Vivo the SONE

Nayoung (Kwon Yuri), who has lived in a small beach community, finds satisfaction in caring for her family and the neighbors. Everyone comes for lunch, and on days when new news is received, a party is organized. However, the family's thoughts gradually began to shift. Her mother (Gil Haeyeon) want to sell their cherished home, and her younger brother (Hyun Wooseok) tells her that he will move to Seoul to live independently when he turns 20. Nayoung, who perceives the new change as a hazy concern, want to continue living as before.

In fact, Nayoung and the actress who portrays her, Kwon Yuri, are polar opposites. Nayoung, in contrast to her, who debuted with the girl group Girls' Generation and went through many stages of self-expansion such as starring in movies, dramas, and theater plays, wishes to live a humdrum life. However, there are some similarities between the two. When the bowling ball she hits with all her might flies away as though by chance, Yuri meticulously collects her cherished moments, much like Nayoung, who connects with the moment when she leaps like a dolphin across the broad sea. She discussed the blurry border between Nayoung and Yuri.

Q: You chose (to be a part of) an independent film. How did you first become acquainted with the film <Dolphin>?

A: I've always had a strong interest in independent films. I used to love watching it, and after graduating from Chung-Ang University's Department of Theater, I was able to watch the activities of my seniors and juniors all around me. Indie film's free-spirited message is appealing to me. So, when I was offered the role of 'Nayoung' in <Dolphin>, I saw it as a golden opportunity. Above all, I chose this position because I wanted to work with senior Gil Haeyeon. I'm her long-time fan.

Q: Nayoung is a person who is resistant to change and wishes to remain in her current state for a long period of time. Her greatest value is the entire family staying in the same house without change.

A: That's why, at first, I found it difficult to grasp and embrace Nayoung (as a character). However, there was a hint in the scenario regarding her attitude. Nayoung's parents were involved in a car accident while visiting the area as a tourist. Because of the loss of her parents, her yearning for a stable life and the steadfast support of those around her was understood.

Q: Actress Yuri, who is used to new experiences such as acting, theater play, broadcasting, and album (music) activities, as well as overseas expansion, appears to be very far away from Nayoung.

A: To be honest, reading the scenario made me really frustrated. (Laughter) I needed to become close to Nayoung, but there was no intersection (between Yuri and Nayoung), and her way of thinking about and embracing life was quite different from mine. So I stuck around director Bae Doori and asked a lot of questions, including why Nayoung made this decision and whether Nayoung could appear more approachable (on the story). I gradually came to understand the character of Nayoung after conversing with the director. I felt compassion for other family as I became involved in her emotions and my affection for her deepened.

Q: You collaborated on your first feature film with director Bae Doori, who has directed short films such as <폐점시간/Closing Time> (2009), <놀이/Play> (2010), and <어젯밤/Last Night> (2012). Given your similar age range, there must be a lot of things you can relate to.

A: When I look at Nayoung, I can't help but think of director Bae Doori. Senior Gil Haeyeon also said, "The director is ‘Nayoung’, after all!".  (Laughter) In fact, the director said the inspiration came to her while bowling at a bowling alley. During a team dinner one day, I asked the director which qualities of my appearance made me appear suitable for Nayoung (the role). When we first met, I was wearing a white T-shirt with a bare face, and she remarked I looked like Nayoung, who was firm and reliable. I still can't forget those words.

Q: Bowling is the only new thing Nayoung has accepted, and it provides an outlet for emotional release. The film had numerous bowling scenes.

A: I'm not particularly good at bowling. The ball will fall into a ditch no matter which way I roll it. That is why I took the time to learn how to bowl. Fortunately, Nayoung's character in the movie was only learning to bowl, so she didn't have to play like a pro. Nayoung enjoys bowling not because she is good at it or because she likes sports in general. She like it because it allows her to feel emotionally stable while releasing uncontrollable anger or sadness. This is also why Nayoung interacts with bowling repeatedly in the movie.

Q: If Nayoung has bowling, what does Kwon Yuri have?

A: This is a very philosophical question. (Laughter) If Nayoung erupts in emotions through bowling, I get intensely immersed in a certain moment and reach a complete lull when I let (something) out. For example, when I sing on stage, stand on the stage at a concert, or perform a play. All negative thoughts disappear as I completely immerse myself in the moment and come back to reality. I'm so happy that that's my job. Of course, it is equally challenging. Because it's so precious.

Q: Nayoung, who wants to stay at home, and Haesoo (Shim Heeseob), a wealthy outsider who wants to settle down, ultimately share the same feelings. What were your thoughts on the two's relationship?

A: Nayoung and Haesoo's connection is filled with a wide range of feelings, including compassion, empathy, comfort, and sadness. Initially, justice did not go well. There were also times when I wondered, "Are the two of you having a fling or what?" However, the two's relationship cannot be interpreted solely from a romantic standpoint. It's more like a partnership where each other serves as an emergency exit and ventilation. Only when I looked at it from a distance could I finally see what Nayoung and Haesoo's relationship was like.

