Tag: GIRLS GENERATION

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Hyoyeon Discusses Relationship With Other GIRLS’ GENERATION Members

HYO discussed how she and the other GIRLS' GENERATION members communicate
HYO discussed how she and the other GIRLS' GENERATION members communicate

GIRLS’ GENERATION’s Hyoyeon recently offered an unfiltered glimpse into the current dynamics among the group’s members. HYO, who made her comeback with the single “Picture,” appeared on KBS CoolFM’s “Lee Eun Ji’s Music Plaza” on August 29. During her visit, she shared intriguing insights about her career and addressed listener questions.

Hyoyeon Talks About The Difficulties of Communicating With Other GIRLS’ GENERATION Members

One fan inquired about how her fellow group members reacted to her new single, leading Hyoyeon to candidly illuminate the group’s real dynamic. She disclosed that, in reality, they don’t closely monitor each other’s individual schedules due to their incredibly busy lives. This makes it nearly impractical to keep constant tabs on one another.

The revelation sheds light on the challenges of maintaining close connections within a highly active and dynamic group like GIRLS’ GENERATION, where each member is pursuing their individual endeavors. HYO’s candid response provides valuable insight into the realities of maintaining strong bonds within a large, busy group.

Interestingly, Hyoyeon admitted she has yet to hear from the other members of the group since her single’s release.

“This time, while preparing for my solo song, I didn’t say anything to them,” she told the host. “After the song was released, I told them it came out asked them to promote it, but there was no feedback… I met one of the members yesterday, and they said it was very cool.”

It may sound cold but the members of GIRLS’ GENERATION are clearly busy with their own schedules. Although it means they don’t bond like other groups, there is little doubt that their friendship is forever.

Hyoyeon also revealed that she doesn’t do a lot when she isn’t promoting as a solo artist. “During my off-season, I am just like anyone else – I even wear the same clothes for five days straight,” Hyoyeon said.

HYO’s new single “Picture” was released on August 22, 2023.

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GIRLS GENERATION’s Sooyoung on Decision To Pursue Acting Career

Sooyoung reflects on her career move from GIRLS GENERATION member to acting in numerous successful films and TV shows

GIRLS GENERATION member Sooyoung is opening up about her successful career shift. The former SM Entertainment talent has been pursuing an acting career after leaving her original agency. But does this present a dilemma for Choi Soo-young? The “Winter Breath” singer has opened up about her decision to make the move to acting and how it affected her career.

Sooyoung on Balancing GIRLS GENERATION With Acting Career

Sports Chosun, a prominent media outlet, recently conducted an insightful interview with GIRLS GENERATION’s Sooyoung. This engaging conversation, dated August 24, 2023, delved deep into various aspects of her acting career.

Sooyoung’s transition into the acting industry following her remarkable tenure in the nation’s top idol group, GIRLS GENERATION, has been widely recognized. For numerous idols who embark on an acting career, shedding their idol image can be a challenging feat. There’s often a prevailing bias against idol-actors. During the interview, an intriguing question was posed: whether she felt any constraints as an actor, given her firmly established image as a member of the girl group.

Interestingly, Choi Soo-young gave her answer a lot of thought and her response was intriguing.

“I’ve never thought about ever breaking up GIRLS’ GENERATION and leaving. GIRLS’ GENERATION’s existence is akin to my own skin,” she said. “It is a matter of my own skills and competitive edge, for the audience to not be reminded of GIRLS GENERATION as I promote as an actor.”

“I think that this isn’t a question of the essence,” Choi continued. “Although I am working on acting projects as Choi Sooyoung, I cannot change the fact that I’ve been living as part of GIRLS’ GENERATION continuously. There’s nothing to change about this in fact. It’s not something that I have to escape from. If GIRLS GENERATION becomes a weight for me to bear as an actor, then I think that my own skills are lacking.”

Choi Soo-young began her acting career by working on variety shows. She made her acting debut in “Hello, Schoolgirl” in 2008. Since then, she appeared in TV shows like “The Third Hospital”, “Run On”, and “If You Wish Upon Me.” Sooyoung also appeared in films like “Girl Cops” and “New Year Blues.”

