2009 was definitely "Girls' Generation'. Three years into their debut, they won a grand prize for Golden Disk digital and won six awards at the Melon Music Award. Sweeping all awards at various ceremonies, they all said, "Last year was magical".


"Park Kyunglim's 300mm interview" met twice with SNSD at the end of December and this month. First interview took place on the 30th of December at year-end award ceremony. For in-depth interview, on mid-January, we met with SNSD's Sooyoung, Hyoyeon, and Tiffany. They dressed up causally without make-up and met with Park Kyunglim at a cafe in Chungdamdong, Kangnam, Seoul. After they finished the interview that lasted two hours, they said, "I don't think we were this honest before with the interviews. It feels like we're burnt out".

Part (1)
▲ Like an old couple, we have come to accept it.


-Hey Sooyoung, thank you for sending that wreath to me while I was at the musical practice room. Everybody was going crazy. They asked me if this was really from SNSD's Sooyoung. Some people thought it was my friend Lee Sooyoung who sent them to me.

"I went to the flower shop and ordered it from there. Unnie, I'm glad you liked it". (Sooyoung)

-I'm so busy raising my son, Minjoon. He is growing up so fast. Last week, I bought him a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and it was kind of big for him. But when he wore it this week, it fitted him perfectly. That meant he got taller. (laughs)

"Why didn't you bring him here. We could have taken turns to take care of him" (Sunny)

-"Soshi's" popularity is immense. What is your thought on this?

"Whenever SNSD is mentioned on TV, it feels like another SNSD is being shown. It's still surreal that they're talking about us". (Tiffany)

-As time passes, are you guys getting closer?

"We started doing secret santa. We have been together for ten years but to become even closer, we decided to play it. It's been two weeks, but we still don't know who our secret santa is". (Hyoyeon)


-Still not all 9 can be close with all. There must be someone whom all of you are close to more than other members, who are they?

"Tiffany and Sooyoung goes to church together so they are close. Hyoyeon and Yoona see each other often, since they are roommates. Actually, it's not like we are close to only one member, but instead all of us grow to be close with whoever we go around with". (Yuri)

-At times, do you guys have conflict with another or one member annoys other members?

"It has been ten years so we know each other better than an old couple. We got over with having conflicts with each other a long time ago". (Jessica)

▲ Drunkard male fan visiting our dorm scares us the most

-I know you guys moved but you know how we lived in the same apartment complex? Yesterday, a drunken man, who looked like he was in his late 30's, was looking for your dorm in front of the entrance. I was done for the day around 1:00 AM and I was on my way home. I told him you guys moved away but he didn't believe me.

"That apartment had some security issues. One time, couple of guys were waiting for us by the stairs. We got goose bumps". (Sooyoung)

-It would be safer for the all members to go home together. With individual activities, you guys go home at different times. It must be really dangerous.

"One time, a stubborn male fan visited us and said, "I just got here in Seoul but I have no money to go back home". Our manager gave him some money and sent him home". (Tiffany)

-Yea that apartment was scary. The light in the hallway didn't work. When Lee Sooyoung first visited me, the hallway was so dark that she couldn't find the elevator. She ended up using the stairs. She was upset, "Kyunglim must not be doing well after she got married". Shabby and dark is the perfect description for that apartment". (All laughs)

"We used to call it 'Sicily 2km'. So many different people visited our dorm and they left a memo on our front door with a marker". (Yuri)

-Man. Maknae Seohyun is so special. She steam cooked three sweet potatoes and brought them. She gave it to me as a housewarming present. Usually, people would bring toilet papers, candles, or fruit baskets. What a mature young kid. Such a warm kid.

"Every morning, she blends Ma (plant) and eats them. She steam cooks sweet potatoes and eats them. In our dorm, we call her, 'A house wife' ". (Hyoyeon)

 
▲ When we watch TV and see ourselves in it, we ask ourselves, "Where did they come from?"


-Last year, girl group thrived. Excluding f(x), which girl group interested you the most?

"We really liked 4min and Kara's butt dance. So we danced to their songs. Tiffany is an expert in boy groups rather than girl groups. You should ask her about it. For solo male singer, we really like K.Will's 2nd album; we always take turn to listen to his music". (Sooyoung)

-Which group do you guys think poses a threat to SNSD?

"We are not exactly sure. But we get nervous whenever we see other groups working hard". (Seohyun)

-What is SNSD's strength?

