Girls' Generation wins best artist at Melon awards

Not buying a record does not mean you lack an affection for music. The first Melon Music Awards, fittingly established during an era in which consumption of music largely takes place in the digital world, was held at the Olympic Park on Wednesday. The award recognized Korea's top 10 artists of the year, with selection based on the number of downloads their songs received and popularity on mobile devices, as well as distinguishing singers in 15 other categories. Female idol group Girls' Generation, who became a sensation with their hit song "Gee" earlier this year, confirmed their reputation as this year's most popular artist by claiming a total of six trophies at the event. The nine-member girl group, who took the prize for best song of the year, burst into tears as they were also named the best artist of the year.

But such music awards are ultimately aimed at encouraging artists who deserve praise and meant for them to have a good time together. That is why there is no need to state that Girls' Generation was the winner of the day. Singer Kim Tae-woo, who shook hands and slapped high fives with each member of the choir after the show was over and the lights went out on stage, songwriter Kim Hyung-suk who bashfully bragged that he had taught members of the choir to sing and singer K.Will who could not conceal his nervousness throughout the event because it was his first time attending an awards ceremony -- each and every one of the artists who gathered at the ceremony for their love for music -- were the main stars of the day.

Reporter : Yoon Hee-Seong nine@10asia.co.kr
Photographer : Lee Jin-hyuk eleven@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr, Jang Kyung-Jin three@10asia.co.kr