For this month’s review, MoonSoshi9 and letaengbutt will be taking a look at the “Girls’ Generation First Japan Tour” blu-ray edition. This blu-ray version of the tour was released together with a DVD version, and you can still purchase them here.
Girls’ Generation First Japan Tour Blu-ray [Limited Edition]
-OPENING-
1. GENIE
2. you-aholic
3. MR.TAXI
4. I’m In Love With The HERO
-MOVIE-
5. Let It Rain
-Introduction-
6. Snowy Wish
7. ETUDE
8. Kissing You
9. Oh!
-MOVIE-
10. THE GREAT ESCAPE
-MOVIE-
11. BAD GIRL
-MOVIE-
12. Run Devil Run Intro (Taeyeon – Devil’s Cry)
13. Run Devil Run
14. Beautiful Stranger
15. HOOT
16. Complete
17. My child
-MOVIE-
18. Naengmyun
19. HaHaHa Song
20. Gee
21. BORN TO BE A LADY
-ENCORE-
22. Into The New World
23. Way To Go (Himnae)
24. It’s Fantastic!
letaengbutt:
Let’s start off with the packaging. I love how the outer casing of this box is so lace-inspired and intricately designed, yet as you start taking everything out one by one, the designs gradually become simpler. The group pose from the start of “GENIE” makes a really good cover in my opinion, and I especially love how the main theme of the packaging is black and gold. This edition of the blu-ray comes with a photo book packed with photos from the performances as well as backstage photos, and there are also ten gold pins that come neatly placed in a black box.
Moving on to the performances.
I feel that as compared to the “Girls’ Generation: The First Asia Tour Into The New World”, this concert far outdid the first tour. It might just be the fact that I think the first Japanese album is Girls’ Generation’s best album as of yet, but I enjoyed this concert a lot more. Even though I gave high ratings for the Into The New World First Asia Tour, there are certain elements from this concert which I think are much better than the previous tour. For example, the special stages in “Let It Rain”, “Beautiful Stranger”, “I’m In Love With The HERO”, and others make it feel more like a Girls’ Generation concert than just a normal live performance by the girls. While the first tour did have several special stages, I think that because of the experience that came with the first tour, the special dance breaks and such were pulled off a lot smoother in this concert.
Out of all the performances, those that deserve special attention would definitely be “Beautiful Stranger”, “Devil’s Cry” and “My Child”. These stages were fantastic, and I especially love the short but incredibly sexy remix during “Beautiful Stranger”. The whole concept of the girls hitting the plastic screens with batons was absolutely mind-blowing. Taeyeon’s “Devil’s Cry” performance also nearly sent my heart into overdrive with her amazing vocals. Who ever knew Taeyeon could sing rock like that? As for “My Child”, the girls’ cute marching band outfits led by Captain Taeng and the Girls’ Generation boat was so adorable. Even though I love the strong and charismatic side of Girls’ Generation, this cute and childish side of the girls sent me squealing in no time.
All in all, I’d say this is a must-have for all fans, though it is a little pricey. I was slightly disappointed that the solo stages weren’t included in this concert, but I suppose the suspense of having it in the second tour DVD is what keeps the fans coming back for more.
Packaging: 8/9
Songs: 8/9
Overall: 8/9
MoonSoshi9:
I’m not much of a fan of the gold pins that come with the blu-ray, but they are well made and classy looking. The best part of the packaging is definitely the photo book. It’s not big, but there are some great pictures from the tour. The backstage pictures are especially cool since it is something that is rarely seen. The limited edition of the blu-ray also has a special movie of the girls that was used during the concert.
The First Japan Tour starts off with a bang with one of the best songs in the concert. The opening performance of a remix version of “GENIE” starts with sexy looks and a slowed down beat. Tiffany turns into Rapper Hwang before she yells out her iconic line, tailored for this audience: “Tokyo, put it back on!” Fireworks explode, and by the time the lights are killed with the girls in the ending pose for “GENIE”, you have to pick your jaw up off the floor.
From the precision of “Mr. Taxi”‘s choreography and the high flying metal version of “Hoot”, to the cute antics during “Snowy Wish” and emotional moments during “Complete”, the entire concert shows off every side of Girls’ Generation.
