Austin's Choice - KPOP : 2. Girls' Generation

Introduction

Each member of Girls' Generation adds her own brilliant hue to the vibrant creativity of this multi-faceted band. One minute coyly taking the stage in a rainbow of skinny jeans and the next minute dressed in military-type outfits and showing off their legs through powerful, controlled dance moves—these girls can do it all! Whatever the concept, Girls' Generation adds their own unique style, making each album a bit hit and spreading Girls’ Generation fever across the globe. As the leading girl group in Asia, Girls’s Generation has enjoyed tremendous popularity not only in Korea but also in Japan and Taiwan, setting the global standard for girl idol groups.

Group Introduction

Meaning 'The Era of the Girls,' Girls' Generation (also known as SNSD) is a nine-member girl group that made its debut in 2007. The group consists of Yoona, Sooyoung, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Taeyeon, Jessica, Tiffany, Sunny, and Seohyun. The group won the Artist of the Year (Daesang) awards at the Golden Disk Awards for two consecutive years (2009 and 2010) and were the first Korean girl group to make it to #1 on Japan's Oricon weekly album chart and the first overseas group to top the best-selling albums list in Japan. Girls' Generation is widely recognized for their talent both in Korea and abroad. Its members have appeared in various shows, dramas, radio programs, and commercials, winning the hearts of men and women of all ages.

The group’s 2009 hit single ‘Gee’ holds the record for being the longest running No.1 song on KBS Music Bank. Other hit songs include ‘Girls' Generation,’ ‘Kissing You,’ ‘Tell me your wish,’ ‘Oh!,’ ‘Run Devil Run,’ and ‘Hoot.'

- First Album Release: ‘Into the New World’ (Single album)
- Girls’ Generation’s Official Website: http://girlsgeneration.smtown.com/ (Korean)

Member Profiles

Yoona (윤아)Yoona became widely known to the Korean public, especially among those in their middle ages, after her portrayal of Jang Sae-byeok, a positive and optimistic character, in the KBS drama You are my destiny (2008). In recognition of her talent not only as a singer, but also as an actress she was awarded the ‘Best New Actress Award’ and the ‘Netizen Award’ during the 2008 KBS Drama Awards and the ‘Best New Actress Award’ and the ‘Popularity Award’ during the 2009 Baeksang Arts Awards.
* Date of Birth: May 30, 1990
* Blood Type: B
* Height: 166cm

Sooyoung (수영) Before making her debut in Girls' Generation, Sooyoung had been a member of the duo ‘Route 0’ in Japan in 2002. Thanks to her fluent Japanese, she has been instrumental in facilitating Girls' Generation’s activities in Japan. Sooyoung hosted the MBC TV children's game show Fantastic Duo and has proved to be a talented entertainer in sitcoms, movies, and fashion shows.
* Date of Birth: February 10, 1990
* Blood Type: O
* Skills/Hobbies: Japanese
* Height: 170cm

Hyoyeon (효연) An exceptional dancer, Hyoyeon takes center stage during Girls' Generation’s lively dances with her strong and powerful movements. In contrast to her intense charisma on stage, on entertainment programs she captivates fans with her bright personality and her quirky charms.
* Date of Birth: September 22, 1989
* Blood Type: AB
* Skills/Hobbies: Dance
* Height: 160cm

Yuri (유리) Yuri is known for her lively personality and her tan, healthy glow. Before her debut with Girls’ Generation, she appeared in numerous commercials, magazines, music videos, and movies. She showed her witty side as the talented host of MBC's Music Core and also took part in the KBS entertainment program Invincible Youth.
* Date of Birth: December 5, 1989
* Blood Type: O
* Skills/Hobbies: Swimming
* Height: 167cm

Taeyeon (태연) Taeyeon is often thought of as the group’s best singer, thanks to her rich and soothing voice that is as powerful as it is unique. Taeyeon participated in the making of the OST for the Korean drama Hong Gil Dong, the Hero and the song 'Can you hear me' for the drama Beethoven Virus. She was also the lead actress in the musical Midnight Sun, showing a new side of herself to her many fans. Recently, she has been gaining popularity thanks to her friendly face and personality.
* Date of Birth: March 9, 1989
* Blood Type: O
* Skills/Hobbies: Chinese
* Height: 162cm

