new role in jTBC‘s ‘Padam Padam‘, and continued to work out to develop chiseled abs and defined pectorals for a more masculine look.

Actress Shin Jisoo is also known for her youthful image and petite frame, but has also recently revealed her sexy body line for a completely new image.

Which celebrity surprised you the most with their body? Let us know below!

Korean beauty industry benefits from the Hallyu wave

The Korean beauty industry has taken a huge leap in success, thanks to the Hallyu craze all over the world.

The beauty industry in Korea is boasting a growth rate higher than that of other established markets such as Paris and Japan, and it looks as though this trend will continue. Now that Korean entertainment has successfully made a break through into Japan, China, and Southeast Asia, the regions local people interest in beauty and plastic surgery is on the rise.

But with the Hallyu creating waves in Europe, the US and also the Middle East, fans overseas are also showing their interest in Korean beauty and the K-pop idols themselves are serving as the models of the beauty industry. Corporations who have selected elegant and suave actresses as their models in the past are changing their direction and utilizing more and more K-pop idols.

Actress Park Shin Hye is among the top picks for a beauty model, along with KARA who is dominating in Japan, Girls’ Generation, 2NE1, T-ara, and more. It’s rare to see men modeling as models for the beauty industry, but idols such as Lee Seung Gi, TVXQ, 2PM, Jang Geun Suk, and Super Juniorare also actively modeling for beauty brands.

According to a beauty insider, “The merchandise that directly benefit from the Hallyu wave are none other than idol-related goods as well as beauty products. This is how much of an impact Hallyu has on beauty, and it is mutually beneficial as Hallyu is beginning to create bigger waves thanks to the booming Korean beauty industry.”

Before, tourists and overseas fans could only obtain Korean beauty products in the main shopping streets of Myungdong in Korea, but now these products are available in department stores and road shops all over the world, easy accessible by overseas consumers.

In addition to beauty corporations, the cosmetic surgery industry is also proving to receive benefits from the Hallyu wave. For the past two years, Plastic Surgery Center ‘JK’ boasted the highest number of overseas foreign patients who came in for consultations. Statistical data proves that the number of overseas patients alone for ‘JK’ exceeded an impressive number of 1,000, having increased by a rate of 500% in just a short year.

Not only are overseas tourists wanting to undergo surgery, but they want to receive cosmetic procedures to improve their overall appearance, and the interest from Southeast Asian tourists is explosive.

According to an insider from JK Plastic Surgery, “K-pop and Korean drama series has launched the Hallyu market, and through consumer goods we are expanding in these territories. Korean beauty products and cosmetic surgery boasts an unparalleled quality, and the interest in K-beauty in Southeast Asia will most likely continue to grow over the years.”

Sunny Attends SBS MTV 'Music Island' Press Conference

On February 14th, Girls’ Generation’s Sunny attended the SBS MTV “Music Island” press conference at the Grand Hotel in Jeju, where she stated, “I will do my best to become a bridge for Hallyu communication.”

Sunny gave her thoughts on becoming a solo MC for the first time on a music program.

Sunny stated, “Since this will be aired in over eight countries in Asia, I thought this would be a program that would help the K-Pop wave. As a member of Girls’ Generation, who has been getting help from the K-pop wave, I will take the pressures and work hard to fill in the large role for the program. I will do my best to lead the program to success.”

She continued, “Honestly, I’m really nervous, because this is my first time MCing alone. I am anticipating the first recording with a fluttering heart.”

Kim Changwoo, the production director of SBS MTV, revealed, “I’ve produced many music programs, but they all lacked variety. However, ‘Music Island’ will aim towards being a high-class live music show. We are planning on having many sectional live performances by idol groups who are leading the K-Pop wave.” He added, “We are anticipating it to be a show that combines live K-pop and talk. It will be aired in eight countries around Asia. I think using the MTV network will be a good model for K-pop.”

Meanwhile, Sunny will be taking her place as a solo MC for the recording of SBS MTV “Music Island” on February 14th at Jeju Convention Center’s Tamla Hall. IU, MBLAQ, F.T. Island, Dalshabet, Jung Yup, Rainbow, Block B, Lim Jeonghee and Sunny Hill are scheduled to appear. The first episode of “Music Island” will air at 8pm KST on February 29th in Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Philippines.