"Team work and drive. If we see a member doing something wrong, we point out their mistake. When we watch TV and see ourselves on screen, we ask ourselves, 'Where did they come from? How did the staff managed to bring out the best of us?' I think producers are great. Heh, I kind of went overboard, right? (Sooyoung)

-Who is the prettiest member?

"We thought Seohyun was the prettiest. But lately she ate so much sweet potatoes that her face slowly became yellow. (everyone laughs) I think Yoona is the prettiest, while Seohyun is best for her feminine, lovely side". (Sooyoung)

-In terms of looks, which members' look became more refined?

(With one voice) "Of course it's Yuri! She was always pretty and her fashion style changed a lot. Her fashion became more fashionable. For Sooyoung and Hyoyeon, since their trainee days, they had their own distinct fashion style". (Tiffany)

-During your trainee days, did you guys used to dislike certain members?

"Of course we did. There were many conflicts and critical moments. Those who couldn't persevere, they ended up leaving before we debuted. You would think that Sooyoung is "A sergeant" because she emits a strong vibe. Rather, she is soft. When it comes to leadership, it's Hyoyeon. She manages circumstances very well". (Sunny)

Part (2)
-When you guys received the grand prize at the Golden Disk Award, you guys all cried a lot, right?



"We pretty much didn't go to any of award ceremonies in 2008. That year, we had to watch award ceremonies on TV. That reminds me of our sadness. We grew a lot in a year and I never expected us to win the grand prize". (Yoona)


-Which member is the funniest?


"Usually, Tiffany is the funniest member. If Tiffany can do it the way she would with us, then her sense of humor would be funny on TV, but that's not the case". (Sooyoung)


-Even though you guys are young, aren't you guys worry about becoming older?


"When that happens, we will use our secret weapon, Maknae Seohyun. We'll use her to reduce our average age, right? When f(x)'s member Sullie comes to our waiting room with her pigtails, we would straighten our hair. We just couldn't stand having the same pigtails". (Tiffany)


- Aren't you guys upset that SM launched f(x)


"Since we are singers, we wonder if we lost a good song or dance to them; but it's not like we are competing with them". (Sooyoung)

-Which female singer sunbae(senior) do you like?


"Lee Hyori unnie and BoA sunbaenim. Recently, Tiffany was on SBS' Family Outing. Whenever Lee Hyori sunbaenim messed up and ended up getting the punishments, she wanted to face the punishments with Tiffany. Initially, I didn't like it but I think she did that so Tiffany would get more screen time. I became thankful for her". (Sooyoung)

-Unlike Super Junior who do unit promotions frequently, you guys always go on stage with all nine members, right?


"If one member is absent, then we have to practice again. Even if they're sick, we helped them get up and held hands to practice together". (Taeyeon)


-You guys were on that baby-sitting program, who was the best?


"Hyoyeon was the best one. Sunny was good at taking care of the baby as well, since she has a nephew/niece. Sooyoung has sort of a dark face so babies tend to avoid her at first". (Tiffany)

-Which member will get married first?


"Sooyoung and Tiffany are praying hard for their future spouse. Both of their dream is to be a good wife and wise mother. Sooyoung said if she meets the right man, then she wants to get married as soon as possible. For Tiffany, she is good at taking care of herself". (Taeyeon)


-It isn't easy for female celebrities to find the right guy. We don't have that much time and it is hard for us to discern their heart. There is a high possibility for us to fall in love easily, if they were to help us during our hard times.


"I'm into Gosu from 'Will it Snow for Christmas?' Like housewives, I get into the drama so I end up crying often". (Sooyoung)

-You guys are frequently asked out by many male celebrities, right?


"What Taeyeon has disclosed on that show was a long time ago, during our debut days. There is no secret among us. Since we are all close with each other, they have a hard time approaching us. Unnie, hook us up". (Sooyoung)


-All the good guys I know are gone now. There are about 180 girls who have asked me to hook them up with guys".


"If we weren't celebrities, then we would be around sophomore to senior in college. Since we are always with girls, I think we lost the sense of dating". (Taeyeon)


-Were you guys ever upset over twisted news articles?


"Not really. We got a good laugh from Jessica and Tiffany when they asked us about if the phrase 'Crowned with six awards' was good a thing or a bad thing on this one article". (Hyoyeon)


-As people have a higher interest in you guys, you guys have to be careful with words, right?


"Yes, it's not easy for us to be honest. When people ask us questions, we would hesitate, and think once more before we speak. If we are not careful with our words, someone might get offended". (Tiffany)


 
-As a SNSD member, what are some of the things you have gained and lost?


