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Girls' Generation

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Template:Infobox musical artist 2

Korean name
Hangul
소녀시대
Hanja
Revised RomanizationSonyeosidae
McCune–ReischauerSonyŏsidae

Girls' Generation (Hangul: 소녀시대; Hanja: 少女時代) is a South Korean nine-member girl group formed by SM Entertainment in 2007. Its members include (in order of official announcement) Yoona, Tiffany, Yuri, Hyoyeon, Sooyoung, Seohyun, Taeyeon (the leader) , Jessica, and Sunny. International Girls' Generation fans usually refer to the group as SNSD, the acronym of the group's Korean name So Nyeo Shi Dae. Many of the members had already pursued entertainment careers before the group's debut through music videos, commercials, and others. Their official fanclub is known as S♡NE (소원), named after a song from their first album.

The group has sold over 100,000 copies each of their three albums, a rarity for female groups in the South Korean industry.[1]

History

Pre-debut

Each member was professionally trained in singing and dancing, but some were also selected to be trained in acting and modeling. Many of the members already had made names for themselves in the Korean entertainment industry through their participation in magazine ads, television commercials, and small television appearances. Before the official release of the group name, Girls' Generation, it was rumored that the group would be named "Super Girls" after their so-called counterpart, Super Junior.

2007: Debut and first album

In July 2007, Girls' Generation had their first performance on M.NET'S M!Countdown. Although this performance was never broadcast on television, many videos were shot by fans and uploaded onto the internet. The song the girls performed was called "다시 만난 세계 (Into the New World)", which became their first single.

In August 2007, the single "So Nyu Shi Dae" was released. This single included two other songs, "Beginning" and "Perfect For You (소원)", later renamed as Honey for their self-titled debut album "Girls' Generation". An instrumental of "So Nyu Shi Dae" was also included.

The group began promoting the single soon after its release. Girls' Generation performed their single on SBS's Popular Songs, MBC's Show! Music Core, and on KBS's Music Bank.

After a short break, the group's first full album was released in late autumn 2007, with the lead single "소녀시대 (Girls' Generation)", a cover of Lee Seung Chul's hit. Promotion for the single started in early November. Marked by dance routines and vocals, "Girls' Generation" was never a hit for the group, and the album has sold 121,143 copies to date, placing 12th in the year-end charts.[2] In early 2008, Girls' Generation began promoting their second single, "Kissing You". The music video featured Donghae from Super Junior. This song achieved the #1 spot in the three main TV music rankings—SBS Inkigayo, M.Countdown! and KBS Music Bank.

In March 2008, the album was re-released and re-titled Baby Baby. A third single, "Baby Baby", was used to promote the album. A digital EP featuring Jessica, Tiffany, and Seohyun was released on April 2008, titled Roommate. The single from the mini-album is "오빠나빠" (literally "Bad Brother", although contextually it refers to an older male friend).

Girls' Generation, along with fellow SM artists such as BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, CSJH the Grace, Zhang Liyin, SHINee and other SM artists participated in SMTown Live '08. The tour expanded its route to South Korea, Thailand, and China.

2008–2009: Other activities, return with mini-albums

It was announced in autumn 2008 that Girls' Generation would be starring in a reality show on M.Net. Titled Factory Girl, the show chronicles the girls working as interns at Elle Korea. The program began airing in early October.[3] During their absence from the music scene, they appeared in many commercials for Maple Story and Mabinogi. It was then announced that the group's first mini-album, Gee, would be released in January 2009.[4] A teaser video was released in January 2009 and the first single "Gee" released soon after. Interest in the song rose after the digital release,[5] topping Cyworld's hourly music chart on the release day.[6] The song also went #1 on all major digital music charts within two days.[7]

The group began its album promotion on January 2009 on Show! Music Core.[8] They sang their new single, "Gee", and "Him Nae/Way To Go", another track from the Gee mini-album. This song is a remake of the song "Haptic Motion" that was used in cellphone advertisements and is a mix of bubblegum pop and punk rock. Meanwhile, questions were raised when the group did not appear on KBS's Music Bank with "Gee", even after winning #1 on the music chart show.[9]

"Gee" is the record holder for the longest-running #1 on music portal M.Net (for 8 weeks), surpassing the previous record of 6 weeks set by the Wonder Girls' "Nobody".[10][11] They also broke the record on KBS's music show Music Bank by being #1 for 10 weeks[12], previously set by Jewelry's "One More Time, which had 7 wins.[13] Promotions for the song ended at the end of March.

