Girls’ Generation lures you into their world

If anyone knows a thing or two about K-Pop, it's the folks at SM Entertainment (SME), the mega management responsible for power acts like Super Junior, TVXQ, and SHINee. For all their successful idol groups, however, SME's crown jewel is the pop girl group So Nyuh Shi Dae (SNSD), more popularly known as Girls' Generation. If "Into the New World," the group's first live double CD, now available in the Philippines via MCA Universal, is any indication, the ladies of SNSD won't be relinquishing that title anytime soon.

Like Super Junior's "Super Show," "Into the New World" is a fan-pleasing combination of all things that make Girls' Generation arguably the most successful K-pop girl group offering pop music that crosses borders and nationalities. From the opening strains of "Tell Me Your Wish (Genie)," given a fresh sound with an electric guitar-driven instrumental, to concert closer "Oh," Girls' Generation confidently and capably entertains with a carefully chosen selection of hits from its short but enviably successful catalog. The girls also sing several Korean and international hits. Taeyeon's take on the Pussycat Dolls' "Hush Hush" and Yuri's version of Ciara's "1,2 Step", featuring f(x)'s Amber, are particularly inspired. There are numerous special numbers to entertain fans and hopefully earn them new ones.

"Into the New World" allows each member of Girls' Generation the opportunity to shine vocally — except Hyoyeon, whose vocal prowess is upstaged by her dancing ability. Aside from the aforementioned standout tracks by Taeyeon and Yuri, each Girls' Generation singer gets her moment in the spotlight. Other excellent performances include that of vocalist Jessica, who gets two show-off tracks--a duet with SHINee leader Onew in the song "One Year Later," and another duet with SHINee member Key in a remake of Aqua's 90s novelty hit "Barbie Girl." The group's maknae Seohyun sparkles in a brief piano solo of Maurice Ravel's "Alborada del Gracioso," which she plays before singing her innocent girl routine to the hilt with a tone-perfect rendition of "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" from "The Sound of Music." Yoona, Tiffany, Sunny, and Sooyoung also get their own moments in the sun, and do well. A picture of Sooyoung in a sexy Santa outfit crooning the Eartha Kitt holiday chestnut "Santa Baby" is positioned enticingly in the full-color booklet that came with the double CD.
The strength of Girls' Generation, however, is in their original tracks. The girls do not deny their pop sensibilities, just as much as, say, Super Junior isn't adamant about their own bubblegum debut days. The cuteness of the music is as undeniable as their management's attempt to package the girls into G-rated icons for little girls, teenagers, parents, and probably single ahjussi's to enjoy.
One unmistakable thing listeners will notice about "Into the New World" is that the audience shrieks are of a noticeably deeper quality. Unlike previous local live releases from other SME acts, notably Super Junior's "Super Show" and TVXQ's "Mirotic," the audience at Korea's Olympic Fencing Stadium, where this concert was recorded in December 2009, seems obviously male-dominated. Whether you find this amusing or jarring, and while there is no doubt that the song selection on "Into the New World" is marketed to reach out to both men and women, it further cements Girls' Generation's special appeal--women will buy the CD for the music (and possibly the fashion) while men will buy the CD for the music (and possibly the photos). Either way, you can hear the sound of ka-ching! ka-ching!
"Into the New World" is a carnival of feel-good pop songs from a concert recorded in December 2009. The audio CDs make one wonder what the girls' concert actually looks like, live. As disconcerting as it may be to hear their legions of male fans scream "Saranghae" in full testosterone-driven unison, there are many, many moments when the listener is overcome by a strange curiosity as to what is happening onstage to make the audience react the way it does. Girls' Generation has indeed made a name for itself by releasing irresistible pop songs with an edge.

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