SNSD’s Yuri spotted at a baseball game

SNSD’s Yuri was recently spotted at a baseball game between the Doosan Bears and LG Twins.

On May 3rd, Yuri took some time off to go to a baseball game with her friend. At the “2011 Lotte Card Pro-Baseball” game, some fans took a few paparazzi photos of the beautiful idol enjoying herself.

Though she was dressed casually and not wearing much makeup, she still looked quite beautiful.

Netizens wrote, “Real baseball stadium’s goddess”, “She is shining amongst all the people”, “I want to have a beer with Yuri”, “Too pretty”, “This is no joke”, “Her beauty stands out”.

Meanwhile, the LG Twins won the game.

SMTOWN LIVE heading to South America in July

Will SMTOWN be heading to South America this summer?

It has been revealed that a South American tour with SM Entertainment artists including BoA, TVXQ,Super Junior, SNSD, SHINee, and f(x) is currently in the works. According to several music industry representatives, SM Entertainment will be continuing their ‘SM Town Live World Tour‘ by heading to South America in July, making stops in Brazil, Chile, among other countries.

The reason for this South American tour is that the popularity of SM Entertainment artists in these countries has been steeply rising. In February, a Brazilian TV network held a survey regarding which Korean artist they would like to have visit their country. The top four spots were claimed by Super Junior, BoA, SNSD, and SHINee, respectively. Also, last November the Korean Cultural Industry Foundation held a survey amongst Brazilian fans regarding popular Korean singers. The results revealed that Super Junior, SHINee, BoA, and SNSD came in at 1st, joint 2nd, and 3rd place respectively.

Last month, SM Entertainment announced that they would be heading to France for their ‘SM Town Live in Paris‘ concert on June 10th. As this concert sold out almost immediately after tickets were released, the possibility of adding another day is currently being reviewed.

The ‘SM Town Live World Tour’ has already made stops in Los Angeles, Tokyo and Shanghai. By visiting both Europe and South America, this tour will become a legitimate world tour.

Girls' Generation Grabs First Place on Billboard Japan Hot 100!

irls' Generation has once again proven their dominance in Japan.

The Billboard Japan Hot 100, a chart which tracks sales of music singles each week in Japan, named Girls' Generation's new Japanese single 'MR. TAXI' as the top single for this week, jumping up from number 46 last week. The Billboard Japan Hot 100 determines chart placement through CD package sales and radio audience level data.

Girls' Generation is the second Korean artist to ever attain first place on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, following fellow SM Entertainment group TVXQ.

Hong JinHee : My concept SNSD!

50 years old actress Hong JinHee, made an appearance on MBC ‘Feel Good Day’ aired on May 4th. Crowned ‘Miss MBC’ in 1981, she was known for her role in the drama ‘Salted Mackerel’ and ‘Partner’. However, her sudden move to Philippines in 2002 sparked a lot of rumors.

After 10 years away from the acting scene, Hong JinHee who sported a new stylish look with blonde hair and pink jacket is back in business again for her role in the movie ‘Sunny’.

At a dinner with Jin HeeKyung and Yoo HoJung, Hong JinHee cracked a joke saying, “Today, SNSD is the concept of my costume but instead of SNSD, it’s ‘Grandma’s Generation’ inside”.

Yoo HoJung said, “Although Hong JinHee is the eldest, it seems to me that she is the youngest. She’s pure, always bright and optimistic, just like a child”.

Girls' Generation's Taeyeon Voted Number One Future Idol Mentor

Girls' Generation's Taeyeon received the highest votes as the idol who would be the future mentor and offer the greatest support.

MBC's 'Star Audition: Birth of a Great Star' is currently receiving much attention and there is also great interest on idols who would be future mentors for the show.

From April 26th to May 2nd, music portal 'Bugs!' held a survey with the question, 'Which idol would most likely be the future mentor for the show Star Audition?' The results showed Girls' Generation Taeyeon taking first place with 45% (2487 people) votes.