Jessica Nicknamed 'Ice Princess' by her fans, Jessica is known for her sweet voice. Her popularity soared after she sang the well-known song ‘Naengmyung’ (냉면, cold Noodles) with comedian Park Myung-soo on the MBC show Infinite Challenge. Her singing abilities and command of the English language landed her the lead role in the musical Legally Blonde, showcasing her talent as a musical performer.
* Date of Birth: April 18, 1989
* Blood Type: B
* Skills/Hobbies: English
* Height: 163cm

Tiffany Tiffany introduces herself as 'Tiffany, brighter than a jewel.' Her smiling moon-shaped eyes and her warm personality seem to spread her perpetual good mood to everyone around her. One of the hosts of the music program Sonyeon Sonyeo Gayo Baekseo (KM), Champagne (KBS) and Show! Music Core (MBC), she is known for her singing abilities and fluent English.
* Date of Birth: August 1, 1989
* Blood Type: O
* Skills/Hobbies: English, playing flute
* Height: 162cm

Sunny Affectionately called the ‘Vitamin of Girls' Generation,’ Sunny is bright and full of charm. She is experienced in the entertainment field and has co-hosted a DMB radio program with Sungmin of Super Junior and hosted numerous TV music programs. In 2009, she starred in the KBS program Invincible Youth and won the hearts of TV viewers with her can-do spirit and adaptability in the face of rural life.
* Date of Birth: May 15, 1989
* Blood Type: B
* Skills/Hobbies: Exercise
* Height: 158cm

Seohyun (서현) The youngest of the Girls' Generation members, Seohyun has an innocent image, but demonstrates a surprising level of maturity as a singer. Seohyun starred in MBC's We got Married Season 2 (which ran for over a year) as the virtual wife of CNBlue's Jung Yong-hwa. She was also featured in TVXQ's song 'Journey' for the repackaged album, 'Keep Your Head Down.’
* Date of Birth: June 28, 1991
* Blood Type: A
* Skills/Hobbies: Playing piano
* Height: 168cm

Official Fan Club

S♡NE(SO ONE) S♡NE is the name of the Girls' Generation's official fan club. The logo S♡NE (‘SO ONE’) holds a number of meanings: ‘Girls' Generation and their fans are one,' 'Girls' Generation is one,' and 'We want Girls' Generation

Official Fan Club Website: http://fanclub.smtown.com

Discography (List of Albums)

Discography

2007	August, 2007	‘Into the New World’ (Single album)
	November, 2007	‘Girls’ Generation’ (1st album)
2009	January, 2009	‘Gee’ (Mini album)
	June, 2009	‘Genie’ (Mini album)
2010	January, 2010	‘Oh!’ (2nd album)
	March, 2010	‘Run Devil Run’ (Repackaged 2nd album)
	October, 2010	‘HOOT’ (Mini album)

