Popular group Shinhwa has taken over both Korea and Japan's music industry.

Shinhwa's newest album 'STATE OF THE ART' which released in May took the number one spot on Korea's largest record store Hottracks' (www.hottracks.co.kr) total online and offline sales chart for the first half of 2006, overtaking previous best sellers SG Wannabe and Lee Soo Young.

This sales chart which takes in all sales from January 2006 till June 2006 is evidence of Shinhwa's power as they have effectively ranked number one within just one month of release.

Furthermore, Shinhwa's first official Japanese album 'Inspiration #1' which is slated to release on the 16th is continuing this immense popularity. This album is currently also ranked number one on Japan's largest record store HMV's pre-order chart.

Not only this, but Shinhwa's Japan concert entitled 'SHINHWA, 2006 Japan Tour Inspiration #1' sold out completely in just one minute after opening bookings.

In particular Shinhwa's Japan concert which set aside tickets for the members of Shinhwa's Japanese official fanclub also sold out within 1 day and once the remaining tickets for everyone else were released for sale, both concerts for Tokyo and Osaka amounting to a total of 20 thousand seats were all sold out within one minute.

This Shinhwa concert will be the first time a Korean management company will participate in a Japan concert and Japan's leading concert directing company 'WooDu' which has previously worked with Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton and the Black Eyed Peas will collaborate making it a truly high quality event.

Shinhwa commented, "We are very thankful of all the great love we are receiving from both Korea and Japan" and "We hope for lots of love for our 8th album follow-up single and Japanese album title song 'Throw My Fist' too".

Shinhwa will leave for Japan on the second week of August to begin promotions of their Japanese album 'Inspiration #1' and then depart on the 19th for Thailand where Shinhwa will continue their world tour with 'SHINHWA 2006 TOUR 'STATE OF THE ART in THAILAND'.

Credits: ShinhwaChangjo.net + orenji728 (translation) + Newsen (source)