This past May 20th, 2012, Girls’ Generation joined their fellow SM Entertainment artists at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California for “SMTOWN Live World Tour III”. The concert itself was branded as part of MBC’s “Korean Music Wave LA” series, which led to the following day’s “Korean Music Wave in Google”. For Anaheim’s “SMTOWN Live World Tour III” Taeyeon, Tiffany, and Leeteuk from Super Junior served as MCs, while Taeyeon and Tiffany emceed “Korean Music Wave in Google”. “SMTOWN Live World Tour III” featured Girls’ Generation alongside Super Junior, SHINee, f(x), BoA, TVXQ, EXO-K, and EXO-M. Unfortunately, both Yuri and Yoona were unable to attend both concerts because of filming responsibilities for their respective dramas.
Before the concert, the girls arrived in California in two separate groups. Jessica, Sunny, and Sooyoung arrived first on Friday, May 18th, followed by Taeyeon, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, and Seohyun on Saturday, May 19th. Large groups of fans greeted the girls at Los Angeles International Airport on both days. Soshified members who were at the airport proudly held up a Soshified banner to display their support for the girls. The Soshified banner also made an appearance on concert day when Soshified staff members and volunteers handed out the foam heart, t-shirt, and lightstick bundles.
Soshified also had the privilege of attending the pre-concert press conference. Jessica and Sooyoung represented Girls’ Generation at the press conference, and when asked about the support they’ve received during their American promotions, Sooyoung answered in English that they were very happy to perform in America. Also, Jessica was asked about any plans for a Girls’ Generation solo concert tour in America and about her recent appearance on ESPN. Jessica said the girls were focused on the SMTOWN concert and they weren’t thinking about any sort of solo tour just yet, that she had fun throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game, and that she hoped her fans were not disappointed. The press conference video can be seen below.
On concert day, Taeyeon started Girls’ Generation’s set off with a bang, as she took center stage alone to sing “Devil’s Cry”. Afterwards, she was joined by her fellow members to perform “Run Devil Run”. Once “Run Devil Run” was finished, the girls stopped to do a brief introduction and greet the crowd. Before the concert began, Soshified members walked through every floor section and handed out printed flyers which read “Happy Birthday 써니 and 윤아” to celebrate Sunny and Yoona’s birthdays, which are both in May. Everyone in attendance, SONEs and fans of the other SM groups alike, was very eager and happy to help, and once Girls’ Generation began their introduction, the birthday flyers were held up for girls to see. The flyers worked perfectly, as Sunny flashed a huge smile and thanked the crowd for the birthday message. Tiffany also brought up the fact that Yuri and Yoona were unable to attend, and said that the other members felt nervous because they weren’t performing with all nine members. She then asked the audience to cheer even louder in order to make up for Yuri and Yoona’s absence. After the girls completed their introduction, they performed the concert remix version of “Genie”, which featured Tiffany’s fierce rap break. The girls then ended their first appearance on stage with a performance of “Kissing You”, during which they all split up and walked around all the different areas of the stage in order to greet all of the fans.
Later, Jessica continued the tradition from previous SMTOWN concerts as she performed a duet with her sister Krystal of f(x). In previous SMTOWN concerts, the Jung sisters performed “Tik Tok” by Ke$ha, but for this newest concert series they covered another hit pop song with Katy Perry’s “California Gurls”. The next Girls’ Generation performance was one that the crowd had been highly anticipating, as Taeyeon, Tiffany, and Seohyun took the stage to sing “Twinkle”. After several songs by Super Junior, TVXQ, and BoA, Girls’ Generation returned to the stage to energize the crowd with “Himnae!” and “Gee”. The girls performed both of those songs in the now familiar white T-shirt and jeans ensemble. The last time that the girls had the spotlight to themselves was for their performance of “The Boys”. They returned at the end to join their fellow SM artists in order to say goodbye to all the fans in attendance.
