#girlsgeneration

I’m officially entering my Ji-woo Era. There is something so incredibly ✨correct✨ about being a dominant boss with a cute, devoted sub. Like, the competence? The power? The wardrobe? I don't just want the career, I want the dynamic. 👠💼

Good day Brothers and Sisters and welcome to my blog!

It's been a few years since hindi pa ako nakapagpagawa ng blog na ito sa Tumblr kasi alam ko na busy ako sa pagiging isang K-Pop fan but let me tell you, August 5 is the red letter day to all SONEs (including me na kakasimula pa lang) because Girls' Generation (SNSD/소녀시대) is now celebrating their 18th Anniversary as a group!!!

SM Entertainment had a vision since 2005 na mukhang imposible para bumuo ng ganitong girl groups. It started out as 9 trainees, selected not just for talent but for a specific role sa mga malalaking design. Halos taun-taon na silang dinaan sa training habang ang iba naman ay nag-rush o binilisan ang ibang grupo to market, SM crafted each element with surgical precision. Mula sa dance formations hanggang sa vocal arrangements, sigurado akong walang binatbat ang grupong ito, it is because they are the 2nd Gen K-Pop group na minahal at tinangkilik ng maraming K-Pop fans especially mga SONEs.

In August 5, 2007, Girls' Generation was born. And the song "Into the New World" was dropped. Hanggang sa nagtuluy-tuloy na rin ang kanilang kasikatan, from “Genie”, “Oh!”, “Gee”, “Run Devil Run”, “The Boyz”, “Hoot”, to “Party”, “Holiday”, “Lion Heart” and “Forever1”, these girls were undeniable and unbeatable. But in 2014, pinatanggal ng SM Entertainment si Jessica sa Girls Generation nang dahil lang sa kanyang negosong pinasukan n'ya. Some say na si Taeyeon ang dahilan kung bakit s'ya tinanggal sa grupo but to us, it's not her fault. Kaya sa Ballad version ng kanta nilang "Into the New World", halos emosyonal sila't mangiyak-ngiyak pa sa huli noong nag-perform sila sa Tokyo Dome.

Lineup has changed for K-Pop pero ang Girls' Generation, imbis na mag-disband ay nagdesisyon na silang magpapatuloy as OT8 kahit wala na si Jessica sa grupo pero may kanya-kanyang karera sa pagiging solo nila. Mula sa pagiging isang solo artist ni Taeyeon, sa mga acting careers nina Tiffany, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona at Seohyun, sa pagiging special trainer ni Sunny at sa pagiging DJ ni Hyoyeon, definitely ang group loyaly nila ay hindi basta-basta matitinag because eight members are in our sight but nine members are in our hearts.

And so, as I mentioned, in celebration of their 18th Anniversary on August 5, I'll give you a compilation of Girls' Generation members and my dedication songs for them.

Taeyeon

Everyone knows why Taeyeon is our favorite SNSD member because she's the leader of the group. From her powerful vocal prowess to her funny and witty side since napapanood natin s'ya sa Amazing Saturday, I truly believe through her beautiful face and her powerful voice, Taeyeon can handle any song any leader can offer. That is why ang tawag natin sa kanya, Kid Leader. Noong bata pa s'ya, ang musikang kinalakihan n'ya ay galing sa mga magulang n'ya, mula sa pagiging vocalist ng isang banda ang Dad n'ya hanggang sa nanalo ang Mom n'ya sa children's song competition, truly Taeyeon stands above the rest when it comes to her music. At hindi lang 'yun, mahilig din s'ya sa matatamis, whether from ice chream, gummies or chocolate; pero ang tanong, hindi ba s'ya nagkaka-diabetes because of her loves for sweets?!? And not only that, besides of her music, she also has a passion for being creative, from painting and drawing to composing and writing, ganyan talaga ka-creative si Taeyeon. Oh, and I almost forgot, s'ya rin ay isang OST queen, kumakanta din s'ya ng mga K-Drama and K-Movie OSTs, majority 'yung sa mga K-Dramas ni IU gaya ng Scarlet Heart and Hotel del Luna. And speaking of IU (which I'm also a fan of hers), mahilig din s'yang makinig ng mga kanta n'ya!!! Wow, mukhang UAENA din ang Kid Leader natin!!! I remember when my Pastor used to say, "Kalma Lang!", which means 'yan ang ibig sabihin ng pangalan ni Taeyeon, ang pagiging kalmado, or calm. And the best part, she loves listening to music and watch movies. And so for that, the song I dedicate for Taeyeon, medyo mapanakit ang kantang 'yan, pramis!!! And I mean it is a breakup OPM love song.

This song tells a story of unrequited love, longing and emotional turmoil following a breakup. And he struggles to let go of their feelings for a lost love, reminiscing about memories and acknowledging past mistakes.

This song was released in 1993 through their first debut album of the same title pero sumikat ito kinalaunan. Ngayon alam ninyo ang kantang ito't kinakanta ito sa mga videoke at na-play sa iba't ibang "masa" radio stations sa buong Pilipinas. And I'm talking about Ez Mil's dad, Paul Sapiera and the rest of the band Rockstar, written and composed by OPM hitmaker Vehnee Saturno and the track from their 1993 debut album is entitled: "Mahal Pa Rin Kita".