Awards

Awards

2007	14th Annual Korean Entertainment Arts Awards - Best New Female Group Foreign Press Club - Foreign Promotion Award 15th Korea Most Popular Entertainer Awards - New Generation Rookie Award 22nd Golden Disk - Rookie Award, Popularity Award M.net M-Countdown #1 – ‘Into the New World’ M.net M-Countdown #1 – ‘Girls' Generation’ SBS Inkigayo Mutizen Song – ‘Girls' Generation’ (2 times)
2008	17th Seoul Music Awards - Best Newcomer Award and High1 Music Award SBS Inkigayo Mutizen Song – ‘Kissing You’ (2 times) KBS Music Bank #1 – ‘Kissing You’ M.net M-Countdown #1 – ‘Kissing You’ (2 times) M.net M-Countdown #1 – ‘Baby Baby’
2009	Korea Golden Disk Award - Digital Music Daesang Award Melon Music Awards - This Year's Artist Award, This Year's Song Award, TOP10 Bonsang Award, Mobile Music Award, Smart Radio Award, Odyssey Award Korea National Assembly Award Ceremony - This Year's Pop Music Award MBC Entertainment Awards - Special Award in musician category KBS Music Bank K-Chart #1 – ‘Gee’ (#1 for 9 consecutive weeks, a new record) Inkigayo Mutizen Song – ‘Gee’ (Triple Crown) KBS Music Bank K-Chart #1 – ‘Tell me your wish’ SBS Inkigayo Mutizen Song – ‘Tell me your wish’ (2 times)
2010	16th Korea Entertainment Art Award - Female Group Award 19th High1 Seoul Music Award - Daesang Award, Bonsang Award, Digital Music Award Korea Golden Disk Award - Daesang Award in disk category, Bonsang Award, Popularity Award KBS Music Bank - Year-end Overall K-Chart #1 Japan TBS 52nd Japan Record Award - New Artist Award KBS Music Festival - Top Korean Pop Song #1 Bugs Music Award - This Year's Song, This Year's Idol, This Year's #1 Music Video Melon Music Awards - Artist Award, Hot Trend Award, TOP 10 Korea Gallup Poll - This Year's Musician Award, Top Popular Song #1 (2 consecutive years) Korea Pop Music Award - This Year's Song Award, Netizen popularity Award 2010 Korea Advertising Awards - Top Commercial Model Award KBS Music Bank K-Chart No. 1 – ‘Oh!’ (#1 for 5 consecutive weeks) KBS Music Bank First-half Integrated K-chart #1 SBS Inkigayo Mutizen Song – ‘Oh!’ (2 times) 22nd PD Awards – Musician Award Gaon Chart – ‘Gee’ #1 2009 Digital Music Award KBS Music Bank K-Chart #1 – ‘Run Devil Run’ (2 times) SBS Inkigayo Mutizen Song – ‘Run Devil Run’ (2 times) KBS Music Bank K-Chart #1 – ‘Hoot’ (5 times) SBS Inkigayo Mutizen Song – ‘Hoot’ (3 times)
2011	20th High1 Seoul Music Award - Hallyu Special Award, Bonsang Award, Popularity Award, Daesang Award Japan Record Association, 25th Japan Golden Disk Award - This Year's New Artist Award 2nd Korea Seoul Culture & Arts Award - Daesang Award in pop music category #1 in Forbes Korea 'Korea's Power Celebrities 40’

Other Activities

Other Activities

2007	Commercial model for Elite school uniforms Appointed Volunteer Ambassador for the Seoul City Government
2008	Appointed Girls Scout Ambassador Advertising model for viliv multimedia Advertising model for Gupne Chicken Advertising model for New Ellesse Advertising model for Haitai's Sunkist Sweet Ade Advertising model for Samsung Anycall Haptic Advertising model for Nexon
2009	Korean artist invited to Thailand Papaya Music Festival Model for Samsung's ‘Hahaha Campaign’ Advertising model for Binggrae's banana-flavored milk Appointed Ambassador for the Incheon World Ceramics Festival Advertising model for Dongseo's Post Cranberry Almond Granola Advertising model for LG Electronics' CYON new chocolate phone Advertising model for Shinhan Card Advertising model for Samyang Ramyeon Girls' Generation's 1st Asia concert tour: ‘Into the New World’
2010	Advertising model for Korea' Nintendo DSi Appointed Ambassador for Incheon Airport Customs Advertising model for Caribbean Bay Water Park Launched first photo album – ‘Girls (in Tokyo)’ Advertising model for Dominos Pizza Advertising model for Samsung Electronics in China Debut showcase in Japan Model for Daum internet portal Performed at Japan Fuji TV's ‘FNS Music Festival’
2011	Asia model for worldwide Intel brand Model for Vita 500 of Gwangdong Pharmaceuticals Advertising model for Japan UHA Mikakuto e-ma Nodoame (candy) Advertising model for Woongjin's water purifier Advertising model for Lipton in Japan Launched ‘All About Girls' Generation "Paradise in Phuket"’ DVD First Japanese tour: ‘Girls' Generation Arena Tour 2011’ Second Solo Concert: ‘2011 GIRLS’ GENERATION TOUR’ in Korea Appointed Ambassador for ‘2010-2012 Visit Korea Year’

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        Information & written by KTO