"Gee" was a hit in Thailand as well, holding the number one position on the International Chart for six weeks straight. The girls were able to perform it at the Pattaya International Musical Festival, along with "Into the New World" and "Kissing You".[citation needed]

Like the Wonder Girls' "So Hot" and "Nobody", 2NE1's "Fire", Super Junior's "Sorry Sorry," and Lee Hyori's "U-Go-Girl", "Gee" was featured on perezhilton.com.[14]

On April 14, 2009, Girls' Generation released a digital single called "Hahaha" (하하하 쏭~), which was produced by Samsung for their "Hahaha" campaign. The song was created with the intention of lifting people's spirits up during hard economic times.[citation needed]

After a short break, SM Entertainment announced that the girls would be back with a new single and showing a "Marine Girl" concept; the song, titled "Sowoneul Malhaebwa (Genie)" (Korean: "소원을 말해봐", "Tell Me Your Wish"), was released digitally on June 22, 2009.[15][16] The mini-album includes a duet between Jessica and Shinee member Onew.[17] The group's first performance is scheduled for June 26 on KBS's Music Bank.[17]

On June 26, 2009, Girls' Generation's comeback performance was recorded on KBS's Music Bank. They won the award for best-selling song in the first-half of the year 2009 for their song "Gee", beating SS501 and Super Junior. Girls' Generation other comeback performance was recorded on MBC's 'Music Core' and SBS's 'Inkigayo' on June 27 and 28 of 2009 respectively.

Girls' Generation's 2nd mini-album was released on June 29, 2009.

Controversy

During the Dream Concert held on June 7, 2008 in South Korea, a silent protest was held against Girls' Generation by various other fan groups, notably E.L.F (Super Junior), Cassiopeia (TVXQ), and Triple S (SS501).[18]

Additionally, after the cover was released for their second EP Genie, there was controversy over some images used on the cover, including a fighter jet purported to be a World War II Japanese fighter jet. Due to the misunderstanding, SM Entertainment has delayed the EP until June 29 so that the covers can be redone. More recently, netizens have found out that there was another version of their song "Tell Me Your Wish (Genie)" that was done by and Uzbekistan pop singer Dineyra a few months ago, called Raqsga Tushgin, whicha had a very similar melody to it. SM has stated that the song is definately original, and that she has stole the melody which may have leaked out. There has been no official statement and Girls' Generation fans are waiting patiently for their response. [19]

Member profiles

Taeyeon

Further information: Taeyeon

(Leader); Lead Vocalist

  • Birth name: Kim Taeyeon (Hangul: 김태연 Hanja: 金泰姸)
  • Date of birth: (1989-03-09) March 9, 1989 (age 35)

Jessica

  • Birth/English name: Jessica Jung
  • Korean name: Jung Sooyeon (Hangul: 정수연 Hanja: 鄭秀妍)
  • Date of birth: (1989-04-18) April 18, 1989 (age 35)

Jessica was born and raised in San Francisco, California. She released 2 singles alongside with SeoHyun and Tiffany: "오빠 나빠" ("Bad Oppa") and "Mabinogi (It's Fantastic!)". Jessica also stars in Kim Jo-han's music video "Love is Late, I'm Sorry" and is featured in 8Eight's song, "I Love You". In their second mini-album Genie, she had a duet with Shinee's leader Onew entitled "One Year Later" (년 後 )

