By Han Sang-hee
It seems like only yesterday that young, handsome and talented male singers and actors paved the path for local television programs to debut overseas. The word ``hallyu’’ has become a household term in so many Asian countries, including Japan, China and Thailand, and the torch has been passed to yet another group of talented stars, particularly K-pop girl groups. Just when fans may have thought the pretty girls have captivated Asia, the boys, both old and new, have jumped right back into the picture, but on a more diverse scale.
Currently, girl groups are doing a good job in continuing the hallyu craze. Some local press are even calling it the ``second phase of hallyu,’’ and the groups have music chart success, concerts and television shows to prove it.
Girls’ Generation’s popular number ``Gee’’ hit second spot in Japan’s weekly Oricon chart last week, the first non-Japanese Asian group to do so and the second foreign female group in 30 years. Girl groups Kara, 4Minute and