Q: Even her modest attire reveals the aspect of Nayoung that dislikes rapid change.

A: I believe it is critical to reveal a person through visual information. After much thought, I decided to combine many items of the same clothes in different versions. This is because she is a person who has a strong attachment to antiques. That’s why I wore a lot of my real (own) clothes. The watch is her crown jewel. Nayoung keeps the gift watch her mother gave her to the point where she sleeps without taking it off. In fact, it is a watch that does not match Nayoung's usual style at all. It's so old and classy. After being attached to her like a doll, when she took off her watch, Nayoung's growth and change were well revealed.

Q: Many people are overwhelmed by rapid change in a social environment that stresses and encourages self-development through terms like "personal branding," "side project," and "fresh trend." What type of strength can <Dolphin> offer on such individuals?

A: This question appears to run throughout the film. Furthermore, as a result of our exposure on SNS, we are constantly comparing ourselves to others. The pace of change is really fast, but because individuals lack the core (to hold on to), it makes them anxious and difficult. I struggled with this as well and came up with my own solution. If I want to compare myself, I simply compare myself to yesterday. It is important not to compare yourself to others who are far away or to yourself in the distant future. In reality, Nayoung in the beginning of the film and Nayoung at the end are similar. This is a crucial point. We're getting better every day, but no noticeable improvement can be seen in a single day. Everyone must go through the process of accepting that point.

Original Source:

I suffered from varicose veins since I was young.. The surgery went well.

Kwon Yuri recently underwent surgery due to a recurrence of varicose veins in the lower extremities. Varicose veins are a disease that causes pain and swelling in the lower extremities due to stagnant blood flow. Kwon Yuri, who had completed the surgery, spoke cheerfully about varicose veins in the lower extremities. She stated, "The varicose vein has recurred. This is 70% genetic, and to prevent it, you need to avoid standing for a lengthy time or wearing high heels. It is a disease that nurses and chefs usually suffer from. I had varicose veins when I was really young and underwent surgery. I was told not to dance and not to stand too much at the time, but does that make sense? I aspired to be a singer." She reflected on the past.

"Recently, my varicose veins recurred, and I underwent surgery, so the pain in my legs went away, and the swelling while sleeping has improved," Kwon Yuri explained. “The pain has completely subsided. I used to suffer for a month fifteen years ago, but I believe medical procedures are rapidly improving. I got better in one day," she said. "People suffering from a similar disease to mine appear to be able to live a more comfortable and healthy life after I announced it like that. Honestly, isn’t it a disease that (many people) have no idea how to treat it simply because they have it?  

Always with a lively attitude, she gained popularity last year by appearing in Disney+'s <The Zone>. At the time, the unfamiliar combination of her with Yoo Jaesuk and Lee Kwangsoo brought freshness. Kwon Yuri said, "All I had to do was to really immerse myself in the set. As Jaesuk oppa and Kwangsoo oppa went into the set together, the real side of me just came out. I played with great concentration." She added, “Even in my opinion, the combination of us three was unique. It was so much fun. It was difficult and I had to focus on clearing the mission. The combination was so good and the oppas are so friendly. And honestly, isn’t Yoo Jaesuk oppa is the ‘God-Yoo’? But he was really friendly and nice. If I can, I want to continuously do <The Zone>.”

She went on, "The ghost episode was absolutely fantastic. They appear to have cast excellent actors. Actually, even between Girls' Generation, I belong as a member who has a lot of fears. But I wasn't a scaredy cat when I entered this space. It was amusing." She continued, “When I was on a plane before, a mother approached me and asked, 'Can my child greet you?' So, after I said it was okay, the mother brought the child. The mother’s words were remarkable. She said, ‘This is the unnie who hit Lee Kwangsoo oppa's head.’” She also added, “Also, when I appeared on MBC's <My Teenage Girl>, many people recognized me simply as an actor rather than a member of Girls' Generation. I was astounded by this.”

Kwon Yuri will start this year with the tvN entertainment program <The Genius Paik>. The program depicts the process of running a Korean restaurant in a barren land of Korean food with Baek Jongwon, Korea's top restaurant management expert. She said, "I like cooking, but it's different from business. Baek Jongwon taught me a lot of know-how. "The true business is a business where we have to remove all the rank insignia," she said. Increasing the anticipation, she added, " We really had meetings every week and prepared hard."

Original source :

Interview by Ahn Yoonji reporter from Star News (Link to the original interview is available below)

Jung Ilwoo, from <Bossam> to <Good Job>.. Now the sense of comradeship is developed.

The ENA drama <Good Job> is a heroic-romantic investigative drama involving a man and woman with special abilities: a conglomerate detective and a job seeker with super vision. <Good Job>, the follow-up drama to <Extraordinary Attorney Woo>, broke through the pressure and recorded the highest viewership rating of 3.1%, showing a heated response. Above all, the most talked about was the title of the drama. Just like how it being revealed in the release press conference, the title <Good Job> drew attention as it was known as Kwon Yuri's idea.