Sunny

  • Stage name: Sunny (Hangul: 써니 Hanja: 珊妮)
  • Birth name: Lee Soonkyu (Hangul: 이순규; Hanja: 李順圭)
  • Date of birth: (1989-05-15) May 15, 1989 (age 35)

Sunny was a trainee under a different entertainment company before she transferred into SM Entertainment. After several months of training under SM Entertainment in 2007, Sunny debuted as a member of Girls' Generation that same year. She was a co-DJ of Reckless Radio along with Sungmin of Super Junior until the broadcast ended on the July 30, 2008. Sunny appeared in Super Junior-H's music video for "Cooking? Cooking!". Sunny also sang the song "Finally Now(이제서야)" on the soundtrack for the movie Story of Wine. She also co-hosts a music show called The M with SS501's Hyungjoon.

Tiffany

  • Stage name: Tiffany (Hangul: 티파니; Hanja: 蒂芬妮)
  • Birth/English name: Stephanie Hwang
  • Korean name: Hwang Miyoung (Hangul: 황미영; Hanja: 黄美英)
  • Date of birth: (1989-08-01) August 1, 1989 (age 35)

Tiffany was raised in Diamond Bar, California and is fluent in English. She was discovered in the SM Starlight Casting System 2004 in Los Angeles and began her training under the label until the debut of Girls' Generation. Along with SeoHyun and Jessica, she released a single, "Bad Oppa" (오빠 나빠) and "Mabinogi [It's Fantastic!]". She was the co-host of Sonyeo Sonyeon Gayo Baekso (SSGB) along with Kim Hyesung from November 5, 2007 to June 13, 2008. She has also participated in live performances of rapper Nassun's single "Come to Play". She also sang the OST from "Ja Myung Go" "By Myself" and a duet with K.Will called "A Girl, Meets Love". Tiffany, along with Yuri, is currently the MC on MBC's Music Core.

Hyoyeon

  • Birth name: Kim Hyoyeon (Hangul: 김효연; Hanja: 金孝淵)
  • Date of birth: (1989-09-22) September 22, 1989 (age 34)

Hyoyeon was BoA's silhouette during a dance break in BoA's "Over the Top" performance in MKMF 2005.

Yuri

  • Birth name: Kwon Yuri (Hangul: 권유리; Hanja: 權侑莉)
  • Date of birth: (1989-12-05) December 5, 1989 (age 34)

Yuri joined the label when she took 2nd place in the 2001 1st SM Youth Best Dancer Contest. She appeared in TVXQ's "Beautiful Life" music video and had a small role as a ballerina in Super Junior's first movie, Attack on the Pin-Up Boys. She also had a small role in a television segment, "The King's Boyfriend," which was part of the 2005–2006 KMTV Super Junior documentary, Super Junior Show. Yuri also played a part in the sitcom Unstoppable Marriage alongside Sooyoung. Yuri is also the centerpiece of K. Will's music video "Dropping the Tears." Apart from all her solo works, she is currently the co-host of Korean music program Music Core on MBC alongside Tiffany on Saturday nights.

Sooyoung

  • Birth name: Choi Sooyoung (Hangul: 최수영; Hanja: 崔秀英)
  • Date of birth: (1990-02-10) February 10, 1990 (age 34)

Before Sooyoung's audition to Girls' Generation, she made a brief debut in Japan as a singer in the group called Route φ. She first debuted with Marina Takahashi with the song "Start". She was previously a DJ of ChunJi along with Sungmin of Super Junior but was soon replaced by Sunny due to schedule conflicts. Sooyoung also played a part in the sitcom Unstoppable Marriage alongside Yuri and was also in a movie with Kang-in of Super Junior and actress Lee Yeon-hee. Currently, she is the MC of the TV program Fantastic Duo.

