[TRANS] Hyoyeon Interview in The Star
We feel like weโre seeing you for the first time in a while, weโre curious what youโve been doing during this time.
There is a dance program that I will appear on soon so Iโve been spending my time practicing. I have danced before on <Dancing with the Stars Season 2> and <Dancing 9>, but this time, I am personally doing the stage direction. During all of my past performances, Iโve watched a lot of other peopleโs dances. I use that as experience and with my ideas, I direct the stage and do the dance. I think we will do a collaboration between dancers and celebrities. Itโs not just dancing so thereโs really a lot of things to be concerned about.
Your smile is so pretty. It feels like youโve precisely caught your strengths now.
Ah, really? Iโve been promoting for a long time but there are times when Iโm still awkward. In the early days after debut, I practiced smiling alone looking at a mirror and I still do that occasionally. To become even prettier? (Laughs)
While shooting today, your smiling was so pretty.
I really like the overall atmosphere of this editorial, including the background! It feels a bit like LA.
As a new beauty icon, give us a tip for 2016 summer makeup.
I like one point makeup. You can look even more put together in a short amount of time. This summer, I think it would be good if you use red lips or a coloured lip. At home these days, I have a lot of shadows but I havenโt used them all so I am attempting it at home.
Your skin looks good too, do you have any personal secrets when it comes to skin maintenance tips?
Even though itโs summer, my skin tends to be on the dry side so I apply a lot of moisture cream that works well for me. And pack! When I sleep, I always sleep with a moisture pack on.
You look a bit darker, is your skin tanned?
Thatโs right. Normally I tend to be on the fair side, but I do tan well. When Iโm with members, I think that being fair is pretty but when Iโm alone, I think itโs better to be a bit tan.
What are Hyoyeonโs must-have items this summer?
My favourite items are jeans. You know the ones you wore in elementary school, like overall pants. I like ones like that. If you wear a white or coloured cap backwards, itโs pretty too. Should I say it feels a bit like streetwear? Even if you just wear a T-shirt with shorts, itโs naturally pretty as if you did or didnโt adorn yourself.
These days when we look at Hyoyeon, we can automatically feel that youโre thinking about inner beauty too.
Not everything can be exactly like my heart. I think there were a lot of times when I held back. In the beginning, my thoughts were negative so I received a lot of stress. When I did that, my body hurt so I tried hard to think as positively as possible. After I did that, everything naturally worked out. You can only have good thoughts when you discipline your inner side.
If you were to tell us one method for fostering inner beauty, what would it be?
I create a lot of hobbies for myself. I relieve stress through exercise and meet new people.
Your short blonde hair became a hot topic. Is there a reason why you attempted a drastic transformation?
I discussed it with the director in charge of hair and then cut it. After I cut it, the reaction was good. The one thing thatโs regrettable is when Iโm dancing. Truthfully, when I dance, there is a certain charm for long hair, but after I cut it, Iโve heard that I look like a โfashion personโ and I like it.
Do you have a good tip for looking pretty when you take selfies?
As natural as possible! Normally, I always try to take it as pretty as possible no matter what but now, natural appearance is the prettiest. Today, I tried to appear as natural as possible too.
Including the editor, there are a lot of people who are envious of Hyoyeonโs figure. Do you have any summer exercise methods that readers can easily follow?
Swimming is the best. Itโs a good workout and itโs refreshing when itโs hot. But I donโt really go to swimming pools. (Laughs) In the summer, I play golf or I like going to wide open places. I like flowers and trees, and the colour green. Even though the sunlight is hot, being with nature puts me in the good mood and itโs cooling.
You debuted as SNSD. Were there any instances where the fantasies that the public held toward SNSD was overwhelming?
SNSD radiates light and is feminine. Even if time has passed now, I think being natural is the best. Natural that is age appropriate. Up until now, SNSDโs concepts were all different, and there are charms that stand out according to your age. Right now, I think the public loves feminine SNSD. Thereโs a reason why we liked todayโs editorial concept. Out of the members, my image is always strong and powerful. So Iโve wanted to show a girl-like appearance when I was alone and I think we were able to do that today.
Iโm touched. Weโll work even harder.
Itโs for real.
Then, what does โgirlโ mean to you?
To me, it means what you find in the dictionary. (Laughs) Itโs a woman who is not married. So I am a girl.
Then how many days do you think are left until you escape being a girl?
Mmm. I keep thinking there arenโt many days left, so I want to do things that suit my current age. I wear suits occasionally, but regularly, I try to dress even more casual. You know how there are things I canโt wear later when Iโm older.
Recently, weโve been hearing regrettable news from 2nd generation girl groups. Weโre curious how your heart feels, as someone who is also in a girl group.
Itโs sad. I feel all sad. There are things you want to see only from that specific group. There are a lot of rookies right now and there are times when people reminisce about us but it makes me sad. I hope everyone does well.
SNSD, a group with longevity, what is your secret?
Itโs teamwork. If there was a friend who was fussy, we wouldnโt have been able to make it here.
With SNSD, you achieved a lot of things. Are there more things you want to achieve with the group?
When we were asked this question before, we spoke of various concepts. But now weโve tried everything. I think that rather than doing active group promotions like before, itโs good to create a standout image while doing individual activities. And then weโll group occasionally and release an album. Like Shinhwa sunbaenims. I want us to take the longevity title until the end. Even if we donโt continuously do group activities, I want us to be โSNSDโ when we come together.
This summer is also a war of the girl groups. As SNSD, I feel like your bodies will be itching.
I do have the itch. But if I think realistically, promoting in the summer is too hot. (Laughs) It looks very pretty on TV but in the summer, it will be hot for everyone. I do have thoughts of wanting to promoteโฆ But the #1 thought is that it will be hot, not that it will be fun. (Laughs)
Recently, Tiffany said โSNSD Hyoyeon is passing off being in charge of danceโ. Is it true?