According to Kwon Yuri, "This was also my first experience with it. I didn't approach it with the intention of renaming the drama. I had a lot of experience releasing albums as part of Girls' Generation. I have done a lot of work where the story is vividly remembered with just one photo and one title, so I wanted (the title of) our drama to have a strong emotional impact," She stated. "I considered it from the perspective of the viewer, and I believe I listed 25 titles while speaking with the management team. The work was a lot of fun. I also spoke with Jung Ilwoo, the director, and the writer. I believe the production team listened with an open mind." she elaborated.

As a result, she poured a great deal of affection into <Good Job>, particularly for the role of Don Sera. Don Sera possesses superhuman vision and is a 'professional any job catcher' who is willing to accept any job offer that comes her way. Due to a series of events, she becomes involved with Eun Seonwoo (Jung Ilwoo) and embarks on a tumultuous romance. According to Kwon Yuri, "It was fascinating to meet a character who possesses supernatural abilities. Using supernatural powers to help someone in reality was progressive and cool. The character changes in every episode. This is actually an actor's fantasy and dream. It was also the reason why I wanted to be an actor. So it was attractive."

In the drama, Don Sera tries to do her job perfectly, but gives a laugh with her sloppy side. This kind of appearance seemed to be very similar to Kwon Yuri in personality. She stated, "I am extremely grateful that you saw me in that light. When I play a character, I take what's inside me and use it, as all actors do. So it's possible they felt that way. When my coworkers see my usual appearance, they usually tell me, 'Use this when acting.'. I think that’s why I gave the impression that the synchronization rate (between Yuri and Don Sera) is high, making Don Sera and I appear well-matched."

The meeting of Jung Ilwoo and Kwon Yuri is the most unique aspect of <Good Job>. The two had previously collaborated in the MBN drama Bossam> and met again in the drama <Good Job>. There were obvious concerns surrounding them at the time of the initial casting confirmation, but the two demonstrated a new affinity through flawless collaboration. It received such a positive response that some speculated, "The 'Bossam' couple was reincarnated". Jung Ilwoo had previously expressed similar concerns, but he later admitted, "(The role) has a different social status than the previous one, and the new character is a conglomerate and a detective rather than a troublemaker. I assumed that the resolution of the romance that I could depict would be significantly different."

Kwon Yuri also said, "Honestly, I had some concerns regarding the casting. There were many people who thought well of <Bossam>, so I wondered what I should do if the good memories fade because I don't do well (in <Good Job>)? But come to think of it, among the dramas I enjoyed watching, there were seniors who had partnerships several times. Like actors Jisung and Hwang Jungeum, for example. I opened my heart because I expected such a path to exist," she stated. "I really wanted to do well after listening to my co-actors and directors who believed in what Don Sera had. Also, because we had previously worked together, I believe I could act comfortably," she recalled the filming location at the time.

“After working on a project together, the depth of the relation changes. Especially in historical dramas. I (with Jung Il-woo) developed a combat power and comradeship. So it felt like we had a really different and meaningful chemistry. It's really easy and happy to do a new work with a colleague who has this mindset. It was easy because we understood each other a lot"

Not only Jung Ilwoo but also Kwon Yuri had action scenes in Good Job. Especially in the final episode, when Don Sera is kidnapped violently. "There were so many male actors, and (Jung) Ilwoo is good at action (scenes)," Kwon Yuri said. I simply did everything as I was instructed. The kidnapping scene was horrifying and terrifying, but it all worked out thanks to the skilled method. Ilwoo and I talked a lot on the phone, but instead of saying "Hi," we said "So regarding this scene..." as soon as we answered the phone and talked about acting.

Original source :

Interview by Ahn Yoonji reporter from Star News (Link to the original interview is available below)

Tears after three-wins in AAA, rewarding feeling after arduous activities

People say that, "If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.", but Kwon Yuri have done it. Through Girls' Generation 15th anniversary activities, she looked familiar as 'singer Kwon Yuri'. Then she stood as 'actor Kwon Yuri' through dramas. At this point, it seems like she does not need any other modifiers. Kwon Yuri, who completed her career solely through her own name, stood in front of the camera again.

Kwon Yuri, who debuted as a member of Girls' Generation in August 2007, rose to prominence as a main actress after appearing in supporting roles and special appearances in dramas such as <Unstoppable Marriage> and <Fashion King> while also promoting as a singer. She later appeared in OCN <Neighborhood Hero>, SBS <Defendant>, MBC <Dae Jang Geum is Watching>, MBN <Bossam>, ENA <Good Job>, and many more. In particular, she met actor Jung Ilwoo in <Bossam> and <Good Job> in 2021 and 2022, and they showcased a strong acting cooperation.

Since she has a solid acting career, it has become natural for her to receive awards as an actor. Kwon Yuri, who won the Best Acting Award at the 6th Asian Artist Awards (AAA) in 2021, received three awards in the 7th Asian Artist Awards in Japan (AAA) in 2022 for ‘Best Asia Celebrity-Television’, ‘Best Actor’, and ‘AAA Best Achievement’ categories. Kwon Yuri, who has been doing personal schedules since 2022 AAA, recently spoke with Star News about the award.