Yoona

Further information: Im Yoona
  • Birth name: Im Yoona (Hangul: 임윤아; Hanja: 林允兒)
  • Date of birth: (1990-05-30) May 30, 1990 (age 34)

Seohyun

  • Stage name: SeoHyun (Hangul: 서현; Hanja: 徐賢)
  • Birth name: Seo Joohyun (Hangul: 서주현; Hanja: 徐珠賢)
  • Date of birth: (1991-06-28) June 28, 1991 (age 33)

Seohyun is the youngest member of SNSD and is skilled in piano. She was a 2004 SMART Uniform Model with TVXQ. Along with Jessica and Tiffany, they released a single "오빠 나빠" ("Bad Oppa"), and "Mabinogi (It's Fantastic!)". On February 17, 2009, her duet with trot singer Joo Hyun-mi was digitally released, called "짜라자짜" ("Go to sleep, Let's sleep").

Discography

Main article: Girls' Generation discography
Girls' Generation discography
Singles"다시 만난 세계 (Into the New World)"
Girls' Generation discography
Singles"소녀시대", "Kissing You", "Baby Baby"
Girls' Generation discography
Singles"Gee", "Himnae"
Girls' Generation discography
Singles"Tell Me Your Wish (Genie)", "Etude"

Digital Releases

  • September 13, 2007: "Into the New World" Remix
  • March 11, 2008: "Kissing You" Rhythmer Remix Vol.1
  • April 7, 2008: "오빠 나빠(Oppa Nappa)" Roommate 1st Digital Single : Jessica, Tiffany, Seohyun
  • May 8, 2008: "Haptic Motion"
  • August 1, 2008: "Mabinogi

Compilations

  • November 23, 2007: SBS Drama Thirty Thousand Miles in Search of My Son OST
    • Track 1, "Touch the Sky"
  • December 7, 2007: 2007 WINTER SMTOWN
    • Track 7, "Love Melody"
  • January 22, 2008: KBS Drama Hong Gil Dong OST
    • Track 2, "만약에 (Manyage / If)" : Taeyeon Solo
    • Track 5, "작은 배 (Jageun Bae / The Little Boat)"
  • August 8, 2008: SBS Drama Working Mom OST
    • Track 1, "꼭 (Ggok / For Sure)" : Yuri & Sooyoung Duet
    • Track 2, "사랑을 몰라요 (Sarang-eul Mollayo / You don't Know about Love)" : Sunny Solo
  • September 17, 2008: MBC Drama Beethoven Virus OST
    • Track 7, "들리나요...(Deullinayo / Can You Hear Me...?)" : Taeyeon Solo
    • Track 13, "Day by Day"
  • November 15, 2008: IPTV Movie Story of Wine OST
    • "이제서야 (Ijeseoya / Forever Now)" : Sunny Solo
  • March 25, 2009: SBS Drama Ja Myung Go OST
    • Track "나 혼자서, "By Myself" : Tiffany Solo

Reality TV Shows

  • 2007: Mnet's Girls' Generation Goes to School
  • 2007: MTV's SNSD
  • 2008: Mnet's Factory Girl
  • 2009: MBC's Girls' Generation Horror Movie Factory (cancelled 06/14/2009 due to low ratings)
  • 2009: KBS Joy's Girls' Generation's Hello Baby
  • 2009: MBC's Girls' Generation's Himnae-ra Him

