The source only provided this picture.

A few days ago, Zhi-Xiang Luo, Louis Koo, Lee Jun Huang Xiaoming and others appeared together in Beijing for Pepsi’s Asian entertainment based star brand endorsement which recently welcomed a new member — Super Junior M (herinafter referred to as SJM) which has a combination of popular South Korean members and Chinese members.

In the hot Beijing weather, the stars engaged in water gun battles on stage with many crazy fans watching. The stars were at a conference together and the organizers decided to arrange a “water war” to ease the summer heat under the hot sun. As the director was saying something with SJM, a couple of the stars grabbed water guns and doused the 7 dashing guys with water. Unable to stop once it has started, the “water battle” continued as SJM returned several counterattacks. Many excited fans were also at the scene. Afterwards, the stars went on to recieve the media.

Osotspa considers output expansion by up to 40%

Osotspa Co, a leading consumer-product conglomerate, is considering expanding the production capacity of its 12 Plus personal-care brand over the next one to three years if Asian economies recover.

Marketing director Vichien Santimahakullert said sales of its 12 Plus personal-care products had grown continuously over the past few years after it hired members of Super Junior, a famous Korean boy brand, to be its presenters.

Therefore, Osotspa will spend 100 million baht to expand by 30% to 40% the production capacity of all 12 Plus product categories at its factory in the Lat Krabang Industrial Estate.

The additional capacity will serve both domestic and overseas markets.

“We have found that using Korean superstars as our presenters is very successful. Not only our sales increase, the brand image also improves to the international level. Therefore, it is possible to sign another contract with this Korean boy brand to promote our products overseas,” Mr Vichien said.

He said that based on the company’s survey, Korean superstars ranked first in terms of popularity among Thai teenagers, followed by Japanese and Thai performers. “We believe the popularity of Korean stars will continue among Thai teens.”

When the Korean boy band was hired to promote 12 Plus cooling powder and cologne for the first time two years ago, the local market share of the powder climbed to second from third or fourth place. “We also become the market leader in cologne,” Mr Vichien said.

Even in light of the current economic uncertainties, the company has allocated 500 million baht to promote all 12 Plus personal-care products this year. Of the total, about 150 million will be used to promote its new 12 Plus Mini Stick deodorant this year. The company will hire Thai actress Patchrapa ‘Um’ Chaichea, as well as Korean superstars from Super Junior including Choi Siwon, Kim Ryeo Wook, Han Geng and Kyu Hyun to become the new presenters.

Currently, the local deodorant market is worth about 1.58 billion baht. Of the total, about 1.05 billion baht is roll-on deodorant, 461 million baht comes fro the stick format and 73 million from spray deodorants.

With the launch of 12 Plus Mini Stick, the company expects to increase its market share to 16-17% from 10% currently.

Credit/Original Source: Bangkok Post Online

May is a period where there are a lot of university festivals held in Korea. Thus, www.bugs.co.kr (the largest music site in Korea) held a poll on May 21st to know list of artists whom the students most want to be invited at their festivals.

The Most Wanted Artists To Be Invited to University Festival

1. SNSD

“even if they’re only sitting still, SoShi will be still a big show!”

2. TVXQ

“TVXQ has been active in international activities. Currently TVXQ is advancing a live tour in Japan until early in July and it’s expected that the tour will be sold out.”

3. Super Junior

Occupied by a group of 13 members. Super Junior’s songs “Sorry, Sorry” and “It’s You” also gained good responses in bugs site as it’s placed at 5th on charts.

SM Entertainment’s groups are sweeping 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, showing its scary power in music industry.

4. Big Bang

Big Bang whose rating rose in a short time. Netizens said, “It’s an opportunity for Big Bang. Recently they’re popular as a group and not idol.”

5. Kim Hyeon-joong SS501

6. Wonder Girls

source: www.bugs.co.kr
trans: sharingyoochun@wordpress

A marketing research agency Leespr did a survey amongst 1,334 Koreans from age 13-65 for the whole month of March, and survey results showed that groups Big Bang and So Nyeo Shi Dae were the most popular singers for the first half of year 2009.

Male Singer Category
The ranking:
1. Big Bang
2. Rain
3. Dong Bang Shin Ki
4. Super Junior
5. Lee Moon Sae

Others on Top 10: SS501, Jo Yong Pil, Lee Seung Chul, Kim Gun Mo, SG Wannabe.

Female Singer Category
1. So Nyeo Shi Dae
2. WonderGirls
3. Lee Hyori
4. Jang Yoon Jeong
5. Baek Ji Young
6. KARA
7. Son DamBi
8. Davichi
9. BoA

Credits: YGWorld & sookyeong+ boahouse.com