Kwon Yuri, who shed tears after winning the Best Acting Award at 2021 AAA, said, "I cried a lot again this time. This award wasn't just for me; it was for our entire team. I was grateful because it was an honorable award given to the actors (on the projects), company employees, and management teams who worked hard," she explained. "I'm just thankful that there are people who support me and that I can enjoy this moment of honor."

When being asked if she is used to winning trophies as she receives awards every time as a singer or actor, Kwon Yuri said, "The feeling is always new because each award and the timing of receiving it are different." She said, "Especially last year, we did a lot of activities in a tight schedule. So it was physically very tasking. The weight of Girls' Generation's 15th anniversary activities and the responsibility of leading the drama <Good Job> felt heavy. I felt like I was being rewarded by such a big award.”

In particular, <Good Job> is a work that has been filmed for quite a long time. The script was changed in the middle, and there were also difficult shooting sessions. "Honestly, everyone who shoots the drama has one heart and one mind," Kwon Yuri said. “We hoped that this drama would go well, and while the pre-production process can be difficult, we want (the drama) to be well-conveyed in some way. We all discussed a lot fiercely. I am grateful that the writer, director, and production company all completed it well.”

Original source :

Interview by Ahn Yoonji reporter from Star News (Link to the original interview is available below)

On March 31st, the orchestra version of Girls' Generation's debut and mega-hit single will be released.

The single will be released on various music sites at 6 p.m. on the 31st as a collaboration between SM Classics, a classic label of SM Entertainment (hereinafter referred to as SM), and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. The music video will also available on YouTube via the SMTOWN account.

The orchestra rendition of ITNW transforms the original song's bright & hopeful mood into a colorful & rich orchestral sound, including woodwind & brass instruments, to present a new charm.

Furthermore, by sampling Sir Edward Elgar's <Pomp and Circumstance March>, a well-known piece of classical music, at the beginning & second half of the song, it is expected to generate a warm response as it adds meaning to musical praise for the path that Girls' Generation, the 'K-pop Legend Girl Group,' has walked.

Also, the music video for the orchestra version of <Into the New World> is likely to catch people's attention because it not only features a grand performance by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, but it also includes clips from Girls' Generation's past music videos and stage performances to look back on memories.

As part of its content business, SM Classics wants to grow a number of businesses, such as arranging and performing K-pop in different ways that sound like classical music.

Original article by E-daily Korea

Girls’ Generation that everyone protected, a touching 15th anniversary promotion activities

Last year, Kwon Yuri (along with Girls’ Generation) released the 7th full album, <Forever 1>, to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Girls' Generation's debut. <Forever 1> is a full album that was released after about 5 years and contains a total of 10 songs with various charms, including the title song of the same name. The title song, <Forever 1>, is a pop dance song with a dynamic development and an energetic melody, and Girls' Generation's unique cool singing brings a festival-like exciting atmosphere. After wrapping up the 15th anniversary promotion activities, Yuri said, "It was a 15th anniversary where I realized a lot of things, and I am thankful to the fans. The reason all of this was possible was because the fans stood together and protected the Girls' Generation name. I was moved by the fact that they supported me a lot and gathered strength (for us). As expected, the members also felt the same way.".

When questioned about whether she had imagined her current appearance (and that of Girls' Generation) at the beginning of her debut, Kwon Yuri replied, "Although I never specifically imagined it, I did abstractly think that they are teammates with whom I could spend the rest of my life and that we had the power (to do so). I'm so lucky (to be able to meet with the members). It's particularly special that none of us met because we wanted to be friends, nor did we meet at school. It's a close-knit bond that the sky, or even the universe has connected to my life."

Girls' Generation participated in 'SMTOWN LIVE 2022: SMCU EXPRESS @HUMAN CITY_SUWON (hereinafter referred to as ‘SMTOWN Live 2022’)' as it has been a long time since they have done an album promotion activity. Hyoyeon shed tears of emotion while Girls' Generation performed <Forever 1> that day. Kwon Yuri also recalled that time and said, "Even thinking about it now brings tears to my eyes. The feeling was extraordinary. We gained the energy through the support from our fans who stayed in the same place and waited for us. It was also thanks to the support of the fans who stayed in one place and waited for us during our (group promotion) hiatus. I was really happy because I could feel that they were really cheering me on.". She went on, "There is also a strong bond between me and the people who have been supporting me for a long time in the same place. It was strange and touching at the same time to meet them while I was standing on stage in my 30s, but I believe the fans felt the same way."