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Look: Snsd’s Hyoyeon Drops Teaser for ‘Picture’

SNSD's Hyoyeon poses for the teaser of 'Forever 1.' Credit: Facebook/SNSD

Save the date because DJ Hyo is releasing new music! 

Girls’ Generation member Hyoyeon released on Wednesday, August 16, the teaser for her highly-anticipated comeback. Featuring red fluorescent lights, the teaser also revealed that the single will be titled Picture, and will be out on September 22. 

Picture will serve as Hyoyeon’s first solo release in over a year following her EDM mini album DEEP. The EP was released in May 2022. 

Hyoyeon made her solo debut in 2018 under the moniker DJ Hyo. Her solo singles include “Sober,” “Punk Right Now,” “Second,” and “Dessert.” 

In a radio interview with Super Junior’s Donghae and Eunhyuk, Hyoyeon opened up about her decision to pursue a career as a DJ. She said that she wanted to combine her hobbies for dancing and listening to a wide range of music. 

“Because I danced before, the music I listened to has a broader spectrum, genre-wise. I wanted to share the songs I like; I wanted to do mixing. I was learning it as a hobby myself, and I heard from other people that I know a lot of songs, that I know the flow well. So because I kept hearing that I’m good, as I learned more, it felt like…it was mine,” she said.

Currently, Hyoyeon is one of the only four Girls’ Generation members that is still under SM Entertainment. 

Sunny recently left the agency after 16 years. Meanwhile, members Seohyun, Tiffany, and Sooyoung left in 2019. 

Although under different agencies, the eight members reunited in August 2022 to release the album Forever 1. It was in celebration of the group’s 15th debut anniversary. 

Girls’ Generation is known for songs “Genie,” “Gee,” “Lion Heart,” and “Oh!” among others. 

Featured image: SNSD’s Hyoyeon in the teaser of ‘Forever 1.’ Credit: Facebook/SNSD

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Cute! Yoona Shares Photos From Last Day of Filming ‘King the Land’

YoonA shares a photo with Lee Junho from a scene in 'King the Land.' Credit: Instagram/YoonA

It’s a happy ending for Cheon Sa Rang and Goo Won! 

YoonA of Girls’ Generation marked the finale of King the Land, her series with 2PM’s Lee Yunho, with behind-the-scenes photos from the set. 

 

The romantic comedy series aired its final episode on Monday, August 6. According to Nielsen Korea, the series finale logged an average nationwide rating of 13.8%, a new personal record for the drama. 

To celebrate the milestone, YoonA took to Instagram to share photos with her fellow cast members. 

In the photoset she shared on August 9, YoonA and Junho posed during the wedding scene in the finale. 

 

Additionally, she also shared photos of them with Ahn Se Ha, Kim Ga Eun, Go Won Hee, and Kim Jae Won. They were referred to as the “six siblings” in the series. 

 

YoonA on ‘King The Land’

Following the end of the series, the idol-actress also opened up about her experience filming King the Land. 

“I did my best, and I’m really grateful to the viewers who watched the drama & loved it affectionately,” she said. 

 

Moreover, YoonA expressed her happiness in having the series ranked first on Netflix globally. She said, “I actually felt blissful that many people from around the world love the series.” 

 

As for her chemistry with Junho, YoonA shared that it was really important for the series. 

“Our opinions regarding the highlight points are matching and I received lots of help from him,” she said. “Therefore, we managed to communicate well and express things comfortably during the filming.” 

During the filming, Im YoonA and Lee Junho were rumored to be dating. But both of their agencies denied the reports. 

Featured image: YoonA shares a photo with Lee Junho from a scene in ‘King the Land.’ Credit: Instagram/YoonA

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Snsd’s Sunny Leaves SM Entertainment After 16 Years

SNSD member poses during the group's 'Forever 1' promotions. Credit: Facebook/SNSD

Girls’ Generation member Sunny is entering a new era in her career as she parted ways with longtime agency SM Entertainment. 

On Tuesday, August 8, the idol personally delivered the news to her fans through an Instagram post. 

The lead vocalist started her letter by expressing her gratitude to the members, staff, and fans who made Girls’ Generation’s 16th debut anniversary possible. 