Unfortunately, none of the English songs are included, which means we don’t get to see “Lady Marmalade”, “Danny Boy”, or any of the solos except for “Devil’s Cry”. The lack of solos is lamentable, but “Devil’s Cry” pretty much makes it all OK. It is perhaps my favorite performance of the concert, and the cinematic editing makes Taeyeon’s soaring notes and rocker flair even more epic.
While the solos aren’t included, it is actually nice that we can watch the concert without waiting a year and a half like the First Asia Tour DVD. The blu-ray has amazing HD quality and surround sound that make parts of the concert feel like you are there amongst the SONEs in the pink ocean. In other parts, the camera work and editing are designed to give a more cinematic feel. The First Japan Tour blu-ray has a rather steep cost, and even though some performances are missing, the visual and audio quality is something you must experience. Once you see the diamond open at the beginning, you know it’s worth it.
Packaging: 6/9
Songs: 8/9
Overall: 8/9
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I purchased the blu-ray edition, I got in too late to get the special copy but as I understand, the discs are the same. Like others, I lament the missing solos and songs, but have seen fan cam copies on youtube. I don’t know why they left out those songs. the concert as put together DOES move along excellently; much better than the 1st Asia tour concert copy. But it would have been nice if the missing performances were included, perhaps as bonus tracks, expecially considering the cost of the blu-ray and dvd copies. Hey, SME, maybe you can let the professionally recorded solos, missing parts, be viewed on youtube? It would be a nice thanks to those of of us who have purchased so many of the products so far, and may get more fans of the group for the future know how talented the girls are, and how well they can perform in different styles of music.
Anyway, thanks to everyone involved in making the concert recording products. A+ grade. Best concert disk I own, and I’ve watched it more times in the few months I’ve owned it than any other concert recording (and I own quite a few).
Now, time to start work on the 2nd Asia tour concert disks. Keep up the good work.
it would be awesome if they include solo performances!
I recently bought the Special Edition Blu-Ray of this brand new from ebay (was REALLY expensive kekeke) and I watched it as soon as it got here. It was the best purchase I have ever made. All of the performances were absolutely terrific. I could watch this video over and over again. As a matter of fact, I think it’s the only concert video I have bought that actually captured me and made me feel really excited and it was like I was there somehow ^^ Definitely worth the buy. Also, Taeyeon’s “Devil’s Cry” was absolutely amazing!!!!! :)
is there anyone knows where do we could get the solo performances videos instead of fancams in youtube?
i’m dying to watch taeyeon+tiffany’s lady marmalade……
their cuteness are an evidence of insanity of beauty…
anyway, i’m seriously asking it, please reply to this article comment.
i’ll looking forward for it…
gamsahamidang….
Hello rajagombal. Unfortunately as far as I know the only solo performances that can be found are the fancams. I own this Blu-Ray and the only solo performance from it is Taeyeon’s “Devil’s Cry.”
Like most of you, my only complaint is the lack of the solo stages :( I was pretty upset with that
And videos SM just uploaded Jap music videos of some of their hit songs.
and it was.. Beautiful T___________T
I watched this tour a while ago on a 720p version, and yes, I am surprised that individual stage performances were not included.
SNSD always perform to near perfection in my book, which is a good reason why they’re at the top. Though I honestly feel that the New World Asian tour is slightly better. I’m not sure how long are those special stages, but the New World 2 DVD set is a fairly long show with multiple encore performances and very nice tributes to classics, and mostly, many of them sang in English, which shows that the girls worked really hard. Then of course, they sang in Japanese in this one… but somehow TNW stood out in my head more.. I was also more theatrical and the camera work and strage design itself seemed to cater better to their performances and routines.
Either way, good job with this one. SNSD definitely have stage presence, whether its the bubblegum pop or the more mature sexy pop.. it’s all good.
I saw the whole concert on Youtube and I loved it. It looks so good in HD…I almost felt like I was at the show myself! Taeyeon’s song Devil’s Cry going into Run Devil Run was pure genius. I’m obsessed over the Beautiful Stranger performance that the girls did and I like the rock version of Hoot as well. :D
I purchased the regular blu ray version recently (the Limited Edition is sold out) and love it. There is just one issue I have with it and that is that the camera bounces between shots way too quickly IMO. You don’t have time to concentrate on what you’re seeing before it cuts to a different camera or angle.