While SONEs were disappointed that Yuri and Yoona were unable to attend, there was still a strong feeling of excitement and pride. The girls continued to exhibit their strong presence in the United States, as the “GG” fanchants for “The Boys” roared throughout the Honda Center and again the following day at the Shoreline Ampitheatre. Fans were proud of Taeyeon and Tiffany for their roles as MCs for Anaheim’s “SMTOWN Live World Tour III” and “Korean Music Wave in Google”, as well as all of the girls for their strong performances. Ultimately, it was a wild and memorable weekend in California filled with emotions for Girls’ Generation and their fans.
Written by: michaelroni@soshified
Contributors: bhost909@soshified, SNSDave@soshified, MoonSoshi9@soshified
Images by: michaelroni@soshified, MoonSoshi9@soshified, KuruCy@soshified, RageX@soshified
Video source: [email protected]
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soshi fighting!
I want to watch an SMTown concert. Too bad YoonYul weren’t present. Still, it was one heck of a concert.
I flew over 2000 miles and drove over 100 miles with my family to see our first ever SMTown World Tour concert. We drove pass Diamond Bar and my cousin and I were totally spazzing about that, LOL. This concert was definitely worth it and I would watch it again. I felt like I didn’t see enough of SNSD and this experience makes me want to watch their solo concert even more. Hopefully they do have one in the States or I wouldn’t mind flying to Korea just to watch it. Gotta watch all nine because with seven they are just incomplete.
Thank you for the article and the great pics. It definitely was an unforgettable weekend and I’m still suffering from withdrawals.
Let’s go, Soshi! Let’s go!
First – Sooyoung’s English is INCREDIBLE! She has almost no accent now and it didnt seem like she had to think hard on what she was going to say which is a real testament! I am so proud!
Second- Sounds like SMTOWN was another great performance and I am very happy that the girls received so much love at both places. I wish I could have attended but because I had no money, I could not. But I WILL attend the next thing…I have to.
I was so glad to be able to go, even though I didn’t get to meet that many sones. It was my first time (hopefully of many more) seeing the girls in person, and it was definitely life-changing experience. They were all so pretty and cute in real life, and seeing them so friendly with the fans made me just wanna be best friends with all of them. They were all so hyper during their introduction, and I was so happy when Sunny saw our signs and thanked us. And Taeyeon’s voice during Devil’s Cry…wow it just gave me chills. I’m already saving up for the next SM Town. This time I was in section 223, so next time I hope to get a floor seat so I can be even closer to them and sit with all you guys from Soshified!
thank you very much for this article! the whole concert went
by so quickly, it seemed, that I barely had time to remember
anything. this article helps to refresh my mind! it was my third
concert, and as amazing as the first two! these girls will never
get old. how can love and positivity get old? it can’t. i am excited
for next time when hopefully all nine are there!!!
and sorry about the Gee and California Girls pictures…that hand
that is in the way…i think that’s me :-)
I really hope they come to America for a solo tour (and hopefully perform in CA again so I can see them face-to-face)…! :D
This is one of those concerts (first time for me) that was worth attending (even if I had finals conflicting on the same week as my finals, but oh well)….!! I hope SNSD do very well successfully in the very near future (and to another near 5 years to them too)…
the photos are beautiful! good job to both soshified and the girls <3
great job SM Entertainment. the new concept and several new perfomance are really great.
waaa, soshi look so pretty even just with white t-shirt and jeans. haha.
well, they always will :)
This was the best night of my life. Whenever SNSD came out on stage I stood up, sang, danced, did the fan chants, and waved my light stick. I didn’t care who was looking at me. SNSD doesn’t come to LA or the US often so I wanted to go ALL OUT. I do wish that Yuri and Yoona came, but they were still AMAZING. And it gives me another reason to go to another SM Town concert or even just a Girls’ Generation concert if they do have a US tour. It amazes me how much bigger they are getting. More and more people world wide are recognizing them. They took over Asia, Europe, and they WILL spread the GG virus in the US.