2. Sunny

If you think Sunny is your bias? Think again mga Kapatid. Through her witty side when it comes to her variety show instinct, and her cute face, grabe she shines even more brighter than the sun!!! And whenever I watched Sunny's quick wit and her funny aegyo skills, sigurado akong matatawa kayo d'yan. Because I know, she is the queen of aegyo in South Korea. And her height? Well, s'ya 'yung pinaka-pandak sa grupo. She was born in Los Angeles, California USA, pero noong baby pa lang s'ya, lumipat s'ya sa Kuwait pero noong nagsimula ang Gulf War, lumipat din kinalaunan sa South Korea. But unfortunately she left SM in August 8, 2023, and in April 7, 2025, she joined A20 Entertainment kasama ang uncle n'yang si Lee Soo-man, ang founder ng SM Entertainment at founding CEO ng nasabing agency. Even though Sunny left SM for good, she will remain faithful to her members and to her fans, whether from variety shows, 2 musical plays, kahit sa pagiging cat lover n'ya. Truly, by her cute face, cute smile, and her Aegyo ability, Sunny will shine even more brighter than the sun!!! And this dedication song for her, medyo mapanakit din kagaya ng nauna. And it is also a heartbreak song that was sung by a legendary singer-songwriter.

This song is about a plea for love and connection. And it is also about vulnerability, emotional struggle, and the fear of losing oneself or someone else in a moment of crisis. Meaning to say, takot na s'yang mawala ang lahat ng 'yan, maging ang minamahal n'ya.

There's so many songs about the sun but this one, definitely mapupuno ito ng emotional turmoil at sa masasakit na lyrics na akala ng iba'y lulubog na ang araw at mawawala ang lahat. And this one was written by Bernie Taupin and composed by the legendary Sir Elton John. It was released through his 1974 album "Caribou", but it was later performed by the late George Michael with a duet from Elton himself during a concert at Wembley Arena in 1991. And this one is a duet rendition of his song, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me".

3. Tiffany

Next on our list, Hwang Mi-yeong, a.k.a. Tiffany Young. Kung na-enjoy ninyo sa katatapos lang na "Here For You" fan concert na naganap last Sunday sa Samsung Hall at the SM Aura Premier BGC, well I know some of you who were Tiffany's Young Ones, 'di ba? She's an American singer of a Korean descent who made us laugh in her hosting stint in Boogle Boogle's Face Talk on YouTube and amazes us with her singing career with her mostly English songs and a few Korean songs. And speaking of that, Inglisera din s'ya kasi doon s'ya ipinanganak sa Amerika, sa may San Francisco, California. I mean she speaks fluently in English. Take note mga Kapatid, she has her beautiful eye smile!!! 'Yan ang klase ng ngiti ni Tiffany. At dahil inglisera si Tiffany, nakuha pa n'yang makipag-interview sa iilang mga Hollywood stars gaya nina Tom Hiddleston at Brad Pitt. Ganon din sa pagiging isang photographer sa mga members n'ya kahit walang paparazzi. She also starred in A Korean adaptation of two musical plays like Fame and Chicago. And the best part, YouTube was her best friend!!! Kaya pala nagkaroon s'ya ng sarili n'yang YouTube variety show. Admit it or not, Tiffany is multi-talented in several fields, from music, acting career even in musical theater. And so, I just want to share this song I dedicate to Tiffany.

Kung sa mga naunang members na ang shinare ko sa kanila ay ang mga heartbreak songs, this time maiba naman. Because this song I dedicate to her is a classic love song.

It is about falling deeply in love and experiencing the vulnerability that comes with it. And it explores the excitement, uncertainty and roller coaster of emotions that come with falling in love, with him admitting to past experience but believing that this time is different and the person they're infatuated with the one they've been waiting for. The repeated plea for the person they're infatuated with is the one they've been waiting for. The repeated plea for the person to stay with them forever underscores the intensity of the emotions involved in this newfound love.

This song was played in different Easy-Listening Music stations on radio pero kadalasan kinakanta din ito sa mga videoke. It was released in 1981 through his album "Both Sides of Love", produced by Larry Butler and written by Bob McDill and Paul Anka, and it is performed also by Paul Anka. And the track is entitled "Think I'm In Love Again".

4. Hyoyeon

If you have been captivated by Hyoyeon's smile, then ths could be your bias!!! Although napasayaw kayo sa kanta n'yang "Dessert" at "Retro Romance", pero ang pinaka-funny moment ni Hyoyeon ay ang pinapahirapan ng vocal trainer sa pagsigaw n'ya ng "Toossi" sabay finger gun sa mga nakasabit na photos ng ilang SNSD members, that made me laugh a lot harder. But I truly believe Hyoyeon is the dancing machine of SNSD that dances like liquid fire, and besides that, she's also a famous club DJ under the name, DJ HYO, grabe talaga ang karera ni Hyoyeon pagdating sa pagkanta, pagsasayaw at sa pagiging DJ sa club. And also the fact is, nakasali din s'ya sa Dancing with the Stars Season 2 at nakaabot din s'ya sa Finals leaving in 2nd place. And just like her fellow member Tiffany, nagkaroon din s'ya ng sarili n'yang variety show sa YouTube, ang Hyo's Level Up, na naka-dalawang season na recently. Truly Hyoyeon is dancing her way of being famous, from being a member of Girls' Generation to her succesful solo career in being a DJ in the club. At dahil sa mala-Close Up n'yang ngiti na nakakabighani, here's my dedication song na I'm sure na mapapangiti kayo.