Thereโs no separate areas of responsibility, really. I was so surprised after seeing Tiffany. I know Tiffanyโs dance skills from the early days of debut. I saw her practice video and I got goosebumps. Sheโs so good.
Truthfully, Tiffanyโs dance skills didnโt radiate light within the groupโฆ
She didnโt stand out. But I can see with my eyes how much effort she put in recently. I complimented her without holding back.
Even so, if you say SNSD dance, itโs Hyoyeon.
Right. (Laughs)
Do SNSD members gather often?
For everyone to get together, itโs not easy if it isnโt during group promotions. We have overseas schedules. Thankfully, our birthdays are relatively apart so we try hard to gather on those days. In May, we got together for Sunny and Yoonaโs birthday party and to talk. If not, we meet separately when we have time.
When you get together, what do you talk about?
We mostly eat food and chat. When we havenโt seen each other in a while, we have lots to say, and if we see each other every day, we have lots to say. Regardless, we really talk a lot.
Is there a member that matches well with Hyoyeon in particular?
Itโs all different. When weโre playing or drinking alcohol, Yuri and Tiffany. When shopping, Sooyoung. On days when I want to be at home, Taeyeon. Itโs different for each person. With Seohyun, I talk a lot about concerns or inner thoughts.
You said youโre going to go meet Seohyun when the interview ends. Will you tell her your inner thoughts today too?
I have a feeling that Iโm going to be listening today.
Recently, you filmed a Chinese variety <Star Advent> with Sunny and Leeteuk. Whatโs Chinese variety like?
The variety was about dealing with Chinese culture so I learned a lot of new things. It was fun. I thought it was really good that I had learned Chinese. Even now, I study Chinese five times a week. I try to do it consistently. But I only do about 10 minutes. (Laughs) I was so nervous when we were filming. I thought โWill my Chinese skills have decreased?โ. Words didnโt come out right away, but thankfully, I was able to hear it. I think Chinese activities are good because it makes me realize the importance of studying languages.
If there are any differences from China to Korea, what is it?
The biggest difference is that in China, you have to do your work yourself. For example, in Korea, if someone is trying to take our photo, managers block them for us. In China, I have to say it myself. Iโm careful about what photo I upload on Weibo. China is sensitive when it comes to image rights so Iโm careful about product placements too. As long as you can speak the language, I think that you can always exchange jokes wherever you are.
Truthfully, we really like Hyoyeonโs off-the-wall entertainment sense. Do you have any thoughts about attempting varieties more proactively?
I donโt know if Iโm doing well at speaking. So thatโs my concern. My weirdness comes out when Iโm with members, but if it keeps coming out my imageโฆ Thatโs why I go on varieties occasionally. (Laughs)
Youโve gotten 1st place at a ski competition and youโre also good at DJing. Whatโs something youโve wanted to learn recently?
I have my scuba diving license but Iโve never properly done it overseas. The underwater scenery is unimaginably beautiful, so I want to do it properly.
Do you have any desires to do a solo album?
I do. I donโt have immediate plans but Iโm mapping out ideas.
We saw Vascoโs <Whoa Ha!> music video and WE think it would suit you well to work with a rapper.
That was filmed in a hurry. Real hurry! I filmed it while passing by. If Iโm given a good opportunity, I would like to work with other musicians on my solo album.
Itโs summer. Do you have vacation plans?
Normally you go to summer countries in the winter. I think this summer will be spent in Korea, practicing for my activities.
Summer or winter, which one do you like more?
I donโt know. I feel like I like winter more, but I like summer because the days are long.
Do you have any thoughts about wanting to be in love?
If there is a good person, Iโd like to be. But my body is really itching these days. More so than dating, Iโd rather go to a dance school and I want to feel passion with other people. I want to see myself dance passionately in front of a mirror.
Itโs already the 10th year since your debut. When you look back on your life in the entertainment world, when were you happiest, and conversely, when was the most difficult?
I was happy for all of it but what I remember most is when we were all busy together. If I were to go back in time, Iโd be annoyed and I wouldnโt be able to sleep, but there was a time when we were #1 for 9 consecutive weeks and a lot of people loved us. I think I was happiest then. It was difficult when I couldnโt enjoy the schedules. There was no time to relax in my heart so it felt like work which made it difficult.
Thereโs a huge fence called SM. Even so, were there any difficult aspects of living in the entertainment world?
Mmm. Before, the members were there so we could divide the roles. Eight people sing one song together. I think the difficulties will start now. I need to draw an image of myself by myself. Iโm thinking about how to do it without consuming too much of my image, and how I can show the artist side of me in a wise way. Right now is a time when I have a lot of concerns and thoughts.
Other than your members, who are your best friends in the entertainment world?
I canโt exclude the members. If I have to name a best friend, itโs Miss Aโs Min. Iโm not able to see him these days but thereโs also actor Lee Jongsuk. My criteria for a best friend is someone Iโve known for a long time. I call people best friends once Iโve known them for over 10 years. There are times when I donโt see these people in over a year but whenever I see them, it feels like I saw them only yesterday.
Whatโs a dream that you want to achieve this year?
There is a dance program that Iโll show off soon. Definitely the things that Iโve watched and experienced cannot be ignored. Iโve never concretely studied things like stage lighting but Iโm looking forward to directing a stage based on my experiences. Also, I want to create opportunities to make Hyoyeonโs various charms known through a solo album or collaborations. I hope everyone likes and loves it a lot.
We hope this editorial and interview helps you.
I hope so too!
Huge thanks to @chicagosone for providing the scans! :)ย