SNSD, I know you’re probably never going to read this but your SONES love you so much. We love you, care for you, and support you. You gave up SO much to live out your dreams and make us happy. The least we can do is listen to your music, spread it, and support you guys 110% in whatever you do. I love you guys so much and thank you for coming to LA. That concert was the best night of my life. SNSD FIGHTING! <3
omg the fan chants that’s right! I kept waiting for them to do Oh! so we could all do that epic fan chant at the end, but they didn’t T.T It was still great hearing everyone (SONEs or not) shout “GG!” during The Boys.
This was my first time going to a SMTown concert and it was such an amazing experience!!! It was unfortunate that Yoona and Yuri were’t able to attend. =[ But the girls performed their best nonetheless. I honestly lost it when I saw them on stage. LOL Ahh there were so many people from soshified at the concert. I wished I would’ve talked to them. Hopefully I’ll get to go to another concert and meet some of you guys! ^^
I don’t understand why fans go to the airport to see the girls..I can understand wanting a chance to see them up close..But at an airport? Geez-give the girls some privacy and comfort. I have not gotten the impression that they are thrilled to be bombarded while traveling, I’m sure they are tired and just want to relax, but can’t bcuz of all the fans pressing their faces at them. Besides..How on earth do the fans even know when their flights are???? I think that confuses me the most, lol.
I think I’m going to go watch the Katy Perry video of Krystal and Jessica, now. I bet it’s good! Those outfits are cute :D I think it’s a good idea for the sisters to perform together. Are there any other sets of siblings in the SM company? Except one group that has brothers in it(don’t remember which). But I mean that are in two different groups like Krystal and Jessica are.
Sure does look odd having seven members on stage instead of nine, looks so much smaller!! :P
I wish i could join in Soshi’s concert. They’re really awesome. Taeyeon is the best
wow! that was awesome.. again i envy you people haha! just a bummer that yoonyul were not there waaaah!
i hope they comback soon, all 9 of ’em :)
God, I want them to come back to NYC so badly. I need to see the girls live…all 9 of them! :D Hopefully next year it will happen.
Daebak!!!
Would like to give a Big Claps for SM!!!!
SM’s way for do their promotion is the best from all management….
I love it when they wear casual fits….
“White T-shirt & Jeans”!!!!
Best casual Fits!!!
LOL!!!!
SM Fighting!!!!
Although Yuri and Yoona had to stay home and film their dramas, the other seven girls did an amazing job with their performances for both concerts. And I know that all of the American SONEs will be happy when they finally see Yuri and Yoona back with the other girls in time for their American debut next year. So that absolutely means Girls’ Generation will be back in the United States to once again have a lot of fun with all of their American fans. And oh yeah, Jessica and sister Krystal did an awesome job with their cover of Katy Perry’s “California Gurls”
I so thought Yuri and Yoona would never miss SMTOWN.. :[
a bit sad though because they are not complete… ^^
hwaiting ! soshi jjang ♥
It’s really sad my 2 bias (Yoona & Yuri) can’t attend the SM tour concert because their drama schedules, but its great to see all of 7 of you come to the first stage.
Soshi .. Soshi .. HWAITING !!
Attending both SMTown LA and Korean Music Wave to support Girls’ Generation was such a life changing experience. Didn’t sleep at all because after the concert, I had to drive back to the bay area for school from 7am til 1pm then go wait in line for Music Wave. Did my best to show love and support for the girls, but my area had absolutely no Sones at all in LA. Only me and 2 other friends were in our pink shirts. Our area was in the 209 N row seats 11-14. The only thing that benefited for us was that Sooyoung, Taeyeon, and Sunny were all able to see us and point & wave directly as us since we were the only ones wearing pink :)
Hope one day I’ll be able to attend one….thanks for a good article^^
i could sadly only watch the google concert D: but i was surprised as to how powerful their performance was and how much the fans cheered even though yoona and yuri weren’t there. they gave off such a good performance :3 and i bet it was the same for the sm town concert xD
snsd fighting!!
This was such a great article. As I read, I felt as if I relived the experience! I know I’ve said this before, but It was great to meet new friends and put faces on Twitter usernames. I also didn’t realize that I’d awkwardly be in one of the photos, hehe. This was definitely a new and wonderful experience that rekindled my inner fanboy.
Soshi fighting!