This song explores themes of love, intimacy, and the desire to be closer to a significant other, emphasizing the emotional bond that transcends physical distance. The lyrics convey the idea of love at first sight, where he is captivated by the look in their beloved's eyes. As the song progresses, it becomes evident that this love is real and profound. The recurring phrase "The closer I get to touching you, the closer I get to loving you" symbolizes the idea that physical closeness is a metaphor for emotional intimacy.

Although this song was also sang sa videoke at na-play din sa ilang radio stations, itong kantang ito ay ginamit din sa commercial ng isang toothpaste brand noong 1992. So here it is, a song written by Gina Tabuena-Godinez, produced and compsed by Louie Ocampo and performed by Gino Padilla. Here's his romantic song, "Closer You and I".

5. Yuri

We're already halfway there but it's Yuri's turn. And FYI, these 4 remaining group members were also actresses as well so unahin na natin s'ya. I mean besides sa pagkanta't pagsayaw as a member of Girls' Generation, marami na ring nagawang mga K-Drama series at mga pelikula si Yuri so I think artstahin 'yun. But the latest movie she made was "Somebody" which is a mystery thiller K-Drama movie that was released this year, and her latest K-Drama she made was a cameo role in a K-Drama series, "The Art of Negotiation". At hindi lang sa pagkanta't pagsayaw o pag-arte mapa-TV man o pelikula, kundi s'ya rin ay isang woman in action; mapa-horseback riding, motorcycle riding, scuba diving at dog rescuing even sa pagtuturo n'ya sa Yoga, I truly believe na yakang-yaka ni Yuri 'yun because she's doing this for her fans. And she also loves Crayon Shin Chan and collecting Mickey Mouse items, grabe talaga ka-sweet itong si Yuri, 'di ba? Now I know, by the looks of her face, her smile and her beautiful body, she's getting more sweeter and sweeter than honey. And so, this next song that I dedicate to her, tila ba patok na patok sa masa ang kantang ito, pramis!!!

The song tells the story of a person who's deeply in love with someone, but feels neglected and ignored by their love interest. Despite this, the person remains devoted, understanding, and patient, hoping for reciprocation. The song's narrative revolves around his introspection, questioning why they're always like this, and acknowledging the love interest's feelings towards them. However, he yearns for mutual love and connection, pleading for the love interest to recognize and reciprocate their feelings.

This song was also A famous OPM hit in the late-90s, at ito'y binuo ng magkakapatid na Regino na sina Vingo at Jimmy. Although kakahiwalay pa lang nina Vingo at Jimmy kay April Boy Regino, naging hit ito at pumatok sa masa noong 1999 base sa isang Taglish adaptation ng Original Japanese song na “Itoshi no Ellie” ng Southern All Stars. And take note, gumawa rin ito ng isang romcom movie of the same title na pinagbibidahan nina Dingong Dantes, Antoinette Taus, Polo Ravales, Sunshine Dizon, Dino Guevarra at Kim delos Santos. Ngayon alam n'yo na ang kantang ito because kahit si Yuri pa, basta't mahal natin s'ya so here's the April Boys with the song written and composed by Vingo Regino, and the track is entitled "Honey My Love (So Sweet)".

6. Sooyoung

5 down, 3 more to go!!! This time I'm talking about Sooyoung. Gaya ni Yuri, si Sooyoung din ay artistahin din sa lahat ng miyembro. S'ya ang pinaka-matangkad sa grupo pero yakang-yaka rin na makisabay sa iilang mga ka-miyembro n'yang artistahin. Pero alam n'yo ba mga Kapatid na ang pangalang Sooyoung ay isang Korean word for swimming but she loves the beach, 'di ba? 'Ika nga ng kasabihan, "Life's a beach". Nagsimula ang karera n'ya hindi sa SNSD kundi sa isang all-girl duo sa Japan na Root Zero noong 12 years old pa lang s'ya. From that went on, naging member din s'ya ng isang choir noong high school sa Jongshin Girls High School bago s'ya sumali sa Girls' Generation. S'ya rin ang tinaguriang Hair Flip Goddess ng mga SONEs, grabe naman s'yang mag-flip ng buhok n'ya!!! And besides that, kung gaya sa mga mukbangers na kumalat online sa social media, si Sooyoung din ay matakaw kung kumain!!! Buti hindi s'ya tumaba ay magiging kagaya ni Nikocado Avocado, I guess. Pero ang pinaka-tumatak sa buhay n'ya at sa career n'ya ay ang pagiging isang actress, at 'yan ay bahagi ng kanyang solo career pero ang group loyalty n'ya ay hindi mawawala. I mean, ang dami n'yang ginawang pelikula at drama, mula sa Unstoppable Marriage in 2008 to the latest drama Second Shot at Love in 2025, maging sa ginawa n'yang pelikula, I mean several movies were made by Sooyoung. And take note, she also made a Hollywood debut in the role of Katla Park in the John Wick trilogy movie, "Ballerina". Grabe talaga ang energy ni Sooyoung sa pag-arte n'ya maging sa telebisyon man o sa pelikula kahit hanggang Hollywood lang. And speaking of Hollywood, certified fan din s'ya ni Brad Pitt (kaya nag-shoutout si Brad Pitt sa kanya during an interview with her fellow member, Tiffany) pati ni Bruno Mars!!! Admit it or not, Sooyoung has the prettiest face in the group, even without makeup. At dahil sa kanyang unexceptional talent in singing, dancing even in acting, there's no denying that Sooyoung is the best member that we ever had in our entire life. At ngyon ay gusto ko ng ibahagi sa inyo ang dedication song ko para sa kanya.

