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[ak6c]

(Oct) Vogue Girl Magazine







< translations for the interview of each SNSD members >


TIFFANY

VG: If you can introduce yourself?
T: TIffany, 19 years old, training for 3 1/2 years, born in LA and was spotted while singing in a Korean
Festival

VG: How was it to move away from LA and live in Korea?
T: There were a lot of times when people misunderstood me because I am poor in Korean. That's why I
feel comfortable around my SNSD members. Because we've been together for so long, if I'm having
trouble with the language, they notice it first and helps me.

VG: Weren't you worried at a young age coming to Korea on your own?
T: Usually, it takes a long time from Audition to the final casting but for me, the results were out in less
than a month. I didn't have any worries because this was what I wanted to do for a long time. My father
however was against it because he wanted me to continue studying. At the LA Airport before leaving for
Seoul, I went with my dad and brother and both of them had tears in their eyes. If I think about it now, I
think I kind of know what those tears meant.

VG: What are some of the positives and negatives of having a 9-membered group?
T: All the girls (SNSD) are at an age where they want to decorate themselves and look pretty. It's like a
war-zone in the morning with everyone trying to shower and change at once. Positive side is that you're
never bored or lonely.

VG: You must be self conscious of what the netizens reply about SNSD since you guys debuted recently.
T: I just like to think that they write what they write because they're interested. Replies that pinpoint your
weakspots sometimes drive you to work even harder. If someone talks about our live singing being
insufficient after a stage, we would rush into and practice it next early morning.

VG: Anything else you are interested in besides music?
T: I would like to challenge myself in acting someday. In the states, I made a drama club with my friends
and performed small plays on stage. My ultimate goal is acting in America, just like Kim Yoon-Jin (김윤진)
sunbaenim.


TAEYEON

VG: If you can introduce yourself?
Ta: Taeyeon, 19 years old, training for 3 years, became a leader due to the fact that I had the earliest
birthday.

VG: If you can choose the most toughest time during training?
Ta: It was physically tough on the body practicing so much. But the most difficult part was moving away
from my family in Junju (전주) and living on my own. It was heartbreaking not being able to see the people
you want to see. However I feel happy now being able to show everyone the result of our tough practices.

VG: You don't have any regrets?
Ta: I wanted to become like BoA after seeing her working/promoting in Japan on TV. So I went for the
audition without much thought and luckily became a trainee after winning #1 in the singing area. I have no
regrets because it's something I started doing because I liked it.

VG: How do you feel about SNSD's anti-fans?
Ta: Before our debut, we posted a video clip of each of the members every day to the public. There were
a lot of people who misunderstood us back then. Most of them speculated that it would just be another one
of the many past girls group with a pure & innocent concept, just from looking at our group name 'Girls
Generation'. However, the number of antis decreased after we performed on stage. I think it was because
we didn't approach the fans with a calm, quiet image but an active, bright, early teen image. We also hear
that they have a feeling of closeness like people their age with SNSD. (What we show) is not fake but
nothing but the real us. When we meet up, we chit-chat a lot and go wild over spicy rice cake (떡볶이) just
like a normal teenage girl.

VG: How do you feel about the idea that a singer is just a process you go through to become an actress/actor, MC, etc.?
Ta: Not only did we practice on our singing as a trainee, we had to learn about acting, dancing, and other
diverse areas. It's like a homework given to a trainee. It's so that after you debut, you can be confident
and ready in whatever situation you are in.

VG: Which area are you interested in TaeYeon?
Ta: If given the opportunity, I would like to DJ or MC. If I try acting, I think a sitcom (comedy drama)
would be more interesting than a traditional drama.


JESSICA

VG: If you can introduce yourself?
J: Jessica, 19 years old, born in SanFransisco, Casted in a mall while I visited Korea once and after having
an audition, I became a trainee.