Taeyeon is the lead singer for Girls' Generation and is known as the 'Vocals Terminator' for her singing skills and famous OST tracks. The participants who voted for Taeyeon commented that "Taeyeon leads a 9-member group and is a bold leader", and "Taeyeon's voice, singing, etc. There is nothing about her that is wrong." Based on her experiences, many support the great likelihood of Taeyeon being a good mentor. A MR (Music Removed) video of Taeyeon's OST song 'I Love You' for the drama 'Athena: Goddess of War' uploaded online also illustrated her perfect vocals.

Girls' Generation is currently staying strong on the Oricon chart with their Japanese single 'MR. TAXI'.

Other idols voted were JYJ's Junsu and 2AM's Changmin.

What do you think of the results?

SM Entertainment might hold 'SM Town Live World Tour' in South America this July

SNSD might be travelling to the ‘Land of Passion’ South America this summer.

SNSD and other SM Entertainment artistes including BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, SHINee, f(x), etc might possibly be going on a South American tour this July. According to an official from the music industry, there is a plan for SM Entertainment artistes to have a concert in South American countries such as Brazil, Chile, etc in July. The South American concerts will be part of the ‘SM Town Live World Tour’ kicked off last year.

SM’s plan to tour South America was also fueled by the artistes huge popularity in the region. In February this year, in a survey entitled ‘Which artiste will have a concert in Brazil?’conducted via a TV broadcast, SM Entertainment artistes, namely Super Junior, BoA, SNSD and SHINee grabbed the top 4 spots. In addition to that, in November last year, Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange (KOFICE) conducted a survey to find out Brazilian fans’ choice of famous Korean singers. The results – Super Junior in 1st place, SHINee, BoA and SNSD were in 2nd, 4th and 5th place respectively.

Music industry official said, “SM’s ripple effect is really great. Not only in US, Japan, China, the artistes have managed to make impact even to Europe and South America and this is such a rare phenomenon for Korean artistes. Isn’t this the way of the true ‘World Stars’?”.

Kpop arrives in Europe

Hundreds of French fans gathered in front of the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday demanded an extension of a Korean pop concert, symbolizing the spread of the Korean Wave beyond Asia and into Europe.

Around 200 diehard K-pop fans picketed while dancing to Korean pop tunes for over an hour in front of the museum, demanding that a concert by TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, SHINee and f(x) scheduled for June 10 be extended for another day.

The 6,000 tickets for the concert sold out in just 15 minutes online. SM Entertainment, the organizer, is considering an unscheduled additional concert on June 9 to reward the enthusiasm of the French fans.

K-pop is popular in other European countries including the United Kingdom and Germany as well. On Feb. 25 this year, British teens formed a 200 m long queue in front of the Korean Cultural Centre in Trafalgar Square to see the first K-pop concert hosted by the centre. Around 700 fans were in line to watch the concert, including from Scotland, 600 km away. British teens surprised cultural centre staff by imitating dance moves by K-pop groups such as Big Bang, 2NE1 and Super Junior and singing their songs in Korean.

What is it the appeal to European teens? One French teenager who said she is an avid fan said, “K-pop stars can sing and dance well and they have perfect faces and bodies. They make great music videos, so when you watch that you get addicted to them and watch them again and again.” Websites like YouTube have played a huge role in bringing K-pop to Europe. Diehard French fans have created websites where visitors can download K-pop music videos and TV dramas featuring the artists.

Another factor is that a large number of K-pop songs were created by European songwriters. The Girls’ Generation song “Tell Me Your Wish (Genie)” was created by a European team of songwriters. “Chu~♡” by f(x) was written by a Swedish songwriting team, while TVXQ’s “Mirotic” was written by a Danish team.

K-pop has captured the attention of the European media. Early this year, French state-run broadcaster TF2 featured a documentary called “Korea, Hidden Strength” about K-pop stars and their lives. The BBC reported last Tuesday that the Korean Wave has spread past Asia to Europe and the U.S. “While conglomerates such as Samsung and Hyundai still form the backbone of the country’s financial structure, many people now believe that the Korean national brand itself is changing to reflect this new passion for Korean Wave,” the BBC said.