This song is a heartfelt expression of love and longing. It tells the story of a person who initially didn't notice the beauty and enchantment of the one they love, but eventually falls deeply in love. The lyrics convey the turmoil and inner conflict he experiences as they try to understand and express their overwhelming emotions.

This song was released in 1992 through his Best compilation album of his songs, ito rin ay favorite ng masang Pilipino bilang bahagi ng kanyang karera sa music until he was passed away in 2015 due to colon cancer. Sampung taon na s'yang wala sa piling natin pero ang kanyang mga kanta ay mananatiling buhay sa puso't isipan natin so here's the song written, compsed and sung by the late Roel Cortez with the track entitled, "Iniibig Kita".

7. Yoona

We're nearly there because we have 2 more members to go!!! It's time to talk about Yoona, ang kaisa-isang artistahing anghel sa lupa mula sa lupon ng Girls' Generation. Nang dahil sa angelic n'yang mukha at mala-artista n'yang appeal, definitely magugulat kayo't mabibighani sa ethereal beauty n'ya. And just like Yuri and Sooyoung, artistahin din s'ya sa lahat ng group members. Although marami s'yang nagawang K-Dramas si Yoona that time, from Two Outs in the Ninth Inning in 2007 to her latest K-Drama series The Tyrant's Chef in 2025, I truly believe Yoona's acting prowess will surpass many generations. Even sa paggawa n'ya ng pelikula, ginawa rin n'ya 'yun for the sake of her fans, K-Drama addicts and moviegoers but her group loyalty still remains. At dahil sa kasikatan ni Yoona sa pagiging SNSD member at sa kanyang pag-arte, s'ya rin ay isang CF queen that can launch a thousand endorsements. Andami talagang produkto ang na-endorse ni Yoona in her solo career as an actress. And besides, s'ya rin ang center ng grupo!!! Grabe talaga si Yoona, ang isang anghel na naging sentro ng SNSD!!! At s'ya rin ang bukod-tanging member na hindi gumagamit ng social media, at naging host din s'ya ng KBS Gayo Daejukjae as MC Yoona. At gaya ng kapwa n'ya member na si Sunny, she also does aegyo, grabe talaga magpatawa si Yoona!!! Pati sa pagkain, matakaw din s'ya just like her fellow member Sooyoung. Sa lahat ng members ng SNSD na nakilala ko, tanging si Yoona lang ang center, an aegyo queen, a respected actress, a well-known singer and dancer, a CF queen and an MC and most of all, she shines like an angel, a spirit that won't let the SONEs go. And so for that, I would like to share a song I dedicate to Yoona herself.

This song is a romantic ballad about a person who sees their partner as an angel, describing them as a guiding light and source of comfort in their life.

This song was also released in 1992 through his first self-titled debut album and it was mostly played on all Easy-Listening radio stations, and it peaked No. 18 at the Billboard US Top 100 and No. 3 in the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts. Written by Miguel A. Morejon and Jon Secada himself and sung also by Jon Secada, here is his song entitled "Angel".

8. Seohyun

Yup, we saved the best until last. Our beloved maknae Seohyun is the last Girls' Generation member that I'm going to talk about right now. You know, ipinanganak si Seohyun sa Seoul, South Korea under her real name, Seo Ju-hyun, wala s'yang kapatid ni isa. Naging cast din s'ya through SM Casting System in 2003, kaya ang turing ng mga miyembro n'ya sa kanya, "Maknae", which means s'ya 'yung pinaka-bata sa grupo. Pero ang kina-aayawan n'ya sa tanang buhay n'ya ay ang kumain ng Hamburgers!!! Grabe naman si Seohyun, simpleng hamburger lang inaayawan n'ya?!? I don't know why she hates eating hamburgers, you know? Even unhealthy foods, 'yan ang ayaw kainin ni Seohyun. But the food she loves to eat was Sweet Potatoes or Goguma in Korean (o Kamote sa Tagalog). I mean she loves sweet potatoes but hates hamburgers, that's why sweet potatoes are healthy. And take note, s'ya rin ang pinakamatangkad sa grupo next to Sooyoung. And due to their performances on stage, d'yan madalas magkamali pero fighting pa rin s'ya. And you know what? She's also a fan of Hollywood actor Johnny Depp!!! Alam mo 'yun? I mean ang sabi n'ya ay ang ideal man n'ya si Depp. Of course, mahilig din sa favorite n'yang manga/doramang "Nodame Cantabile" and also, she loves to read books pero infairness hindi n'ya kayang basahin lahat. But the best part is nakipag-duet s'ya sa leader n'yang si Taeyeon sa kanta nilang "Can You Hear Me" as a soundtrack from Beethoven Virus. Bukod sa pagiging member ng Girls' Generation, si Seohyun din ay artistahin din gaya ng kapwa n'ya members na sina Yuri, Tiffany, Sooyoung at Yoona. I mean marami na ang mga K-Dramas na pinagbidahan n'ya. From her cameo role in Unstoppable Marriage in 2008 all the way through her latest drama "The First Night with the Duke in 2025 along with Ok Taecyeon of 2PM. Bukod sa mga K-Dramas n'ya, pinagbidahan din s'ya sa iilang mga pelikula gaya ng Holy Night Demon Hunters (2025), Love and Leashes (2022) at marami pang iba. At gaya ni Tiffany, si Seohyun ay isa ring musical theater actress at ang napagbidahan n'ya sa musical play ay ang Moon Embracing the Sun, Gone with the Wind and the Korean production of Mamma Mia. And I almost forgot, kabilang na si Seohyun sa SNSD sub-unit na TTS (TaeTiSeo) along with Taeyeon and Tiffany who made them famous from their single "Twinkle". Tunay ngang Seohyun ay walang kapantay pagdating sa pagkanta, pagsayaw, pag-arte at sa pagiging member ng Girls' Generation. Although nag-focus na s'ya sa kanyang acting career noong umalis s'ya sa SM Entertainment at sumali sa ibang agency, truly her group loyalty from SNSD will still remain. So right now, I'm going to dedicate this song to Seohyun, but this time I'm gonna take you back memory lane in the '70s.