VG: Was there any moment you felt slumped during your training days?
J: There were times when it was hard cause the practice hours were very long but the thought of quitting
never crossed my mind, even when I felt frustrated when I couldn't dance or sing like I wanted to. I felt
really happy seeing myself become better a little or hearing that my singing or acting got better from
trainers.

VG: It must've been hard being verbally abused before your debut.
J: I have been practicing with members of DBSG and Super Junior ever since I was young. I think of them
as a close next-door oppa and they think of me as a close next-door younger sister. The messages that I
left in their homepages started being noticed by the fans of DBSG and Super Junior after they debuted. At
first, I laughed about it but now I'm being very careful. Therefore, I hope people won't have any
misconceptions about me.

VG: If you didn't become an entertainer, what other jobs would you've done?
J: I really like to write, and ever since my mother gave me my first diary in kindergarten, Ive been writing
everyday on my diary until now. Even when I'm tired, I would write on it even if it's short. Reading the
past journals are fun and I laugh and feel sorry at myself at some of the worries I had when I was a kid.
If given the opportunity, after building up my writing skills, I would like to publish a book with my writings.


SOOYOUNG

VG: If you can introduce yourself?
S: Sooyoung, 18 years old, started my debut first at Japan after being picked in a Kor-Japanese Idol Duo
Audition. Been training for 7 years too.

VG: Does the experience you gained, working in Japan, help you right now?
S: I can speak Japanese very fluently now. Also, having a lot of experiences in Live Broadcast shows
helped me react/think fast too.

VG: Most of the stages in Japan are sang live, your live singing skills must've become better too.
S: Just because the system is like that doesn't mean your live skills get better too (laughs). I'm endlessly
working hard on my live but I can't sing them perfectly yet.

VG: What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of having experienced both the Japanese and
Korean Entertainment world?
S: The schedule organization is very different between the two. In Japan, they never plan more than 2
schedules a day. For minors, it is stated by law that you can't have any schedules after 10pm, so you get
a lot of sleep and have a very organized life. We're so busy and tired with our schedules (in Korea) that I
often think that the days in Japan were the good days. However, I'm not able to communicate my
feelings/thoughts perfectly in Japan so I like Korea better since I can do that here.

VG: Wasn't it hard having to live on your own ever since you were little?
S: The hardest thing to endure was loneliness. Compared to other SNSD members, because I lived on my
own ever since I debuted in Japan, the way I talk and act is more mature. I even traveled to Japan and
Korea back and forth on my own. I think my mother was a bit disappointed to see her little daughter act
so mature. However, there is no chance to feel lonely having 8 friends around now.

VG: Were there any moments when you wanted to give up?
S: Never, because this is the path I chose to walk. When I'm tired, I just try my best to enjoy that
situation. When I feel depressed, rather than listening to a up-beat song to switch my mood, I listen to a
depressing song and try to enjoy that feeling that moment. If I have an important ShowCase coming up, I
would go into a small room and sing and memorize lines until I was satisfied with myself. It really feels
good to overcome that high obstacle. I sort of carry a strong pride on myself.


SUNNY

VG: If you can introduce yourself?
Su: Sunny, 19 years old, I was being trained at an another company and then got recommended through
an audition this year and became part of SNSD.

VG: If you can choose a toughest moment during your training days?
Su: When I had to switch over to a different company and adjust to the different teaching methods and
atmosphere. Each company has their own way of training, and because I recently joined, it was very
tough on me compared to the other members, who were used to it by then.

VG: I heard you were called the 'literature girl' because you like books?
Su: I read anything from novels to mangas. I'm currently reading the 'Glass Hammer' by Kishi Yusuke. It
was even made into a movie. I really like novels that you have to figure out.


SEOHYUN

VG: If you can introduce yourself?
Se: SeoHyun, 17 years old, team's maknae (youngest). Randomly casted 5 years ago, in grade 5, in a
subway.

VG: Did you wanted to become an entertainer before being casted?
Se: I only thought (the singers) were great on TV but never had the thought of becoming like them. When
I passed my audition, I had to beg my worried parents to allow me to get trained. After a while, I decided
to continue following this path because it was a lot of fun.

