
When talking about Girls’ Generation, one of the most succinct ways to describe them would be to say, “female idol group”. But do those words truly describe them for who they are? Not in the slightest. The only accurate words in that description would be “female” and “group”. However, the context of the word “idol” is completely wrong in this case. Nowadays, the word “idol” is synonymous with “pop singer”, or someone that is active in many parts of the entertainment industry. Not only does the accepted meaning of the word not describe the girls in full, but it can also burden them with unfair prejudice from the general public. So if they aren’t an “idol group”, how would we go about describing them? For me, I prefer to call them “artists”. Maybe not necessarily on the same level as some of the greatest musical artists of our time, but calling them “idols” is understating how much talent they have and how much hard work they put into getting where they are today.
The dictionary definition of the word “idol” is “someone you admire”, or you could even say is “role model”. But in reality, because of expanding pop culture, a variety of shows were spawned based off of the new “an idol is an entertainer” definition, such as “American Idol” and subsequent variations all around the world. However, these kinds of shows only made the new definition mainstream. It already had its own niche in Asia where the term had been used to describe many people involved in the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, riding on the coattails of the term “idol” was a stigma that was almost impossible to shake off. It was a stigma saying that you were only there to look pretty and that you had no real talent for anything else. Even the members of Girls’ Generation have faced such accusations before. Yet, here they stand as one of the most successful groups that are currently active. Can it be considered fair to brush aside talent backed by years of hard work, only to have the general masses throw them to the side because they are “idols”? Of course not. Still, such behavior persists, and it not only burdens Girls’ Generation but others as well.
Some might argue that it’s only fair that they be called idols because they undergo a “grooming” process through many years of training. It is a fair argument, but at the same time, the same could be said of people that are just singers. The only difference would be that they only focused on one aspect, whereas those who are considered idols went through a more diverse training regimen. Does the hard work they put in make them any less of an artist? For example, is a person who participates in a triathlon any less of an athlete than a pure swimmer? Obviously not, as they just practiced for more than one thing.

Let’s take Taeyeon for example. She is an idol by definition, but definitely much more than that. Out of all the members, Taeyeon loves singing the most. Taeyeon has even stated that she would like to become the kind of singer who could sing a wide variety of songs. She is a student of music: someone who continually strives to become better and isn’t content with being stagnant. On the flip side, you have Hyoyeon, maybe not the most prodigious of singers, but definitely a dancing virtuoso. Is she any less of an artist than Taeyeon? Of course not. She merely has a different talent, a different form of expression that is more suited to her. While on the topic of artists, we can’t forget Jessica with her “amazing” talent for drawings and paintings. Her drawing of Sunny received such rave reviews and international coverage that michaelroni’s “The Cucumber” even reported that she received an offer from a famous art museum to display her drawing. Jokes aside, the members of Girls’ Generation are obviously more than just “idols” that are pretty with no talent, so why not recognize them as artists?
The girls spend an extraordinary amount of time trying to move beyond the little box that is defined by being an “idol”. Yuri and Sooyoung wrote the lyrics for “Mistake” and “How Great is Your Love?” respectively, and if that isn’t considered a step towards being an artist, then I don’t know what is.
Sooyoung herself has mentioned on KBS 2TV’s “Star Life Theater” that she wanted to be considered as more than just an idol that could dance, but as an actual artist. A part of her essay reflects on the path she took as an idol, stating that she thought it was art. Sooyoung further explains that it is difficult to determine the full spectrum of art, but continued by saying that art can be influenced by the emotions in an individual’s life.

There is a lot of truth in what Sooyoung says about art. It is difficult to gauge what should be considered art. But it shouldn’t mean that if someone takes a different path that they can’t be considered an artist like others can. If art can be considered an expression of emotions, then regardless if it is the dancer who dances, the author who writes, the painter who paints, or the singer that sings, each and every person can become an artist. However, not everyone should be called an artist. Obviously, people have attempted to tread these paths before. Some fail right away, while others make it farther, and there are those who are capable of continuing down that path but choose to not walk down it. So then, who can be considered an artist? For me, the answer is the people that aspire for excellence: those people who work tirelessly to improve, to continue to chase their dream despite the obstacles they counter, and to leave more than a fleeting impression behind, creating an everlasting path that others can draw inspiration from in order to achieve even greater heights.
Girls’ Generation does this and more. Since the group’s debut, the members have faced challenges both as a group and as individuals. The songs they promoted weren’t always similar to their personal tastes, but they took what they were given and did the best they could with it. The multitude of criticisms the girls have faced throughout their careers in not only singing, but dancing, acting, song-writing and whatever else they have attempted were taken to heart and used to make themselves better. Jessica herself stated in an interview that she strives not only to spread Girls’ Generation around the world, but also K-Pop so that younger artists like her sister, Krystal from f(x), may one day surpass even her own achievements.
