Girls & Peace

In May 2012, member Jessica revealed during an interview with Elle Korea that the group was working on the album, stating, "Our Japan album will be released sometime in the second half of the year. We're working hard on it".[2] In August 2012, Nayutawave Records' parent company Universal Music reported its quarterly earnings and revealed the group to be one of the artists expected to increase revenue for the second half of 2012.[3] The group had originally planned to make a Korean comeback during the months of October and November.[4] However, plans were ultimately scrapped for the group to focus on Japanese promotions for the remainder of 2012.[5][6]

The album was formally announced along with its track list on November 1, 2012.[7] The Japanese newspaper Sankei Sports was the first to reveal concept photos for the album, which featured the group as retro-inspired flight attendants.[7] Girls' Generation II: Girls & Peace was released on November 28, 2012.[8] Offered in three editions, the regular edition contained the album with its twelve tracks.[9] A limited DVD edition was offered with a 32-page photo book as well as a DVD containing the videos to the album's singles.[10] The album was also released under a Deluxe First Press Limited Edition, which comes with a make-up case, traveler's notebook (with sticker), a set of nine solo member posters (folded), a deluxe edition 40-page photo book, as well as a bonus DVD containing seven videos to "Paparazzi", "Oh!", "All My Love is for You", "Flower Power", and the dance versions to "Paparazzi", "Oh!" and "Flower Power".[11] They promoted the album on Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ, performing "Oh!", "Mr. Taxi" and "All My Love is for You".[12] Girls' Generation performed with fellow SMTown acts at the Tokyo Dome to two sold out dates of 100,000 people on August 4 and 5, which were later broadcast that October.[13] On September 30, they performed "Oh!" on Count Down TV. The group pre-recorded a performance for NHK-TV's Music Japan prior to the single's release and was scheduled to be broadcast on September 30, however due to a typhoon, the broadcast was delayed. The performance was shown on October 6, with the group performing in blue cheerleading outfits.[14] Promotion for the single continued on Nihon TV's "Music Lovers", where the group recorded a performance on September 25 for the show that was broadcast on October 8, 2012. The group performed "Oh!", "All My Love is for You" and "Mr. Taxi".[15] The group also promoted the "Oh!" via a "Special Online Program" broadcast on three Japanese music websites across three consecutive nights; September 25, 26 and 27.[16] On November 13, 2012, the group performed "Flower Power" on Kayou Kyoku.[17] The same day the group held a fan meet with 10,000 people at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium, the group performed "Gee", "Oh!" and "Flower Power."[18] On November 19, Japanese music site Dommune held a live chat with Japanese music critics during which "Girls & Peace" was previewed to fans.[19] The group made another appearance on "Music Lovers" on November 25, 2012.[20]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Rolling Stone Japan	[23]
Time Out	[24]

Girls' Generation II: Girls & Peace reached number two on Oricon's Daily Album Chart, selling 46,031 copies, only beaten by veteran Japanese band Mr. Children. The album pulled 116,963 copies in its first week of release, ranking third on Oricon's Weekly Albums Chart. It also charted on Billboard Japan's Top Albums at number three. "Girls & Peace" has been certified Platinum by the RIAJ, denoting 250,000 copies sent to Japanese retailers.[25] The album peaked at no. 6 spot on Oricon's Monthly Album Chart.[26]

"Paparazzi" was released as the album's lead single on June 26, 2012.[27] It continued the group's streak of successful Japanese releases, debuting at number one on the Japan Hot 100 and peaking at number two on the Oricon Weekly Chart, with opening week sales amounting to over 92,000 copies. "Paparazzi" was released in South Korea two months later on August 16, 2012.[28] The single helped push the group's total physical single sales in the country to 647,000.[29]

"Oh!" served as the second single, being released on September 26, 2012.[30] The double A-Side single featured a Japanese remake of "Oh!" (2010), as well as an original song entitled "All My Love Is For You", which appears on the album.[31] "Oh!" provided the group with another number one single on the Japan Hot 100, as well as the Oricon Weekly Chart.[32]

"Flower Power" was released as album's third single on November 21, 2012.[33] Originally scheduled for release on November 14, the single was pushed back to November 21 due to production issues.[34] The single also contains the B-side entitled "Beep Beep", which does not appear on the album, as well as a megamix of the tracks on "Girls & Peace." The single was ultimately released on the original release date of November 14, via digital download containing "Flower Power", "Beep Beep" and "Girls' Generation II Smash Up."[35] The single reached number six on the Hot 100, and number five on Oricon's Weekly Chart.[36][37]

Credits adapted from Naver