The song and its lyrics revolve around a person seeking reassurance from their partner about the depth of their love, amidst external challenges and temptations.

Originally written by the Gibb Brothers, this song was also used as a soundtrack from the movie "Saturday Night Fever" in 1977, giit ni Barry Gibb na kay Yvonne Elliman ang kantang 'yan pero naisipan ni Robert Stigwood na pakantahin ng magkakapatid ang kantang 'yan. Pero kinasuhan din ng original composer na si Ronald Selle ang magkakapatid na kinopya daw diumano 'yung melody ng kantang "Let It End" noong 1983 pero hindi nila pinabor ang kaso n'ya so the federal judge ruled in favour of the brothers. And it is became a massive hit from the '70s until now at cinover din ito ng iilang mga artists whether from foreign or OPM. So now here's the Bee Gees in their 1977 soundtrack album from the movie "Saturday Night Fever", and the track is entitled "How Deep Is Your Love".

Well there you have it!!! 8 Girls' Generation members and the songs I dedicate for them. Take note, all of the songs I've mentioned was my personal compilation playlist for them but if you want to listen all of the songs mentioned in my blog, please do check out my Spotify playlist.

CONCLUSION:

Nagsimula man sila sa 9 trainess na sumikat din kinalaunan noong 2007, ang Girls' Generation ay hindi mapantayan ng ibang K-Pop girl groups at isa rin itong global phenomenon kahit patuloy nang sumikat ang mga indibidwal na miyembro at malakas pa rin ang kanilang group identity. That is why Girls' Generation is the living legend when it comes to K-Pop, and K-Pop is part of our everyday lives until now. Because 9 girls were debuted with a dream, and until now, their legacy will remain forever and ever because these girls will shine even brighter than ever, from "Into the New World" to global stages. And in their 18th year, we will always say,

지금은, 소녀시대! (Jigeum-eun, Sonyeoshidae!)

앞으로도, 소녀시대! (Ap-eurodo, Sonyeoshidae!)

영원히, 소녀시대! (Yeongwon-hi, Sonyeoshidae!)

소녀시대, 사랑해!!! (Sonyeoshidae, saranghae!!!)

Translation:

Now, Girls' Generation!

From now on, Girls' Generation!

Forever, Girls' Generation!

Girls' Generation, I love you!!!

That is my blog for today, and to the Girls of this Generation, I would like to greet you a Happy 18th Anniversay. This has been Kuya Rams, may God bless you and keep you, thanks for spending time with you all and before I end this blog, I'm going to dedicate this last song for all of you especially the members.

This song was released in 1996 from their 3rd album, Coming Up, here's Suede with the song "Beautiful Ones". Until my next blog on Tumblr, to God be the Highest Glory!!!

TOAST! / Sooyoung & Gong Myung

You’re just coming back from throwing the first pitch at a baseball stadium, right? When it comes to baseball stadium, it’s all about beer. But in reality, you’re known as one of the Girls’ Generation members who’s not really good at drinking.

I’m an alcohol trash. (laughs) When i drink my face gets red, and i get sleepy, i have much more energy when i don’t drink.

Then, what kind of person could be your drinking buddy?

Someone i can have a good conversation with. And someone who likes dramas and movies too. Someone who’s really competent in their own field. I find myself wondering “How is this person so good at their job? What are they thinking while living?” Having a drink with someone like that is fun and time just flies by.

So, what kind of role do you usually have at drinking party?

My role is someone who reacts well and makes sure people get home safely. (laughs) Aside from drama set dinners, i rarely drink in large groups. Even in those gatherings i’m not the type to liven up the mood or lead the conversations.

When was the time in your life that you drank the most?

It was when the drama <Not Others> aired for the first time. After the first episode, we all drank together and i was so happy that i overdid it a bit.

That’s a team dinner that actors usually experienced. Do you enjoy those times?

It’s a meaningful time because it’s our last time to be lingering around and get to ‘clink’ glasses with different teams. There are many teams that you don’t see often on set, people who gave great help to the production but you couldn’t get close to. It’s a time where we can greet everyone properly.

What was the set of <Second Shot at Love> like? Sooyoung and Gong Myung are the lead roles that’s also a labelmates.