No one can deny the talent that Girls’ Generation possesses, and no one can ignore just how much hard work and dedication they put into getting where they are today. We should leave behind the mainstream definition of an “idol”, which says that they are mere “entertainers” or “talentless people who only look good”, acknowledge the effort they put into being respectable artists, and not make slight of their dreams to pursue new heights. Girls’ Generation is a group of artists that continue to hone their talents in hopes that their work will inspire other people. They are so much more than idols.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the author and are not representative of the Soshified community as a whole.
Written by: SeraphKY@soshified
Edited by: michaelroni@soshified, FrozenArctic@soshified, bhost909@soshified
Contributions: taengsoshi@soshified, MoonSoshi9@soshified
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very very well said. they could be idol when they first start as a bunch of fresh-face, pretty girls who sing and dance. but after all these years of performing and training and refinement, they have elevated themselves to more than just a ‘teen-idol’. Artist/Performer would defintitely be the right words to describe them.
Keep up the good work SNSD. Support always!!
:)
i think so too. they ARE more than idols. terrific article. <3
Amen to that. Great article. :)
I like calling them artists.
I have totally agreed. For me , an artist would be someone who try their very best to represent what they believed. And they did so great.
i call them artist… “artist” sounds a lot better than “idols”
My wish is that one day, SNSD will comeback with a song that is entirely written by themselves – the melody, chords, lyrics, everything. And the choreography entirely created by themselves too (maybe Hyoyeon for this one :D) Then they can show their own style and true talent as artists :)
SNSD is working there! Fighting! We love you <3
definetely agree with you.
really really wanna see they make album by themselves and with the choreo too, hope SM will let them to do by themselves, with the girls own taste of music, style, choreo, everything
Very lovely idols/artists/singers/dancers/entertainers/etc.!!!! Lot’s of words to describe what SNSD is like as a whole, and all of them fit these descriptions perfectly! :)
They are truly an artists :) professionals! ^^
I have to disagree wholeheartedly with the headline on this article here! It’s negative and reflects only the one person’s prejudices and is basically kinda racist lol! The thing to do here is instead of hearing the term using the dictionary’s definition – incorporate it in to your vocab with your own definition! By doing that you’re also promoting more pure positivity in to the world instead of focusing so much on the negative view you’re trying to change…
It’s silly to want them to stop calling them “Idols”; Actually it’s almost racist? jk lol :) I assume this was not the writer’s intent? But c’mon, why call for a change in what’s fully integrated in to another culture like this instead of accepting there are differences that exist? Heading sounds like a mission statement written by a missionary of some sort…like calling for an end to ‘aegyo’ will be next or something?
Yup..i think i can agree with you ^ ^..peace y’all
Definitely yes for me. They are more then just an idol or whatever cause they’re our 9 angels.
Hmmm… I can’t say if the author of this article had misinterpreted the term “artist”, but to me, what distinguishes an idol from an artist is the individuality and amount of self-expression that one puts into his/her work. Besides an ‘idol’ is much like a product of popular culture or appeal, they are made to do anything and everything to appeal to their audience, etc., and I can say that SNSD is much more fitted into this category. Then again, it can be possible that SNSD can become artists, but with SM Ent controlling their every song concept, video concept, etc. as a group, they still have a long way to go until they can express themselves individually and in an original, creative way.
Just my opinion, though. Any debate or objection to this is very much appreciated…
And seriously, what’s bad about being an idol anyway? Not all of us people have the same “mainstream definition of idol” that masses ascribe to pop singers today…
Well, I do agree that the term “Artists” sound much more interesting than “Idols”, and it fits the girls really well. An artist is one who do Art, and and Idol is a person people look up to (or just mere popular for that matter). I would very much like to call our girls “Artists” because they are not only Idols that represent beauty and talent, but they represent something more! Something more subtle yet profound, that I could not really explain in words. Maybe it’s their passion for the Art and more importantly for something they do, or for the fan! It just that holistically it is impossible for me to criticize the girl in any manner. Calling the girls “Artists”, to me, sounds really really natural, like something that is just axiomatic!!!
Calling them Idols are not wrong too, if you mean Idols are people that are loved by the public. But if someone says “they do not have talent, they are just pretty”, I will just laugh upon that person’s ignorance and is actually… not very rational (in stronger words just crazy!!).
i like this article please don’t get me wrong, the author’s passion and deep admiration towards the SNSD is extremely express here. BUT for me “terms” (idol or artist) are nothing but just pretty wrappers on my favorite sweets (candies, chocolates and crunches) what’s important is the “uniqueness” of taste or flavors that defines them. It is the undefinable experiences (emotional) of what the SNSD has been to giving to their fans that matters.
encasing a diamond ring in a box that has a ”24 -carat Gold” label, will never turn the Pretty Gem into a gold, it is what it is.
I’d like to apologize to the writer for my harsh rendering of her and her article. My tone was off for this forum and for the spirit in which the article was written.
Like a sports team, Soshi is put together, practiced, equipped, coached and managed to come out every day to beat their competition and win; and Sones are like fans who root for the home team with sometimes the rabidity of soccer/football fans’.
SeraphKY, I am sorry.