VG: What is your latest matter of concern?
Se: Working hard as SNSD and learning various languages. I learned Chinese and it was very fun. Next, I
would like to learn English and Japanese one after the another.

VG: Do you ever miss living an ordinary life while enjoying your school life?
Se: My friends are all worried about their entrance examinations while I am enjoying working and I feel
sorry about that a lot. A few friends, who aren't so sure of their future, are also very envious of me. All I
have to do is just work hard and keep on heading towards my dream, since it's been decided and has
come true already.


HYOYEON

VG: If you can introduce yourself?
H: HyoYeon, 19 years old, been training for 7 years.

VG: Wasn't training hard for an elementary student who should be busy playing outside?
H: We just say it's 7 years, but that doesn't mean we spent the entire 7 years not sleeping and practicing
into the night. Until I was grade 8, I only used to come in once or twice a week to get trained. Last year,
we had to train everyday. Traveling back and forth from my house, In-Cheon (인천), was tough and
getting trained at a young age was hard too. But because it was something I liked to do, I couldn't
complain to anyone.

VG: What is something you can say that you are better at than the other members?
H: I'm more confident in dancing than singing. I was casted while dancing in the streets too. I used to
attend dance schools 3~4 years ago after I became interested in poppin' and girls hiphop. I was also
taught by a man named Tako(?), who is famous for his Michael Jackson dances. I try to get used to the
dance routines with my eyes first rather than try and follow them right away. As well as feeling the rythm
to the dance.

VG: Is there any musician you want to be like?
H: Missy Elliot. I would like to dance, not to a set-dance routine, but just move the body naturally to a
song, like Missy Elliot.


YURI

VG: If you can introduce yourself?
Yu: Yuri, 19 years old, training for 6 years.

VG: Any memorable moments during your training days?
Yu: The company would borrow a stage every now and then and run a Show Case Event with the
trainees. It's sort of an evaluating stage, so with the teams you're assigned, your performance has to be
perfect as if you're on a real stage. I remember practicing the entire night for more than a week because
these are the stages that determine whether you will debut later on or not. It was really tough trying to
dance with 7cm high-heels.

VG: Are you interested in any other areas rather than singing?
Yu: Recently, I filmed a CF and starred in a movie too. It was fun acting but I realized I was insufficient a lot. I would like to try being a MC or DJ too, definitely between 10pm and 12am. Ah, I also like to play
sports. Did you see me throw a pitch recently at a baseball game? I had a lot of compliments saying my
pose was very cool (laughs).


YOONA

VG: If you can introduce yourself?
YO: Yoona, 18 years old, training for 5 years.

VG: Wasn't it hard being a student at school and a trainee at the same time?
YO: I became a trainee in elementary and after our debut, I started being late or absent for my classes a
lot. This one time, I couldn't understand anything being taught during class after I missed a day of school.
I have no idea where to start studying if I do go to school.

VG: What were some of your hardest moments as a trainee?
YO: When we first did the contract, my father gave me an option. He told me that being a singer was a
very hard job and that if I wanted to quit now, I could. I kept on telling him that it won't be hard until the
very end.

VG: Do you understand some of the stuff your father was worried about now?
YO: After debuting, I started to feel/understand what he meant. Also I had a huge slump early last year. I
thought then that I only chose this job by looking at it from the outside. 'Not because I really wanted to
sing or act, or couldn't do anything besides this, that I just started this while yearning to be an
entertainer'. I was really upset. If I look back, I don't think I practiced with a 'do or die' mind.

VG: How did you overcome it?
YO: I just came to a conclusion that this was what I really wanted to do no matter how much I thought.

VG: What are some bias view towards SNSD that you would like to change?
YO: People think that the company trained us from head to toe. Even when we go and say thanks to the
staff we worked with, they would think that we've been trained well. Everyone thinks that the company
harshly train us like a Military School. In truth, the company only teaches us for 1~2 hours and the rest of
the time, we practice/train on our own. We just try to do our best one step at a time in whatever given
situation.