I call him ‘Myung’ and he calls me ‘Noona’ before we worked together we would just exchange greetings while passing each other. Myung has such a great personality that being on set was so much fun to me.

The drama sounds like a story about ‘Geum-joo’ ‘quitting’ alcohol. What was the story like from Sooyoung’s perspective?

My character Geum-joo and Myung’s character Eui-joon were really close friends while they were in college, but i get cut off by Eui-joon and we meet again later. The writer focused on the story of quitting drinking but it was more the story of wounds and growths to me. Alcohol plays a significant role in that process. I believe everyone has an addiction, it just varies in degree. It could be alcohol, SNS, relationships, or work. All these things that keep us from looking inside ourselves? In <Second Shot at Love> it’s alcohol. It’s a drama that offers comfort and empathy to people who use these things as an escape and can’t face themselves.

Do you have any habits of setting a boundaries by yourself?

Let’s not spend too much time on SNS and my phone. While being on set we have quite few breaks, i always open my script first instead of my phone. And when i’m at home, i purposely keep my phone at a distance. When it’s physically farther away, i look at it less often.

Bad habits can also affect our relationships with people we love. Isn’t this drama also about that?

It show scenes on how people you love can be hurt or affected by addictions that you didn’t even realize you had. What i liked most about Geum-joo is that she had a clear growth. There are a lot of times that we’re so overwhelmed by the world and living our lives without much thinking, we don’t even realize we’re hurting.

It seems like you are attracted to the keyword of “growth”. Has there ever been a moment when you felt like you truly grew yourself as this character?

When i was on the stage in a play. It’s not like “I’ve grown as an actor”, how should i say this, it’s more like become more bold? (laughs) I think working with such great seniors really healed me and gave me strength. That’s why doing the play was the time i liked the most.

If we are looking for something in common in the works that you’ve participated, the roles are often those independent woman. Always seems confident. Do you consider the message of a project when choosing it?

When i read a script, i’m naturally drawn to characters who are independent, enterprising and proactive. I always ask, “What kind of growth does she has?” “What message is this project trying to tell?” I want to tell meaningful stories. In this drama, the director clearly told me “This is a show that sends a message on how lenient our society is about drinking.”

In this drama, is there anything other than acting that you’ve been paying more attention to?

I did a lot of research on alcohol addiction. I also listened to stories from people who do counseling. I heard it’s best for those with addiction to completely quit and develop a new drinking habits.

Haha, at this point isn’t this a public service drama about drinking in moderation?

I think we might actually get a call from related associations. (laughs) our drama is a little bit different from the usual dramas that deal with alcohol so far! For people with bad drinking habits, you might have a lot of thoughts while watching our drama. I hope this drama will let people know that when you’re struggling there are people who will reach out to you. Even if there’s no one like that in your life, while watching you might think “Someone like that might be around me someday?” or “Maybe someone already is and i just haven’t noticed it.”

Still, since it’s a melodrama we hope Geum-joo and Eui-joon end up together! (laughs) What’s one thing you think we need to keep in mind when dating?

I think it’s important to speak kindly. People’s words all carry emotions and once words leave your mouth, you can’t take it back. It’s important to be mindful of your intentions and to speak well.

Have you thought about the feelings between Eui-joon and Geum-joo?

Eui-joon is the one who reaches out to me when i feel completely alone in the world. And when he’s struggling, i’m the one who reaches out to him. I think the charm of their relationship is the strong emotional bond where they became each other’s saviors.

We’ve been meeting you as an actress. How satisfied are you with your career as an actress right now?

From the position of someone who has to be chosen, the fact that i have a project to work on is already incredibly fulfilling. I’m satisfied by the fact that there is someone who want to cast me and who want to work with me. After i finished a project, i used to wait because i didn’t know when the next project will come to me, but now i’m just so grateful that I’m already filming something new.

It’s good to have the next project lined up. Your upcoming role in the <John Wick> spin-off <Ballerina> is also highly anticipated.

It’d be even better to have the next next next projects lined up. I’d be so grateful but i have never experienced something like a next next next project in my life. (laughs)

ps. when taking out these translations please give credit to us or this blog. thank you 💗

“THE TEMPERATURE OF SOOYOUNG”

Choi Sooyoung seems to give off a carefree aura.

Though she describes herself as easygoing and simple, she speaks clearly and straightforwardly when it comes to the responsibilities that lie before her. The image of early summer that comes to mind somehow overlaps with Sooyoung, and the drama <Second Shot at Love> in which she transforms into a charming alcohol-lover, premiers this early summer.

Q. <W Korea> We heard that you’re recently very immersed in tea ceremonies.

Choi Sooyoung: Yes, I find it fun. It’s fascinating how the flavor of the tea can change depending on the state of mind at the time of brewing.

Q. Was there a particular moment that sparked your interest?

It’s a habit I picked up while filming <Second Shot at Love>. I wasn’t getting much sleep. I guess there was a lot of pressure.

Q. It was your first title role in a drama since debut, correct?

That’s right. After shooting, I’d come home and feel like I couldn’t turn off the switch right away. So I tried all sorts of things—taking warm showers, listening to ASMR, avoiding reading scripts at least two hours before I sleep. I built a night time routine, and tea became a part of that routine. I savored each drink, and both my body and mind felt at peace.

Q While the tea steeps, people often use that time to process thoughts that are put away from daily life. But unlike that, it became a moment to clear your mind instead.