 

Sunny then dedicated a separate section for her SM Entertainment. She said that the label “gave great help so that 19-year-old Lee Soon Kyu (her real name) could debut as Girls’ Generation’s Sunny.” 

“Every single day, I was as happy as I could be to be able to debut as Girls’ Generation with the members and to meet SONE (Girls’ Generation’s official fan club),” she wrote, as translated by Soompi. 

As to what lies ahead in her career, Sunny said that she’s “trying to take courage to see [herself] in a new environment from a different perspective.” 

She also left a promise to their fans, who she said “sent support without change for a long period of time.” 

“No matter what kind of day comes in the future, I will continue to move forward as the revitalizing Sunny,” she said. 

Following the singer’s post, SM Entertainment confirmed that Sunny has left their agency. 

The label then described the idol as someone “who showcased amazing activities while together with [them] for a long time.” 

They also asked the fans to continue their support for Sunny as she embarked on a new path. 

 

Which SNSD members are still under SM Entertainment?

Speculations that Sunny parted ways with SM Entertainment started when only members Taeyeon, Hyoyeon, Yuri, and Yoona shared a special message for the group’s anniversary. Girls’ Generation celebrated their 16th year in the industry on August 5. 

 

Aside from her Instagram post, Sunny also assured her supporters through the Bubble platform.

She opened up how she wasn’t that worried since she knew that they can still continue activities as a group. “Even if all the members aren’t [under SM Entertainment], they say Girls’ Generation can still go on. I’m just thankful,” she said. 

 

Sunny made her debut as a member of Girls’ Generation in 2007 through “Into The New World.” Originally a nine-piece act, member Jessica left the group and agency in 2014. 

In 2019, members Seohyun, Tiffany, and Sooyoung left SM Entertainment to pursue solo projects. 

Although under different agencies, the eight members reunited in August 2022 to release the album Forever 1. It was in celebration of the group’s 15th debut anniversary. 

Girls’ Generation is known for songs “Genie,” “Gee,” “Lion Heart,” and “Oh!” among others. 

Featured image: SNSD member poses during the group’s ‘Forever 1’ promotions. Credit: Facebook/SNSD

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These Are the Planned Albums, Concerts for SM Entertainment Acts for the Rest of 2023

SHINee releases album 'HARD' in June. Credit: Facebook/SHINee

2023 is looking to be an interesting year for SM Entertainment as they unveiled their plans for the coming months. 

On Wednesday, August 2, the agency unveiled its earnings release report for the second quarter of 2023.

The said report includes updates of their consolidated business results for the past quarter, as well as event line-up previews for the coming months. 

According to the report, SM Entertainment logged 35.7 billion won in operating profit for the second quarter of 2023. Their net income also increased by 11.6%, reporting 28.3% billion won. 

Meanwhile, their quarterly revenue improved by 30% to 239.8 billion won. 

The increase in revenue is attributed to the resumption of offline concerts globally and more merchandise sold through pop-up stores related to album releases. 

Relative to the increase, SM Entertainment specifically mentioned aespa’s EP My World, which sold over two million copies. 

Additionally, groups NCT DREAM, TVXQ!, and Red Velvet held the most offline concerts worldwide, with 17, 12 and 11, respectively. 

What to expect for the rest of 2023 in terms of albums 

As for their upcoming music releases, eight SM Entertainment acts are slated to make a comeback in the third quarter. Meanwhile, 11 acts are scheduled the fourth quarter. 

Although the agency clarified that the lineup might change, here’s a rundown of what fans can possibly expect: 

3rd quarter:

For August, U-Know Yunho of TVXQ is confirmed to be releasing his third solo mini-album Reality Show on the 7th.

Meanwhile, Hyo, or Hyoyeon from Girls’ Generation, will be releasing a single.  Also for August, NCT might release an album and aespa with an English single.

Details for said releases have yet to be disclosed, but NCT will be having their first full-group concert NCT NATION: To the World on August 26, while aespa teased a release titled “Better Things.”

For September, Super Junior’s Yesung, SHINee’s Key, and EXO’s D.O. will be releasing their solo mini-albums. 

RIIZE, SM Entertainment’s first boy group in seven years, is also expected to make their official debut in September with a single. 