------------------------------- credits: sosiz & ak6c@soshified

So other areas TaeYeon's interested in is DJing or MCing. I think she'll do great in both since she's so
out-going and friendly. I can picture her in a sitcom more than a normal drama since she's so dorky

Jessica wants to publish a book in the future. I really hope she does.

Reading these interviews make me appreciate the girls a lot more too. Go soshi~

[xmichellee]

i only read fany and taeyeon's

T: I just like to think that they write what they write because they're interested. Replies that pinpoint your
weakspots sometimes drive you to work even harder. If someone talks about our live singing being
insufficient after a stage, we would rush into and practice it next early morning.

aw she's so optimistic T-T
and i'm sure taeyeon would make an AWESOME radio dj one day<3

it's good to know that all the girls are finally doing what they really love doing~
after many many years of training, they definitely deserve it ^^

[Norman N.]

Poor Tiff~~~ Im staying away from mah family also ...but I feel fun

[Ch1k0]

Thanks for the translation You're keeping me occupied for the nest few minutes just read ^^

[rebt]

thanks for sharing and translating

[Soy]

woah favorite quote goes to yoona :

People think that the company trained us from head to toe. Even when we go and say thanks to the staff we worked with, they would think that we've been trained well. Everyone thinks that the company harshly train us like a Military School. In truth, the company only teaches us for 1~2 hours and the rest of the time, we practice/train on our own. We just try to do our best one step at a time in whatever given situation.

there's only so much training they can give you, the rest has to be your drive and dedication to be want to be the best. i love my so nyuh girls !

thanks for the translations <3

[Mimi]

thanks so much for translating! this helps me alot.

[jingaling!]

i like taeyeon's reply to the antifan question.
& poor jessica, being 'verbally abused' during her trainee years ;x
thanks for the translations.

[Twilight54]

thanks 4 the translations. i enjoy learning about the members and finding out about the things that we have in common.

reading this translation makes me happy because i kno that SNSD can be down to earth unlike some american artists

plus cuz of their age, i can relate.

[wendalyn]

thanks for the translation
this makes me understand how hard they have worked to become what they are now as singers

[Soshiballoons]

These girls sound so mature nows.
and they look wonderful in those pictures
many of them very optimistic..

[Nichole]

hey thanks for the translation.. saw it previously in a web but everything is in korean...

[lovelybelle]

the girls worked so hard during their trainee days.
I'm so proud of them
thanks for the translations

[htong14]

thnxs for the trans!!

[MaWz]

thanks for the translating hehe its funny Jessica want to publish a book, no doubt it will be good though

[Young Buck]

Such ashame about Jess getting bashed like that, but she overcame it all.
Sunny likes reading manga, how cool.
Those scans give them such a mature look.
Thanks for sharing and translating for us.

[aheeja]

I like Tiff's answer to the netizens question..
it shows how mature they are to not cry about it,
instead they practice even harder..

Thanks for translating.

[Miwa_Chan]

lol There must be some showering/bathroom issues amongst the 9 girls, I wonder how they work it all out xD
Tiffanys answer to the netizens reply was good, i mean what she said. Im glad she sees it that way instead of getting offended
lol Taeyeon wanted to be like Boa? Hm~ she must feel happy when ppl say she looks like Boa then ^^
I think Tae would make a great DJ or Mc for sure! and it would be hilarious seeing her in a sitcom xD
Jess likes to write? Cool~ Id love to read something she wrote someday. OMO Maybe she could write the lyrics for one of Soshis songs someday! And Seohyun could compose it! THAT WOULD BE SO COOL!
Yuri's so cute~ Her interview was so short though T_T

Thanks alot for this trans!

[cutesypanda]

thank you for the translation and sharing....^^

[ForShinjaMyNinja]

Wow, sounds very interesting! I'll be sure to read all of this soon.

Thanks so much for taking the time to translate and ten share it with us!