Exactly. I actually tried not to think during that time. I’ve always been someone who multitasks. I constantly feel the need to be productive, it’s in my personality. But through tea, I think I learned what it truly means to spend time without a goal.

Q. <Second Shot at Love> tells the story of ‘Geum-joo’, a well-known alcohol-lover, who unexpectedly reunites with her first love—someone who absolutely despises drinking, and the romance that follows. From the very beginning, the project felt like it was all about alcohol, and it came as no surprise to learn that the script was written by Myung Soo-hyun, the writer of tvN’s <Rude Miss Young-ae> and <Drinking Solo>.

Writer Myung Soo-hyun’s words capture the full spectrum of human emotion—joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. And this piece is no exception. I felt like a rare script had come to me. I remember thinking, “Have I ever read something that reveals every aspect of a character this thoroughly?” At least for me, the answer was no. Geum-joo is an auto mechanic who works hard and there are joys and sorrows that she feels. She relies on alcohol as a form of avoidance, and was forced to confront herself in the place she tried to escape to. From there, she slowly begins to accept who she is, and in doing so, learns to embrace the people around her as well. At a glance, it may seem like a chaotic, comic story about Geum-joo, but if you look closer, you’ll find a detailed and gradual journey of growth. I feel incredibly lucky to have encountered such a script.

Q. What was the process of approaching the character Geum-joo like for you?

First of all, the script was filled with stage directions; shouting, smiling brightly, making exaggerated expressions, and so on. To be honest, it took me some time to fully take in Geum-joo. In real life, I’m very calm. I’m not the mischievous or high-energy type. So there was definitely a period of wandering before the lines started to feel natural. Every actor has a different way of approaching a character. For me, I always start by thinking about the character’s job. You can learn a lot of information from one’s job. Since Geum-joo is an auto mechanic, I imagined she’d be active, unafraid of getting her hands dirty, and likely to be competitive since she was young. But at the same time, I didn’t picture her as someone who would roughly carry around tires or plop down anywhere or stomp around. I imagined her as someone meticulous, someone who handles each car part the way a musician treats her instrument. I thought about how a woman like Geum-joo would set herself apart in an industry largely dominated by male mechanics.

Q. A mechanic who handles cars like musical instruments. Now that I hear about it, I can see the character come to life.

Yes. Honestly, I think Geum-joo would have done well as a doctor, or even an artist. I imagined her as someone who chose this profession because she genuinely loves machines, and is fascinated by how individual parts come together to make a car run. And once I had that in mind, I began to vaguely understand why she couldn’t help being dependent on alcohol. She must have been sensitive, working with machines. She probably worked hard to adapt to a male-dominated workplace, pushing herself to drink alcohol to fit in socially. It made her think she really couldn’t live without alcohol. That thought gave me a somewhat clearer outline of who she is. And the Geum-joo I imagined from the script alone was someone who, on her way home from work, would wear the kind of unique clothes that make people go, “Wait, she dresses like that when she’s off duty?”

Q. In this drama, Geum-joo is another strong, independent female character, like Seo Dan-ah in JTBC’s <Run On> (2020) and Kim Jin-hee in ENA’s <Not Others> (2023). Looking back, have you ever wondered why these kinds of roles keep coming to you?

Because I choose those roles. Of course, not every role is like that. But I’m not drawn to stories where characters are used as equipment. ‘Seo Dan-ah’ was a CEO of a top sports agency who didn’t tolerate mistakes, whether in business or in her personal life. ‘Kim Jin-hee’ was a police patrol team leader who always spoke her mind. They’re all people who try to take responsibility for their own lives. I guess it’s also because of my personality. I don’t like people who are bad at their jobs. (laughs) So, I don’t want to play someone who’s bad at what they do. It’s fine if they’re clumsy at first, as long as they develop. But I think the character should have at least a sense of certainty in what they do.

Q. Those characters also had a very clear sense of what they liked and disliked. Would you say you’re someone who’s also honest about what you want to say and knows exactly what you want?

Oh, not at all. I only started to be aware of that in my early thirties. I started asking questions like “What do I really want?” or “Am I doing this because I like this?” only after I turned thirty. I used to have no opinion, even when choosing the menu for lunch. There were many times where I’d just go along and say “I’m fine with whatever” and move on. I think it comes from spending so many years as a group during my Girls’ Generation days. Maybe I didn’t even realize I had options to choose. One day, Tiffany was ordering coffee and asked me what I wanted. I said, “Anything’s fine.” And she immediately said this, “No. Hot or iced? If iced, how much ice? How many pumps of syrup? Do you want milk? Regular milk or Lactose-free? Oat milk? Almond milk?” I remember thinking, “Why make life so complicated?” But then she told me this—that I need to know exactly what I want, that there are always options, and I have to make a choice.

Q. Did that coffee order incident change you?

Yes, something as trivial as ordering coffee did (laughs). It made me start to become more aware. Since then, I’ve been trying to build the habit of thinking more specifically. For example, instead of just asking for “something to drink,” I’d say, “I’d like an orange juice with a bit of ice.” It starts with little things like that.