Kwon Yuri frequently meets fans at broadcasting stations because she has been active in the industry for a long time. Jaejae, an SBS broadcaster, is a well-known fan of Girls' Generation. She stated, "There is an implicit bond when it comes to fans. It is a welcoming feeling, as if to say, 'We were a singer and a fan, but we meet again like this now,' or 'In the end, 15 years have passed and we have maintained our position and are able to meet each other in this way,' ", she said. "While living as a member of society, I met people who said they nurtured a dream while looking up at me. Now I receive their help, and I am developing a new dream.  Jaejae is exactly the same. Isn't she responsible for making our voices heard a little bit more? So, every day, we would say, 'We need to have interview with Jaejae.' It's great to see someone like that."

Girls' Generation has been steadily popular for 15 years, to the extent that it ranks at the top of the brand reputation even when they are not doing group promotion. Kwon Yuri said, "Actually, while taking a break (of group promotion), I also thought about the secret to maintaining popularity consistently like this. It seems like a lot of reasons came together, but the biggest thing is that we were purely doing what we love and had a good influence." .

"Sometimes we compete in good faith, and other times we rely on each other as friends, family, or an existence more than that," Kwon Yuri explained. We triumphed and shared so much together. "I believe this has started a virtuous cycle," she explained. "This part also serves as a driving force for Girls' Generation. As a member, the symbolism of the group extends beyond the name ‘Girls' Generation’ to me. I really love and care about Girls' Generation, and I think that the people of this nation and the company are also putting effort to protect Girls' Generation.  So, even though we don't always promote (as a group), it feels like we're always creating something (in the name of Girls' Generation)."

Original source :

Interview by Ahn Yoonji reporter from Star News (Link to the original interview is available below)

[TRANS]

What Girls' Generation left for modern women and K-Pop

Their 15th anniversary commemorative promotion is a historical event unrelated to music chart rankings.

Girls' Generation is a group that has challenged stereotypes about girl groups, female celebrities, and women's organizations. Furthermore, their return demonstrates that K-pop and its management system have advanced to the next level. Whether you like Girls' Generation or not, watching their comeback activities in 2022 is like witnessing a historical event.

Girls' Generation first debuted in 2007. Then, in 2017, several members left SM Entertainment. It was regarded as a de facto disbandment, but the members stated that they were only focusing on individual activities, leaving room for full-team activities to take place at any time as long as there is an appropriate reason. People would have dismissed it as an empty promise made solely to sustain their fandom if it had come from any other group, but Girls' Generation were different. Girls' Generation was such a successful group that they were all treated as top stars, with no member falling out during group activities (era), fueling rumors of fierce competition within the group. Even after their agencies changed, they demonstrated their friendship by regularly gathering in small groups to create content or support each other's activities. It was also stated unequivocally that there was no disagreement or resentment with the original agency. It was a move that dispelled the stereotype that women's organizations are full of envy, jealousy, ploys, and amateurism, and that the entertainment industry fosters such traits. Girls' Generation was not a group that emphasized girl crush through music or styling concepts, but it was a group that inspired modern women by demonstrating that high-level professionalism and femininity do not conflict with the members' histories and relationships.

Their relationship was not strong from the start of their career, as they frequently stated. There were fights behind the scenes, and they had to adjust to each other, but when they stood on stage, Girls' Generation smiled perfectly, as they always did. As a result, industry officials praised SM's training system and the members' professionalism. Meanwhile, they evolved into artists capable of speaking for themselves. The fact that a girl group has been active for 10 years while maintaining friendship (between members) and commerciality is an unprecedented phenomenon. Girls' Generation's fandom also expanded beyond admiring the group. They grew up together, and as they experienced social life on their own, they were able to make educated guesses and appreciate the time and effort Girls' Generation members have put in.

There are two main reasons why successful K-Pop groups that have broken up cannot reunite. It is common for a member to be kicked out after causing some trouble, and the next common case is that some members are significantly more successful than others, so group promotion is no longer necessary. However, as many as eight members of the Girls' Generation have built successful careers in their respective positions. There are four leading actors in movies and dramas, and they are all active as solo singers, MCs, advertising models, and musical actors. None of the members returned because they had hung up on and missed Girls' Generation's glory days. They understand the meaning of the Girls' Generation brand to the music industry and their fans as top stars who each have a voice and the ability to produce on their own, then come together again to complete it. This would be an excellent counterargument to the popular belief that K-Pop idols are merely industrial products rather than artists. SM's attitude of support also demonstrates the maturity of recognizing idol groups as resources of the fan community, rather than a temporary profit product of the agency. With the return of members who have also achieved success in other fields, you can feel proud that idols are not just a young clown act, but a vital part of the Korean cultural industry that is completed with hard work and professional consciousness. There is no better example to explain the state of K-Pop in 2022.

The music video for Girls' Generation's 15th anniversary song, Forever 1>, reflects each member's current image and then develops into a plot in which they make a stage (performance) together. At the same time, it included a tribute to their debut song, Into the New World>. Of course, there is no better gift for Girls' Generation fans than this. But there's more to it than that. Assume you are a fan of an idol group that is currently at its peak or has recently debuted. Can you imagine them being better in 15 years? Girls' Generation represents a new ideal for K-Pop groups. This is something no other group has ever done. This alone is deemed sufficient reason to be excited about Girls' Generation's return.