4th quarter:

Although there are no specific months yet, SHINee’s Minho and Super Junior’s Ryeowook will be releasing a single in the fourth quarter.

Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon and SHINee’s Taemin will also be making their solo comebacks with mini-albums. 

Moreover, TVXQ! and Red Velvet might release full albums, while it’s undecided whether NCT127 will release a full-length album or a single. RIIZE is also expected to make a comeback in the fourth quarter with a single. 

As for international releases, WayV will have a full-length album in Chinese, while aespa might release an English single or mini-album. 

NCT Tokyo is also planned to make their debut in the fourth quarter with a Japanese single. Although the preview noted that the artist’s name is still tentative.

NCT Tokyo will reportedly have six members, with four being chosen from the reality survival show NCT Universe: The Lastart. It is also said to be the final sub-unit of NCT. 

What to expect for the rest of 2023 in terms of concerts 

 

Meanwhile, six acts will be having concert shows for the next months.

Taeyeon is currently embarking on the Asia leg of her The ODD Of Love show, which will run until late August. Additionally, aespa is doing the America and Europe stops of their Syk: Hyper Line shows until September. 

From August to September, Chen will have his Polaris tour in Japan. After their Seoul shows, NCT will bring their NCT NATION: To the World concert to Japan in September. 

SHINee will stage their World VI [Perfect Illumination] shows in Japan between September to October, while Yesung will kick off his solo concert tour in Seoul in October.

On top of that, the agency will also bring their SMTOWN LIVE concert to Jakarta in September. TVXQ!, Super Junior, Red Velvet, NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, aespa, and RIIZE will be performing. 

Stay tuned here for more updates about these upcoming releases and concerts. Which of these are you most looking forward to?  

Featured image: SHINee releases album ‘HARD’ in June. Credit: Facebook/SHINee

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Girls’ Generation’s “Gee” Tops Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Songs in K-pop History

American music publication Rolling Stone released its list titled “The 100 Greatest Song In The History of Korean Pop Music,” with Girls’ Generation’s “Gee” taking the top spot. 

According to the article released on Thursday, July 20, the entries were “crafted by a panel of music journalists and critics, both based in Korea and the United States.”

 

The list featured songs of various genres, and even those released from the 1920s. 

Describing “Gee” as a “testament to the way love — and all of its indescribable ecstasies — can be translated through pop music,” Rolling Stone explained that it’s an “enduring hit” because of its “rapidly repeated syllables” and “dizzying, maximalist aesthetic.” 

“Gee” served as the lead single of Girls’ Generation’s debut EP in 2009. Its music video saw the girls — in their iconic colored skinny jeans — harboring a crush on SHINee’s Minho. 

 

When it was released, “Gee” set the record for the longest-running number one song on Music Bank with nine consecutive wins before Psy broke it with “Gangnam Style” in 2012. 

“Gee” was also the first K-pop group music video to reach 100 million views — a feat it achieved in 2013, or almost four years after its release. 

Trailing “Gee” are H.O.T’s “Candy” and IU’s “Good Day” in second and third place, respectively. 

Rolling Stone wrote that “Candy” has “set the bar for every K-pop boy band’s sugary-sweet summertime earworms to come,” while “Good Day” has “emphasized IU’s bright, bold, and candied sensibility.”

The rest of the top 10 are: 4) BTS’ “Spring Day,” 5) Cho Yong Pil’s “Short Hair,” 6) BLACKPINK’s “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” 7) BIGBANG’s “Haru Haru,” 8) 2NE1’s “I Am the Best,” 9) Seo Taiji and Boys’ “I Know” and 10) Wonder Girls’ “Tell Me.” 

The rest of the songs included in the Top 100 can be found HERE. How do you feel about this ranking?

Featured image: SM Entertainment’s YouTube

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GIRLS GENERATION’s YoonA and 2PM’s Junho Had The Same Reason For Working On “King The Land”

YoonA and Junho are working together for the exact same reason. The GIRLS GENERATION singer and 2PM member have shared why they agreed to work on King The Land. Interestingly, both Im Yoona and Lee Junho were looking for a change.

