2011: Mr. Taxi, Girls' Generation and The Boys
Hoot was certified Gold by Record Industry Association of Japan.[66] At the start of 2011, the group prepared a new song titled "Visual Dreams", as part of their endorsement efforts forIntel's Core Processors throughout Asia.[67] The music video for "Visual Dreams" was released on January 17, and various promotional campaigns included new music, 2D and 3D music videos, internet sites, photos, and PC store displays.[68]
In latter half of January, it was announced that the group would be returning to the Japanese market through the release of their Japanese version of "Run Devil Run" as a digital single, scheduled for release on January 25, 2011.[69]
On January 20, at the 20th Seoul Music Awards, the group received an Artist of the Year award, a Bonsang prize, a Popularity award and a Hallyu award. In doing this, Girls' Generation became one of four artists in Korean music history (the others being Seo Taiji, Jo Sungmo and H.O.T.) to win two consecutive Artist of the Year awards at the Seoul Music Awards. The group also became the only girl group in history to receive Artist of the Year awards for Seoul Music Awards, and Melon Music Awards for two consecutive years. They also received two Daesang Awards at the Golden Disk Ceremony, one Digital Daesang (2009), and one Physical Album Sales Daesang (2010).[70]
On March 8, SM Japan updated their official website with information about the release of Girls' Generation third Japanese single and their first Japanese tour. It was stated that on April 27, Girls' Generation would be releasing their third Japanese single MR. TAXI / Run Devil Run, which would include their first original Japanese song "MR. TAXI".[71] and the Japanese remake of their song "Run Devil Run". A portion of the revenue from their Japanese single MR. TAXI / Run Devil Run would be donated to Japan's Red Cross in order to provide assistance to the victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[72] On April 9, the Japanese music video of "Run Devil Run" was released.
It was also announced that the group would embark on a Japan-wide tour titled The 1st Japan Arena Tour which would start at Osaka on May 31. A total of 14 concerts in 6 cities would be held over a period of one and a half months.[73]
At the 2011 MTV Video Music Aid Japan (VMAJ), Girls' Generation were nominated for three awards under the "Best Group Video", "Best Video Of The Year" and "Best Karaokee! Song" categories.[74] Originally titled MTV Video Music Awards Japan (VMAJ), the title of the event was changed to change the focus of the show to aid Japan, with donations tied to the amount of votes for artistes.[75] Girls' Generation performed two songs at the event, joining the star-studded line up alongside world-famous artistes such as Tokio Hotel, Lady Gaga andAKB48.[76] On July 2, it was announced that they had come out top in two out of the three nominated categories, winning "Best Group Video" and "Best Karaokee! Song" for the Japanese version of "GENIE".[77]
On June 1, 2011, they released their first full-length original Japanese studio album Girls' Generation. This album contains 12 songs including the singles "Genie", “Gee”, "Run Devil Run", "MR. TAXI" and a Japanese version of "Hoot".[78]
Girls' Generation was certified Platinum (250,000) by Recording Industry Association of Japan on June 14, 2011, making it the fifth Korean artist's album to do so after S.E.S, BoA, TVXQ and KARA. Girls' Generation then was certified Double Platinum (500,000) on July 8, 2011, a first for any Korean girl group.[79][80] The group also set a record for "recording the highest sales of the FIRST album as a foreign artist in Japan. Girls' Generation is the fourth artist to obtained number 1 spot on weekly album chart after BoA, TVXQ and Big Bang,"[81]and became the third Korean artist to surpass the 500,000 mark after BoA and TVXQ. As a result of their rising popularity, Girls' Generation became the highest earning foreign artist in Japan for the first half of 2011.[82] Girls' Generation has sold over 629,436 copies, making it the highest selling album by a Korean group in Oricon history, surpassing a record previously held by labelmate TVXQ, and now holds the 5th spot for best selling albums of 2011 in Japan according to Oricon.
Recently, the group has been in the midst of their second Asia Tour. They held their first two concerts in Seoul on July 23 and 24, followed by concerts in Taipei, Taiwan on September 9, 10 and 11, and then continue onto Singapore on December 9.
On August 21, 2011 The 1st Asia Tour: Into The New World DVD reached the No.1 spot in Japan's "Tower Records" being the highest selling DVD between August 15-21st.[83]
Girls' Generation was designated by SISA Press as "The Most Influential Entertainers in Korea" for the year 2011, after having placed 6th in the 2010 ranking.[84]
On September 26, 2011 the first teaser featuring Taeyeon was released for the impending comeback with the group's 3rd Korean album The Boys, followed by Sunny & Hyoyeon on September 27; Jessica, Sooyoung and Tiffany on September 28 and Yoona, Yuri, and Seohyun on September 29. The first image teaser for "The Boys" was released on the midnight of October 1, 2011 through SM Entertainment's YouTube channel.[85]
Girls’ Generation were originally scheduled to release the third album The Boys through iTunes worldwide and through various music websites in Asia including Korea on October 5, 2011. As of September 30, the album's release has been postponed so as to bring about a worldwide album release, with details to be released as soon as they are confirmed.[86][87] On October 10, it was confirmed that the album will be released on October 19, 2011 and comeback on KBS Music Bank on October 21, 2011.[88]
Setting their sights on the international market, Girls' Generation signed a contract with Universal Music Group under Interscope Records in 2011.[89]
The title track, "The Boys", was released in both Korean and English. It was written, composed and arranged by Teddy Riley, who was Michael Jackson’s producer.[90]
After a few minutes after "The Boys" released, Girls' Generation cleared (across the air) the "all-kill" status on many online music charts with their single "The Boys", on top.
On 21 October, Girls' Generation began their promotion of "The Boys" on KBS Music Bank with "The Boys" and "MR. Taxi (Korean ver.)". It was confirmed that Girls' Generation will release "The Boys" maxi single (mini album) internationally on November 29, but the release date has been postponed to 25th, December 2011.
The following week of their comeback performance, they won their first number ones for "The Boys" on M! Countdown on October 27 and their second on KBS Music Bank on October 28 and third on SBS Inkigayo on October 30, making an 'All-Kill' on Music Program charts.
The Boys sold 227,994 albums just within 12 days in South Korea alone, becoming the best selling album in October and third best selling album thus far in 2011.[91]
It was announced on November 11 that Girls’ Generation would be releasing their first official Japanese photobook titled “Holiday” also the first Japanese concert tour will be available on blu-ray/DVD, which goes on sale December 14.[92]
Girls' Generation's first Japanese photograph collection book ‘Holiday‘ seized the #1 spot on the book sales ranking chart under the photograph collection category. The photos were a collection of the girls enjoying leisurely time off, and it sold 17,000 copies the first week after going on sale on November 30. In overall book sales ranks, it ranked at #18.[93] The Girls will participate in 2011 Winter SMTown – The Warmest Gift album with the song "Diamond". The album will be released on December 13, 2011.[94]
By the end of November, The Boys sold over 293,042 copies in South Korea, becoming the best selling album in November and second best selling album thus far in 2011.[95]
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