[TRANS]

If it's the Girls' Generation, I believe I can speak, that I am allowed to speak, and that I must speak about them in this manner.

When you begin listening to the intro of (their) debut song <Into The New World>, it feels as if you are falling into the magic, and when you continue listening to the bridge part that is ending, it feels as if the magic of the entire song has been completed.

This song is about solace, harmony, rebirth, and, most importantly, faith.

That faith, is the faith in being able to love them indefinitely.

The faith that they can continue to showcase good music and performances through one label, despite the fact that their managements have changed.

The faith that they are not a one-time shooting star, but rather a constellation that will live on in the night sky forever.

It is obvious that SM Entertainment has thrown an important lesson into the entertainment industry with 'The Art of Mathematics,' and that their great stream is still flowing in one direction.

This project will undoubtedly serve as an inspiration to all producers and idol members. Recognizing that we are the strongest and most beautiful when we are together, that we can shine brightly together again when the snow that has accumulated in each other's hearts melts and we become one. The constellation of their own reappears in the night sky, allowing countless fans who were looking to the constellation for assurance of their life path to stand up again.

Everyone at SM who made all of these projects possible, composer Kenzie, no, everyone who helped shape Girls' Generation into what they are today, all the members who protect each other in this harsh entertainment industry, and SONE who will perpetually support all of the girls. You are all truly amazing.

I once told a certain member (of Girls' Generation) at a dinner event in 2017 that I wished Girls' Generation would continue forever. I am overjoyed that my 'wish' came true.

'Forever 1'

GQ: Aren't you just saying nice things as an audition judge in <Peak Time>?

Tiffany Young: I said everything. To put it plainly, parts that need to be ripped and repaired! Why are the steps unmatched, that (they) need to pay attention on their breathing, all the necessary stuffs regarding parts that need to be improved on the next opportunity, I make sure to say everything I could.

GQ: We wondered if you rather spared your words because of your affectionate heart

Tiffany Young: Those friends absorb everything (they heard) on the set, accepted it (then put it into attention) and made improvement on the next episode. They thanked me on separate occasion. It's a time when I feel and learn many things.

GQ: Do you still go to auditions these days?

Tiffany Young: Of course. To do a project, (1) always (follow) the audition process. Whether it be for drama, movie, musical, everything is a process of audition. All American works are open auditions, and I think I've seen one or two in the past few months? It's always fierce.

GQ: It is always interesting to see this expression of, 'of course, it's given'. An artist with sufficient reputation to be appointed as an audition judge, on the other hand does not hide 'the gap' of being a participant in (another) audition at all.

Tiffany Young: There's no need to be embarrassed of it. In contrast, I always want to show that I'm open (to everything). That's why I want to live transparently wherever I am. Rather than "I got this project", (I prefer to say), "I'm working hard for it, you know?". It is a process that absolutely requires effort, and I want you to know that I have worked hard for it. 'Because I'm Tiffany'? There's no such thing like that. This is work. This is art. 'Because I'm Girls' Generation'? No, nothing is free, Honey. Participating in an audition is not something you should feel ashamed of. That's how much I've gained endurance.

 GQ: Even so, aren't you upset when you see (people's) reaction who thought you got the position for free? Tiffany Young: Performances cannot be 'eaten' raw, and since all performances are made through a process that requires time, I tend to be the type who often save energy by saying, "Let's just focus on this". For the instance of Girls' Generation too, (we) were not the Girls' Generation we are today from the beginning. Now, thankfully, there are people who say "Girls' Generation's performance is the best," but there were a lot of shortcomings, immature, and awkward things too. However, I think Girls' Generation became the Girls' Generation today because (we) went through that process and didn't give up. I think it is similar with the process for Tiffany walking to become a good performer without giving up. I'm satisfied with my career now that I'm creating one character after another as the time of shedding blood, sweat and tears has piled up. I am going to work harder.



GQ: The expression of 'toughness'/'endurance' comes to mind. As Girls' Generation, the representative group of K-pop, I don't think there would have been any need (for you) to develop toughness/endurance.

Tiffany Young: Ey, when it comes to Girls' Generation, it's really about 'toughness'. Everything (about us) really came out of hard work. It always happened here and there when a new concept came out. "They failed", "Do you think they will be able to last long?". Isn't it what female artists, women in society need to go through? But all of us (Girls' Generation) managed to continuously show the 'separately but together' with our healthy appearance, right? That alone was very enjoyable, and it became a good driving force for each other.

GQ: Turns out you've always been fighting the invisible.

Tiffany Young: Yes. I think it feels more like that as I wrapped it in bright façade then come all the way here (in my position today). But now, as for me, as for Tiffany Young, since my first solo album (2016), I have to say that I have gradually become a me who wants to strip away and show only what is natural and real? So, what didn't reach and resonate in my heart, I didn't express it outwardly, didn't wear it or eat it, and it was my turning point where I really longed for the 'real'.

GQ: The circumstancial evidence of that 'Real' seems to be the solo albums that were released in earnest from 2018.