"We have gained precious eight friends. On the other hand, we have lost many of our school friends. Living with our new family, SNSD members, it is also unfortunate that we have to live far away from our parents". (Taeyeon)

-Who is good at showing love?

"Hyoyeon is blunt so she doesn't say 'I love you' often. When Jessica gets angry, she becomes a cry baby; tears help relieve one's stress. For Seohyun, she tends to hold it in then blow up later. For Tiffany and Sunny, they don't really cry". (Taeyeon)

-How do you guys decide on who will give the winning speech?

"It depends on members' conditions and that day. There are times when a member pushes another member to the front and ends up talking for the group". (Sooyoung)

-Recently, that incident where Seohyun's face was covered by a logo became the hot topic.

"When we saw that, we laughed so hard. It wasn't intentional. Tiffany went through the same thing long time ago. When the camera is on, there is no way to find out which spot is the good one. Lately, we have been making Seohyun sit in the middle". (Sooyoung)

-Are you guys jealous when you see a member gets to film a CF by themselves?

"Actually, we tell them to treat us dinner or something; since they filmed a CF. We would tease each other if we don't bring back free stuff from the CF filming, like cereal boxes or cosmetic products". (Jessica)

-What are SNSD's future plans?

"Although popularity has ups and downs, I hope our attitude won't change. We want to have the attitude of being one. If there is a member who is falling behind, then I hope to see other members who are going ahead help them get up". (Hyoyeon)

Part 3

To SNSD...from Park Kyunglim

Hey guys~ what's up? It feels like yesterday when you guys were on "Park Kyunglim's Wonderful Outing", but time flies. Even at that time, you guys were receiving a lot of attention, but you guys were so polite and humble. I think I obtained a lot of energies by watching you guys work hard.

During that time, a thought occurred to me, "Soon, these girls will dominate the broadcast shows".

Despite being young, Sooyoung, you are able to connect with people well; Yuri, a smile never leaves from you; Hyoyeon, even girls are attracted by your dance; Yoona, you're a woman of unsurpassed beauty; Tiffany, you are a dorky girl who has an unique eye smile; Your bluntness is your charm, Jessica; Taeyeon, I always see you as a neighbor at 7th floor of MBC building; Sunny, you are like a refreshing vitamin; Finally, well-being Seohyun who brought steam cooked sweet potatoes for me!

Like always, I enjoyed this interview thoroughly. You guys are really bright, cheerful girls.

It must be difficult for you guys to handle busy schedules, yet you guys are still cheerful? I think that is what led you guys up to this point. I hope in 2010, you guys will continue to be healthy and give lots of energies to everyone~ As a fan, I will support you guys, forever SNSD~!!

To Park Kyunglim...from SNSD

Yuri: To our 'knee-drop-guru [someone who listens to one's problem and helps solve their problem] Kyunglim unnie' Forever~! After reading your book "A person", it feels like I'm reborn.

Tiffany: Kyunglim unnie~ It feels like yesterday when we filmed together for that show, but it is already 2010. I would like to congratulate your son's first birthday. I'm very grateful for your unchanging warm heart. I want to ask you to take care of us for this year as well.

Hyoyeon: To Kyunglim unnie, who never loses her smile, wherever she is! Ah~! I realized how you can enlighten the atmosphere by greeting the way you do. I have always wanted to be like you, unnie. I really appreciate your advices, whenever I see you.

Yoona: Unnie, I'm so sorry that I couldn't make it to your son's first birthday party. Like always, continue to show people how you can easily connect with everyone.

Sunny: Unnie, you never fear trying out something new. Unnie, you truly are an amazing person in this era. I will go and see your musical. Aja-aja. (variation of hwaiting)

Taeyeon: Thank you so much for treating nine noisy girls with your warm hospitality, as if we were your sisters. As you know, I'm a DJ for that radio station. I think that's why I feel like I'm close to you.

Jessica: Unnie! Congratulations on your son's first birthday. This year, I hope your family will be filled with happiness. Unnie, hwaiting!

Seohyun: Unnie, I really respect you for your optimistic personality and how you approach everybody with a genuine heart. I will work hard to be like you, someone who gives happiness to everyone.

Sooyoung: Unnie, like your husband, I want to be in love with my future husband and give birth to a son like Minjoon. I will pray for you that God will bless your family.

 
 
 
Original Link
Written by: Kim Sungeui @joongang@co.o.kr
Translation credit to cathode @soshified
Edited by: sneezes,nerD @soshified