Girls’ Generation, more commonly referred to as SNSD (an acronym for their Korean name So Nyuh Shi Dae), is one of the top female pop groups in South Korea. However, their international fan base is so diverse that the popular girl group is even known around the St. John’s campus by fans of all ethnicities.
SNSD has quickly climbed the ranks to becoming the top girl group all around Asia. The Korean pop group has recently expanded its musical influence to ?other countries like Japan. The girls diligently learned Japanese and debuted in the ?Japanese music industry, performing their hit songs in the foreign language.
SNSD has also toured internationally, even coming to America for the first time since they debuted in the music scene three years ago. They, along with other Korean pop groups, traveled to Los Angeles on Sept. 4 of this year to perform at the Staples Center for thousands of American fans who traveled from all over the country to support them. The success of their first U.S. concert means it is likely that SNSD will return to America in the near future with hopes of breaking into the American music industry. Two of their members previously lived in America and both speak English fluently.
Like other Asian pop groups, SNSD consists of many members. All nine girls who make up the group contribute to the band’s popularity. While many girl groups split up as members vie for the solo spotlight, SNSD continues to share an extremely tight knit bond, always supporting each other. Each girl brings a different charm that adds to the overall dynamic of the group.
Along with the diversity of their members, SNSD performs different styles of ?music. When SNSD first debuted in Korea they were just like many other girl groups of that time with the characteristic fresh-faced innocence, singing bubblegum pop songs with lollipop props in their choreography.
In 2008, the girls were catapulted into instant stardom with their hit “Gee,” which brought the group international attention. In 2009, their song “Tell Me Your Wish,” showed a more mature side of the girls, as a powerful song that showcased their singing talents yet still had that hypnotizing choreography SNSD is known for. Since then they have fluctuated between cute song concepts like “Oh!” or darker themes such as “Run Devil Run.” Fortunately, the girls of SNSD sucessfully pull off any style.
If their earlier songs are too tooth-achingly sweet for you, leader Taeyeon Kim has assured fans that they hope their music continues to grow with them as they get older.
Their new mini-album, Hoot, solidifies her statement with the five songs that show a more mature side of the group and showcases their voices better than a cutesy pop sound could.
The title track, “Hoot,” fits perfectly as their comeback single to Korea after being in Japan for several months. The retro-inspired song has a fun, energetic beat with a catchy chorus that makes you forget about 007 and instead has listeners favoring their “009” concept, which is paired with a dance, essential for any hit SNSD song.
One of the softer songs of the album, “Mistake,” is written by SNSD member Yuri Kwon. This is the first song any member has ever written, which exemplifies how serious the girls are in taking control of their own music. However, the most interesting and enjoyable part of this song is the fact that it allows more underused members to shine and show off their voices through a ballad.
“Snowy Wish” does its job by instantly setting the feeling of the approaching winter while listening to it. In “Wake Up,” SNSD brings a more sultry sound.
All one has to do is give SNSD a chance by listening to them, and Hoot is the perfect album to start. Even if the language is undecipherable (aside from a few select English words occasionally thrown in the songs), it’s difficult not to fall for all nine girls’ charismatic appeal, their fun catchy songs and hypnotizing dances.