Tiffany Young: It is right. I poured it (the realness) out.

GQ: The change we felt immediately was the voice. "Did Tiffany's voice originally sound this low?", that's what we're thinking throughout our conversation.

Tiffany Young: I'm thankful for that words. A group called Girls' Generation is an image and sound I desired the most in my 10s. But my actual tone and natural voice color are like this. If you look at me in the past, my music, movies, and fashion taste were high-teen, but if you look at me now, I like things that are classic and darker. I think the style that exist deep in my heart is a lot darker. As my voice, sound, and producers were aligned, such results were born. It was a period when I began to clearly discovered, "this is the voice color I should have the most confidence in".

GQ: Honestly, the thing we're most unfamiliar with during preparing for this interview was..

Tiffany Young: (sits close to the table and laughs) Which one?

GQ: <Magnetic Moon> Tour.

Tiffany Young: The tour! It was so fun.

GQ: It's like the band in <Home Alone> that used to pick up Kevin's mom in a van. Why did you do a four-week North American bus tour with 10 staff members and using the bathroom on the bus?

Tiffany Young: So fabulous. That's how American or all musician tours work. It's all the same. It was such a great moment and someone might say, "Oh My God! It was the Tiffany who had done arena and dome tour!" but, no! It was a process that need to be gone through to become a true rock star. I think the performance in a small scale theater is a different style of art compared to the drill of doing performance in a large scale since I was able to put up a performance that made the audience focus and move them with my voice only. I want to become that kind of artist. So I went through that process, and it was a real turning point. I think my 'toughness' was achieved at that moment. We did 30 shows each in the first and second halves and we did about 15 tours in Asia in the middle. Because of that process, I could carry out Girls' Generation's 15th anniversary promotion, <Chicago>, and <Reborn Rich> at the same time.

GQ: You've built muscle strength inside and out.

Tiffany Young: I think I'm always born to be on the road. I like tour and live (performance) the best. Just by meeting the fans in person, being able to work hard on my voice and presenting it to them.. Then just by being someone who can create some energy and make their voices come out loud.. How could I not do that?

GQ: Tiffany's face looked happy in that tour bus, in the double-decker bus speeding through the night towards the next stage.

Tiffany Young: I was really happy. I took a counseling session for a long time while attending (acting) school after leaving Korea. I had a very extreme job where I had to pamper and take care of my mentality. During the counseling period, something painful like an immune response just came up. It was like Imposter Syndrome, 'Am I a rock star?', 'Am I not a performer?' just like <Jekyll and Hyde>. Just being able to go on stage gave me another realization that I should have pride and responsibility. I really, really enjoyed it. It Was Bittersweet. All live band, no chorus, solo set list that I had to fill alone was about 22 songs. Even so, the stage was a space to be thankful for, and it was a time to heal.

GQ: What was the burden you wanted to share through counseling?

Tiffany Young: I had to let it out all open. After crossing the sea in the third year of middle school, as an Asian American, a Korean American woman, and as an immigrant, Um, I just tried to figure everything out one by one. “Why were my old reactions like that?”, then to things like, “Why did I like this outfit and this color?” It was a time to get to know me by stripping everything down, so I got to know myself a little more. When you receive counseling, you have to spend a lot of time, empathy, and gentleness on yourself. It wasn't easy. I had to look at my family history, why there were empty spaces, and I had to open all the scratches I encountered in society while debuting. Then I have to cover that, but it’s not just like, “Ugh, I’m not well. Please look into me. Watch my pain!”, I learned that I can be an artist who expresses a healthy story. That’s why when I see today's pictorial concept ''Can't Stop. Tiffany Young’s endless sprint” being written, that's who we (including Tiffany Young’s fellow agency members that were together in the place) are now! Seems like (the message) is well-delivered, and I wanted to say thank you for letting me know that.

GQ: It was an expression that came up naturally, after looking at Tiffany Young's moves so far.

Tiffany Young: I am where I am now thanks to a good attitude, good choices, and good people around me over the past few years. Now that I have become a person with (more) sincerity, I feel so free! I'm so happy. At this point, I am making the path to become such an artist step by step.

GQ: If you were to write down the spell you want to fulfil on the mantra board in front of you?

Tiffany Young: Let’s focus on the present. Present is a present. There is a saying that the present is a gift. I am living every day focusing on the present.

GQ: So, it’s not “I want to live” but “I’m living it right now”?

Tiffany Young: Yes. I’m living through it right now. And keep reciting it like a mantra, “Be present. Be present.”. Only then can I connect with the person in front of me, have a deeper conversation, and cherish every moment. And then, you saw my mantra board when I’m doing the concert, right? “You are that bitch.”

GQ: That’s why we’re curious. The sentence was written straightforwardly, “You are 100% that bitch.”

(Written by FLAT Team of Kyunghyang Shinmun)

Original article link: https://v.daum.net/v/20221220152535440

Do you remember the heyday of K-pop around 2009? Have you ever had colorful skinny jeans in your closet? Do you feel like shaking your butt just by looking at the overalls? Do you get teary-eyed when you hear the intro of <Into The New World>? Whenever things don't go well, do you say "You think I did it for myself? for myself?" and want to stamp your feet?