YoonA and Junho Discuss Working on New Rom-Com King The Land

Im Yoona and Lee Junho attended a press conference for King The Land ahead of the show’s premiere. During the event, YoonA confirmed she chose to work on the new JTBC romantic comedy for a change of pace.

“My last project was heavy and dark, so I wanted to work on a piece with a brighter tone for my next project,” she revealed. “I also felt that when I tried out a character with a bright personality in the past, many fans liked it.”

YoonA had previously worked on the crime drama Big Mouth alongside Lee Jongsuk. It was a very different project from her upcoming rom-com.

Lee Junho agreed with YoonA, admitting he took on King The Land to be set apart from the historical drama he previously starred in.

“I felt the same as YoonA,” Junho said. “Working on The Red Sleeve, I struggled through a lot of emotional stress.”

He explained, “It is based on a historical figure, which meant that I was aware of the story’s tragic developments even as I worked on the project. This time, I chose a project that is allowing me to empty my mind of stray thoughts. It is a production full of love and laughter.”

Although Junho had fun working on the new show, he also confessed that playing a character who doesn’t like smiles was difficult.

“I’m the kind of person who smiles and laughs easily, so acting out a character who doesn’t smile or laugh was actually a big challenge for me. I immediately smile or laugh after even cut,” he said.

Luckily, things were not that hard since Junho was working with YoonA. The Confidential Assignment star revealed that she was excited about working with the 2PM member.

“It’s our first time working on an acting project together,” YoonA said. “I’m so happy that I’m working with Junho, whom I’ve known professionally since we were young.”

“There were moments when we could comfortably look back on those days and talk about our experiences,” she revealed.

In King The Land, Lee Junho plays Gu Won, a chaebol heir who can’t stand fake smiles, and Im Yoona portrays the constantly smiling Cheon Sa Rang. The series will premiere on JTBC on June 17, 2023.

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GIRLS GENERATION’s YoonA On What Drew Her To ‘King The Land’

YoonA is working on a new romantic comedy. The GIRLS GENERATION member discussed her decision to work on “King The Land”. She also shared what it was like playing the cheerful Cheon Sa-rang who is known as the “Queen of Smiles”.

GIRLS GENERATION’s YoonA Hypes Up New Rom-Com ‘King The Land’

Im Yoon-ah is currently promoting “King The Land”. In an interview with NAVER, she opened up about her decision to join the new romance series. For YoonA, it was about giving her fans something new and different to watch.

“I normally enjoy romantic comedies and since my last work was of the noir genre, I thought it’d be nice to greet viewers with a brighter and more cheerful project next,” she said.

“I also chose [this drama] as I was reminded of how many people liked when I portrayed proactive characters with bright personalities. The fact that it’s set with a hotel VVIP lounge as the background also had quite a unique charm,” she added.

“King the Land” follows an unlikely romance between Gu Won, a chaebol heir who can’t stand fake smiles, and the constantly smiling Cheon Sa Rang. In the series, Sa-rang became known as the “queen of smiles” while working her way up at the King Hotel.

How Did Cheon Sa Rang Become The ‘Queen of Smiles’?

For YoonA, playing Cheon Sa Rang meant understanding the story behind her smile.

“To Cheon Sa Rang, the King Hotel is a place full of childhood memories,” she said. “When having to smile or work as a hotelier, I acted while constantly thinking about Cheon Sa Rang’s sincere heart and meaning for the King Hotel.”

“Although she has many other sides, Cheon Sa Rang is someone who does her job incredibly well and has both responsibility and a sense of duty, so I worked hard to make sure those aspects were shown well,” she continued.

It’s already an exciting show to look forward to. Im Yoo-nah promised viewers that they will thoroughly enjoy watching “King The Land”.

“There’s all kinds of fun in ‘King the Land,’ from comedic elements to a sweet romance,” she said. “In particular, seeing Cheon Sa Rang discover her real smile and the cute side of the cold Gu Won who transforms after meeting Cheon Sa Rang will leave lasting impressions.

“Additionally, as we had many location shoots, you should look forward to the visual aesthetics,” Yoona continued.

2PM member Lee Junho will play Gu Won in the upcoming show. “King The Land” will premiere on JTBC on June 17, 2023, at 10:30 p.m. KST.

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