Q. Would you say you’re not someone with a strong opinion?

That’s right. I’m usually the type to think, “That person might be right.” But that doesn’t mean I lack conviction. But that sense of certainty just didn’t come all at once. It’s something that formed through a lot of experiences. Last year, I released my first Japanese solo album, and I wrote the lyrics to the title track, “Unstoppable.” There’s a line that goes: “Data of failures and successes. Drawing the highest arc. Let’s pursue the ideal.” Through the many ups and downs I’ve experienced over many years, a kind of data accumulated inside me. But rather than turning into stubbornness, I feel like it gave me freedom. The more time passes, the more confident I become, but in a way that lets me change gears easily whenever I need to.

Q. <Unstoppable> was your first solo album 22 years after your debut. At the time, you wrote this on social media: “At this point in life where I could just fake being a professional and no one would notice, it also hurts to take on a new challenge again, right now. I was scared as much as I was happy.” What was behind those words?

Honestly, if you don’t take any risks, you won’t be exposed. But the moment you try, people will notice. There was a time when I deliberately held back from showing everything. I was scared. When the solo album offer came in, people around me questioned it, “Why now, when your acting career is going so well? And why release it in Japan?” And of course, I asked myself the same thing. Why is this opportunity coming now? If I stay quiet, I can at least fly under the radar. So what do I get in return for exposing myself like this? But in the end, I thought: “Why should I hold back if this is something I want to do?” And I didn’t want it to end with just trying. I wanted to go all the way to being judged for it. Regardless of the outcome, I think I gained so much. After the album came out, I received so many messages. What touched me the most were the ones that said, “That was such a cool challenge. I understand why you did this.” That made it all worth it.

Q. What did <Unstoppable> leave for you?

It made me think deeply and often about making choices. Honestly, I’m at an age where many things change depending on the decisions I make. So I ask myself which choices reflect me the most. I boldly wrote the lyrics of ‘Unstoppable’ that says, “The story I choose,” and yet there are still a lot of things that I’m afraid of. I feel like I'm not a brave person and I learned that I need courage. That was something I felt through releasing the album, and it gave me the energy to film <Second Shot at Love>. To take on my first lead role, that courage was absolutely essential.

Q. Then what kind of courage did you show in <Second Shot at Love>?

I wanted to try acting that truly does something. I think it’s because of my personality. I’ve always been someone who is cautious about putting in too much effort. I always thought, “Be diligent, but don’t work too hard.” Sometimes, I felt uncomfortable watching myself act intensely on screen. At one point, I preferred acting in less intense roles. But while filming <Second Shot at Love>, I wanted to try acting where people could read my feelings immediately from my expressions. Because the acting that makes viewers not want to change the channel means making even one more expression, showing just a little more. I filmed with the mindset of really going all out. After having done this once, I think my fear lessened a bit.

Q. You have big news recently, right? You’re entering Hollywood with <Ballerina>, a spin-off of the John Wick series. The film premieres in North America this June and will be released worldwide. How did you get involved in this project?

Right, when I heard I got cast, I thought, “No way. How could I be?” Honestly, I hesitated a lot. It felt like a huge challenge but also small at the same time, and I found myself worrying a lot in front of that challenge. It was like, “I’m scared of the waves crashing at my feet, so I won’t even go.” That was exactly what I felt. While I was worrying about how the film and the feedback would come out, the one thing that pushed me to take on the challenge was the idea of being completely alone overseas, with no one else around. The thought of facing that head-on by myself was very appealing. As actors, we usually receive a lot of care from people around us. There’s always a car waiting for us in front of the house, people handling tough tasks on our behalf. So we can sometimes forget we’re human. We get a little spoiled. But being an actor means we have to portray people we see around us, yet we rarely get to live our life. I felt I really needed that time to live like a person. So I jumped into this project without looking back.

Q. How was the experience filming alone?

I cried (laughs). Because I wanted to go home. But I kept reminding myself as I put the kimchi, side dishes, and ramen that my mom packed into the hotel fridge, “Sooyoung, now you’re really living here without anyone’s help.” But somehow, I quickly got used to the life there. I went alone to the riverside where people warned me it was dangerous, opened a bottle of wine, and watched the sunset. I’m actually quite simple. I might not have much courage, but once the situation is set, I manage to find happiness there. I’m really a simple and fragile creature (laughs).

Q. Through <Ballerina>, You’re about to meet an audience you haven’t encountered before . Aren’t you curious about how they’ll perceive your acting?

Honestly, rather than curiosity, my first thought was that I must not become a burden to the project. It’s more than enough for me if the audience says, “Who is she?” So, I even went to the set with my hair dyed, which no one asked me to do. When they said actors could pitch ideas about the visual concept, I immediately suggested orange hair and they coolly agreed. At that time, there was a strong momentum in myself, like “I can do everything they ask!” So, I tried to absorb as much as possible on set. I even went to the set, sitting in corners on days without my shooting to observe how things were done. The team found me a bit overwhelming and said, “Yeah, you don’t have to come here,” (laughs).

Q. With two very different projects about to be released, you must be living in excitement right now. If you had to describe your current self in one sentence, what would it be?

There’s a phrase that fits me perfectly; a cheerful pessimist. On set, I always listen to the song “Rule of the Princess”. It’s a song that spreaded as a meme on social media. It goes like, “Yes, life has always been tough, but live like a princess today. What's so tough? Just be a princess. I’m precious, but so is everyone else. Everyone here is a princess!” Listening to that song, I keep reminding myself of these words (laughs). With that mindset, I can handle any situation anywhere.

Q. Lastly, can you share three secrets about Sooyoung?