If so, 2022 will be considered more special than ever. This is because Girls' Generation and KARA, who celebrated their 15th anniversary this year, made a comeback, marking a milestone in the history of girl groups.

On August 5, 2022, Girls' Generation made a full team comeback after 5 years. SM Entertainment's girl group Girls' Generation made their debut on August 5, 2007. At that time, it was a multi-member group that felt unfamiliar, but then the group can be said as the origin of expressions such as the ‘flower bouquet effect’ or ‘a pretty girl next to a pretty girl’. Girls' Generation, who debuted with <Into The New World>, has since gained explosive popularity and has topped the league as national girl group. Girls’ Generation, who led the golden age of girl groups along with Wonder Girls and KARA, expanded the scope of their fandom, and around this time, the phrase of ‘uncle fan’ and ‘aunt fan’ were born.

Girls' Generation has always been at the top, but when the members reached their mid-twenties, ridiculous articles saying, "they are not a girl anymore" began to appear. K-pop is an industry where young age is the capital, and girl groups in particular have stricter standards. In many cases, group activities cannot continue beyond the maximum of 7 years, which is the standard established in accordance to the Fair Trade Commission's standard contract. Girls' Generation's group activities were also unclear for a long time as some members moved to other agencies and focused on individual activities.

The members then continued their activities without letting go of their identity as Girls' Generation and made a comeback in celebration of their 15th anniversary, rewriting the history of the longest running active girl group. With their skilled performances and unwavering support from fans, they proved that simply being young is not the competitive edge of a female performing artist.

The girl group, which is loved passionately, was also hated just as fiercely. Collective attacks on 'young and pretty' women have been persistent (of course, that doesn’t mean that it is lesser than it used to be now). Women's contempt and ridicule were as severe as men's violent sexual objectification and rude consumption of the media.

The act of labeling a member as ‘a fox that pretends to be a bear that pretends to be a fox’ and labeling them with the name ‘XX woman’, or thoroughly analyzing and ‘stripping off’ their faces, bodies, makeups, etc., was a popular act within the female community. The ‘ten minute incident’, in which the boy group’s fandom turned off their lightstick during Girls’ Generation’s performance at the ‘Dream Concert’, is a representative example of ‘boy group fans bullying girl groups’, a long-standing genealogy. No matter how thrilled I am to see Girls' Generation's comeback, I cannot erase this obvious fact as if it never happened.

Among the occasions when feelings toward Girls’ Generation reached a new phase, the 2015 feminism reboot and the 2016 Ewha Womans University campus protest cannot be left out. The scene was widely talked about as a symbol of the sensitivity and political personality of a new generation, as the students who were confronting the police at the time sang <Into The New World> together to overcome their fears. It became an opportunity to reinterpret Girls' Generation group and songs in a feminist way. For a long time, girl groups have been regarded as passive entities that reproduce and practice the image of women demanded or idealized by society.

There was a deep-rooted perception that had a detrimental effect on women, like sayings of, “You should be like this,” and that women were treated as an object dedicated to men as “things to see.” However, as Girls' Generation has been active for a long time, accumulated years of experience, and each of their ability value met with dignity and experience in the industry to exert synergy, their identity and capabilities have been re-evaluated. In addition, through the popularization of feminism, the public realized how closely the misogyny or attacks suffered by girl groups were closely related to real misogyny, so they began to sympathize with the grievances and struggles of those involved.

One of the remarkable phenomena in Girls' Generation and KARA's comeback is the change in perception of girl groups. They are being accepted as independent performing arts and culture experts, not just as a group of girls who are ‘simply pretty and young’ (in fact, we don't know why this is even considered something worth criticizing). They focus on individual members' ability and teamwork, and they also enjoy the sense of change they feel as a great senior in the industry. This atmosphere is largely credited to the SBS web entertainment <MMTG> hosted by Jae-jae, who also known as the ‘half-celebrity’. Jaejae and the <MMTG> team recognized the professional characteristics of idols which were somehow always bound to seen as ‘B-ranked’, and reflected the critical mind and self-reflection derived from it in the programs they produced. The fact that Jaejae is a fan of Girls’ Generation is quite symbolic. The experience of loving someone passionately is also to consider other beings in the same situation and expand the possibility of making better choices.

Girls' Generation and KARA are groups that project the ideals desired for young women by combining patriarchal desires and company's spirits. At the same time, their achievements are also the result of the female members' ability, effort, collaboration, and fans' support. Their existence is multi-layered and three-dimensional like that. Girls’ Generation Sunny posted “KARA is the best!” on her Instagram when KARA made a comeback, expressing her affection, saying, “So pretty, cool, shiny..  It's nice to see you. I respect you, admire you, thank you. I missed you.” In the narrative of the activities of the two groups that have passed through a difficult time, there are touching and bitter things that cannot be expressed in words.