'Lights and Shadows' & 'Fashion King' rise in percentage but not 'Love Rain'

MBC TV “Light and Shadows” and SBS TV “Fashion King” rose in viewing percentage but only "Love Rain” fell.

According to AGB Nielson Media Research on the 2nd, “Lights and Shadows” aired on the first rated 22.3%. This is 0.8% higher than the previous week and “Fashion King” also increased by 0.5%. On the other hand, “Love Rain” fell a 0.4% to 5.2%.

“Love Rain” showed Ha-na (Yoona) hurting at the break up with Joon (Jang Geun Seok). Knowing about the connection between Ha Na and Yoon Hee (Lee Mi Sook), Joon decided to give Ha Na up.

Ha Na was confused and asked why when Joon broke up with her but he didn't answer her back.

Girls' Generation's 'Dear Mom' was written by Ivy

Singer Ivy revealed that she was the lyricist for Girls’ Generation’s ‘Dear Mom’ which was released in 2009.

On SBS ‘Strong Heart’ aired on May 1st, Tiffany disclosed that she is a fan of Ivy’s songs and at the same time, revealed facts about Ivy as a lyricist. Tiffany said, “In one of our albums, there is a song called ‘Dear Mom’. As I’m a fan of Ivy, I knew it was her as soon as we received the lyrics”.

Ivy then responded, “I used the name ‘The Lighthouse’ while I was carrying out my songwriting activities. I was having a difficult time then and like a lighthouse, I wanted to give lights to people around the world. That was the reason why I came up with the name ‘The Lighthouse’”.

Tiffany added, “We kept this (Ivy’s identity) as a secret but now, I want people to know that Ivy is the songwriter known as ‘The Lighthouse’”. Besides Girls’ Generation, Ivy was also involved in SHINee’s album.

Girls' Generation Featured in LA Times Article 'K-Pop Enters American Pop Consciousness'

Girls’ Generation, alongside several other K-pop artists, were recently mentioned in an LA Times article covering the expansion and growth of the K-pop scene in the United States.

The article began by covering Girls’ Generation’s performance of the “The Boys” on “Late Show with David Letterman”. The author commented that the group pulled off a look that wouldn’t be out of place at a “goth cocktail party”, but praised the performance and song as something “new yet uncannily familiar on the American pop scene”. Tiffany’s reaction upon learning they’d be performing on the show was also humorously recounted.

The writer went on to note that Girls’ Generation is “arguably the biggest name in…Korean pop music culture”, and that the group and K-Pop as a whole have won over fans of various nationalities with ” techno, hip-hop, R&B and top-40 [sounds]” and “singles [that] are often focused vehicles for elaborate music videos and rarely less than bonkers good fun.”

Further, he noted that “Gee” essentially “transformed the country’s role in the Asian pop landscape”, and elaborated on its success with the MV’s 70 million hits on YouTube and how Girls’ Generation became “the first non-Japanese Asian girl group to top Japan’s singles charts.”

Regarding their American expansion, the author noted the gradual increase of performances in the US, including last year’s SMTOWN Live in New York, as an indication of how far the genre has come since the days when it was only accessible by social media networks. Being able to connect with their fanbase abroad is especially important for idols born in the US like Tiffany, who said, “There were so many more opportunities in K-Pop for a young Asian-American singer. It took some adjusting to move there [Korea] in my teen years. But fans respected that this group wasn’t put together overnight, it took a lot of practice to learn our different values and strengths.”

Lastly, the difficulties regarding the lack of an American “hub” were noted, as the US lacks a music show line-up like those present in Korea, and how artists like 2NE1, the Wonder Girls, and Girls’ Generation themselves are finding ways around this. The Madison Square Garden concert was again highlighted as a big step forward, and the piece concluded with a hopeful reflection from Tiffany: “Coming back to America to pursue music is a dream. Not just because it’s America, but because this is just the beginning.”

Girls' Generation, Super Junior & TVXQ to appear on 'Joo ByungJin Talk Concert'

On MBC’s ‘Joo ByungJin Talk Concert’ which will be aired on May 3rd, leaders of Hallyu, Girls’ Generation members Tiffany and Seohyun along with TVXQ’s Yunho and Changmin and Super Junior’s LeeTeuk and EunHyuk will be making an appearance on the show.

In the ‘Lunch Talk’ corner, the SM Entertainment artistes were asked about things they wish to tell lovers and how they want their spouses to wake them up in the morning. Besides that, the members’ opinions about marriage related matters will also be revealed.

This episode of ‘Joo ByungJin Talk Concert’ will be aired at 11.15pm KST on May 3rd.

SNSD unveiled Yakult Look CF!

Another new CF brought to you by SNSD.

Check out their latest CF for Yakult Look!

Which artists in SM Town ever regretted being a member of their agency?

Some artists represented by SM recently admitted ever regretting being a member of their successful agency.

The answers are f(X)’s Sulli, Krystal, SNSD’s Hyoyeon, and Kangta.

On April 30, the showcase for the movie I AM was held at the CGV Youngdeungpo, in Youngdeungpo, Seoul.

SM’s artists were faced to answer this question: “Have you ever regretted being represented by SM Entertainment.”

f(X)’s “Giant Baby”revealed, “I became a trainee when I was in fifth year in an elementary school, and started loving in a dorm. My family lived in Pusan, so I couldn’t visit my family often, and missed my mom so badly.”

Another f(X) member Krystal revealed, “I didn’t like living in a dorm and being not allowed enough free time.”

SNSD’s dancing queen Hyoyeon gave a similar reason to Sulli’s. “I felt similar to what Sulli felt. For me, commuting from home to work took 3~4 hours. It was pretty hard as I was little.”

I AM is a biographical film featuring SM Town’s artists and their years of efforts and behind stories in the process of becoming world-famous stars—the first Asian singers going on the stage at New York Madison Square Garden, the center of pop. The high-profile movie is out on May 10.

TaeTiSeo sweeps Japan's pre-order charts

After its overwhelming sweep on Korean music charts, Girls’ Generation’s sub unit TaeTiSeo’s explosive popularity crossed borders to Japan and swept pre-order charts.

TaeTiSeo’s debut mini album “Twinkle” has topped the Japan Tower Records pre-order chart continuously for 3 consecutive days and even ranked number two on daily chart as well. Also, on HMV’s pre-sales ranking chart, TaeTiSeo comes in at #4, proving the trio’s incredible popularity in the country.

A local media reported, “It’s enough with even just 3 members. Girls’ Generation’s TaeTiSeo is receiving a huge interest from international fans.”