References

  1. ^ Template:Ko icon Kim, Hyeong-wu. ‘소원을 말해봐’ 소시가 깨야할 기록들 ("Tell Me Your Wish", the Records that Girls' Generation Can Break). Joins.com/Newsen. June 22, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
  2. ^ Music Industry Association of Korea.2007 Year End Charts. Retrieved February 17, 2008.
  3. ^ 소녀시대, 이제는 패션 에디터로 변신 (Girls' Generation, Now Becoming Fashion Editors). MyDaily. September 30, 2008. Retrieved October 3, 2008.
  4. ^ Shin, Su-jin. 소녀시대, 다음달 7일 미니앨범 ‘Gee’로 컴백 (Girls' Generation, Next Month on the 7th, Mini Album "Gee" Comeback. Dailian/ebnews. December 29, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  5. ^ Kim, Go-geum. 소녀시대 신곡 ‘지’ 공개직후 ‘대박예감’ (Girls' Generation's New Song "Gee" Potential Breakout After Release). Munhwa Ilbo. January 6, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  6. ^ Lee, Soo-hyeon. 소녀시대 신곡 '지', 공개동시 싸이월드 실시간 1위 (Girls' Generation's New Song "Gee" Tops Cyworld's Hourly Chart After Release). MoneyToday. January 5, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  7. ^ Park, Young-woong. 소녀시대, 'Gee' 공개 2일만에 음원 차트 '올킬' (Girls' Generation's "Gee" Does Chart "All-Kill" 2 Days After Release). MyDaily. January 7, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2009.
  8. ^ Kim, Hyeon-woo. 소녀시대 gee, 국민요정 김연아 홈피로 홍보효과 만점! (Girls' Generation's "Gee", Korean Sensation Kim Yeona Publicly Uploads to Mini-Homepage and Endorses!). Joins.com/Newsen. January 5, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  9. ^ Lee, Jeong-hyeok. '소녀시대', KBS와 갈등?...2주 연속 출연 안해 (Girls' Generation, KBS Conflict?...Two Weeks of No-Shows). Sports Chosun. January 16, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2009.
  10. ^ Lee Soo-oon. [뮤직클럽]카라, 단숨에 2위 소녀시대 'Gee' 누를까 ([Music Club] Kara, Second in Moments; Can They Overcome Girls' Generation's "Gee"). ETNews. February 25, 2009. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  11. ^ Lee, Kyeong-ran. 소녀시대, 최장기 1위…8주 기록 경신은 쭉~ (Girls' Generation, A Strong #1...8-Week Record, Credulity High~). Joins.com. March 3, 2009. Retrieved March 3, 2009.
  12. ^ Kim, Hyeong-woo. 소녀시대 뮤뱅 9주 1위에 슈주 감동 깜짝축하 (Girls' Generation Music Bank 9-Week #1, Touched by Super Junior's Surprise Congratulations). Joins.com March 13, 2009. Retrieved March 13, 2009.
  13. ^ Yang, Seung-joon. 소녀시대, '뮤뱅' 7주 연속 1위...쥬얼리와 최장 기록 '타이' (Girls' Generation, 'Music Bank' 7-Week Continuous #1...'Ties' Jewelry's Record). EDaily. February 27, 2009. Retrieved March 3, 2009.
  14. ^ 소녀시대 '지', 원걸-효리 이어 美 페레즈힐튼닷컴 소개 (Girls' Generation's "Gee" Featured on PerezHilton.com After Wonder Girls, Hyori). MyDaily. February 10, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
  15. ^ http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200906231509181002.
  16. ^ Jang, Hwi-jae. 소녀시대, 타이틀곡 ‘소원을 말해봐’로 활동 재개 (Girls' Generation, Title Song "Tell Me Your Wish" For Comeback). TodayKorea. June 17, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
  17. ^ a b Template:Ko icon 소녀시대, 25일 두 번째 싱글 '소원을 말해봐' 공개 (Girls' Generation, Second Single "Tell Me Your Wish" Released on 22nd). CNB News. June 22, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
  18. ^ SNSD Dream Concert Silent Nightmare Newsen. Retrieved September 05, 2008
  19. ^ Template:Ko icon Kang, Seung-hun. 소녀시대, '마린걸' 콘셉트 논란으로 앨범 출시 29일 변경 (Girls' Generation, "Marine Girl" Concept Controversial, Album Delayed to 29th). Asia Economy. June 23, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  20. ^ 6월 가요음반 판매량집계. Recording Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
  21. ^ [1]Recording Industry Association of Korea]
  22. ^ http://star.mt.co.kr/view/stview.php?no=2009031710540748246&type=1&outlink=1
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