Other than that, as the last song says, it’s fantastic. :)
i wish i had this! simply because it’s a girls’ generation merch^^ i will probably buy the blu-ray edition even though i don’t have a blu-ray player, but i would buy a blu-ray player for the girls and watch them in higher quality xD
This is, unfortunately, something I probably will not be buying since the DVD version is only for Region 2. For either one I’d need to pay extra for a compatible player. But I am glad that it is worth buying for those that got it or want it!
This blu-ray kicked so much butt. I got goosebumps watching TaeYeon sing “Devil’s Cry.”
I think I’ll have to pull this out soon and watch it again. It was great.
yeaaaah…. this japan tour performance in this DVD is reaaaaally DAEBAK !!!!!
can watch it many many many many many times….. xD
i am going to agree with both of you because this looks amazing!
i haven’t seen it yet, i will be shortly, but i have the blu-ray and
am ready to go. however, i don’t know how helpful my analysis
will be just going off gut instinct. i am going to focus more on
letaengbutt’s analysis more though because it seems to pinpoint
a few things that i expect to be amazing about the experience.
i find your jumping from beautiful stranger and devil’s cry to my
child quite interesting. i don’t know if you could jump further
from one end of the spectrum to the other, but you are right.
i prefer mature, sexy soshi over poppy, cute soshi, but you’d have
to have a heart of ice not to love that fuzzy, cuddly performance.
as for beautiful stranger, my favorite song on my favorite album,
i cannot wait to watch the concert version. your description
already has me drooling. and this is not helped by the epicness
that will be devil’s cry. i love rock, i love soshi, these two songs
are going to be amazing!!!
This is AWESOME! May I know what’s the price for it in Malaysia ? :D THANKS!
I liked that the Concert was over 2 hours of solid footage but I would have loved it if apart from Devil’s Cry they included all the other single performances from the Japan Concert… Oh well, sometimes we just can’t have it all… :|
I loved the concert, but frankly the editing was absolutely awful. I don’t know if I’m just being a snob because I’m an Editor, but it was so choppy that you couldn’t easily watch it. Especially during Run Devil Run, Beautiful Stranger, and Hoot. Just terrible
I always look forward to your reviews! The bluray version is too pricey for me, although I’m sure it’s a whole lot better. Then again, I don’t have bluray player to enjoy it… plus the fact that there weren’t any solo stages included, otherwise, it’d have been a 9/9 item
I own the blu-ray edition and I have to say to all DVD owners: change to this version! It is really worth it and the quality is amazing, definitely worth the extra money. And then, see it in the biggest screen you can and you will be awed.
It is a more mature concert than the first tour: the songs, the stages and the girls performances are great.
The sound mix is better also than the first concert and is really a pity the solo stages are not present, probably to avoid nosebleeding during a HD Taeny Marmelade performance. Another small complain is the sometimes the very fast editing that does not always allows to see the whole 9 performing, focusing too much in solo shots.
Other than this, even if a little pricey (I’m looking at you, BR special edition disk!), it definitely worth the money.
I honestly found it ridiculous that the DVD producers would charge so much for this DVD AND NOT INCLUDE THE INDIVIDUAL STAGES!!! Heck, they didn’t include all the songs! I was so looking forward to the individual stages.
But… being the sucker that I am, I still bought the DVD, although I just bought the regular one. Had they included every performance, I would have reconsidered and bought the special edition one instead. Evenso, I’m not regretting that I got the DVD – heck, I preordered it a month in advance.
It was a good thing that I got to see SNSD in Bangkok, though. At least I got to enjoy all the performances live and alive.
Nevertheless, I agree that this is still jaw-dropping. It’s a far cry from their 1st DVD – the ITNW tour. I am kind of hoping they would release another DVD for the 2nd Asia Tour (THAT WOULD BE COMPLETE – and if possible, including The Boys) – although most of the performances are the same.
Thank you for writing this review which made me even convinced that I never regret buying this album =)
Thank you for the reviews!
On a side note, I felt kind of cheated when they didn’t include the special stages, since I was dying to enjoy the solo stage again after the girls’ concert in Singapore. oh well.