It’s ironic how the smallest things can be so full of surprises, isn’t it? And yet, this always seems to be the truth. Perhaps we shouldn’t be so astonished anymore, but honestly, who can’t help but be surprised at what Sunny Lee Soonkyu does? She’s a singer, dancer, actress, television emcee, variety show star, model, spokeswoman, and radio personality. She catches chickens, handles snakes, and takes care of cows. She protects fellow members from unwanted advances. However, she also makes the cutest faces and says the cutest things, so much so that many people want to punch her in the face. No matter how you view Sunny, whether you like the ditzy persona she takes on for fun, or the responsible and brave go-getter she becomes when everybody else is scared off, there is no denying that Sunny can do everything.
The first thing anybody should think of with any Girls’ Generation member is singing. Sunny is one of the main singers, and despite the fact that she has massive connections as Lee Sooman’s niece, Sunny actually had the foresight to become successful on her own volition. In fact, she even started out with a rival talent agency before transferring over to SM Entertainment so that cries of nepotism would not arise. However, one listen to her voice would have calmed everybody’s fears anyway. Even though she shares the spotlight with eight other girls in most songs she partakes in, one can easily tell how amazing Sunny’s talents are. Just like what she can do off the stage in her own life, she can take on the cute, high voice or the deeper, fuller projection depending on what the song calls for, something most of the other members don’t do. Sunny is also talented enough to participate in soundtracks as a solo artist, like with “Finally Now” from “Story of Wine”, or in duets, like with Taeyeon in “Heading to the Ground”’s “It’s Love”.
Like all the other members though, being a part of Girls’ Generation requires an all-around ability to entertain. Sunny definitely takes this to heart. The first time we ever saw her true fearless character was when she handled a snake on “Factory Girl” when the other girls were unsurprisingly scared. She further showed her ability to handle animals and hard work on “Invincible Youth”, catching chickens in mid-air and being in charge of Greeny the cow, and even taking care of a donkey in the second season of the show. Her reputation as the smartest and most experienced member has earned her the nickname of “Invincible President”, among other monikers. Of course, if she can use her aegyo to get army soldiers to do work for her, she doesn’t hesitate to do so.
However, using aegyo has its risks as well. While most fans may love Sunny’s random displays of cuteness, most of her fellow Girls’ Generation members, and even some others close to her, seem to tire of this personality. For every Boom that Sunny melts, there’s a Jessica to yell at her, a Yoona to punch her, a Tiffany to kick her, or a Minho to go after her. Nevertheless, Sunny still performs her famous pouts and begging, much to the delight of the fans.
Sunny’s aegyo has taken a bit of a backseat lately, though, since she has to maintain her professionalism as one of the busiest Girls’ Generation members. Her acting talents have taken her from voicing a koala in the animated film “Koala Kid: Birth of a Hero” to acting on stage in the musical “Catch Me If You Can”. She has hosted the radio show “Chunji” and TV shows “The M” and “Music Island”. Of course, she has fun with all of this as well, like teaching Sunhwa moves to “Oh!” on “The M”. But a job still has to be done professionally and with class, and Sunny has handled everything put in front of her well.
To this point, it’s been well-addressed that Sunny is rarely fearful of anything or anyone, and that she attacks each task with vigor. So it is mildly surprising that the one thing Sunny is afraid of is fireworks, due to living in Kuwait for a couple years during the height of the Persian Gulf War. She has been seen cowering while Tiffany holds her and covers her ears. But despite the fact that Sunny is afraid of this one thing when she can handle a lot of other items most people will shy away from, this only adds to the huge character packed into her short body, making her the Sunny everyone adores. Sunny epitomizes the idea of not judging a book by its cover, because if you do, a surprise is always going to be in store. Maybe she will get a surprise birthday party for her 23rd (24th) birthday, but even if she doesn’t, Sunny deserves a happy birthday nonetheless.
Sources: Helianthus, KBS, [email protected], Our Love Sunny, Withsosi, Soshified Photo Gallery
Written by: residentbenchwarmer@soshified
Contributors: michaelroni@soshified, MoonSoshi9@soshified
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DEAREST SUNNYYYY!!!
Happy 23rd (24th) BIRTHDAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!
yesterday my life was filled with rain
you smiled at me and really eased the pain
the dark days are gone, and the bright days are here
my sunny one shines so sincere
sunny, one so true, i LOVE you!!
Thank you for the article! she truly is exceptional <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
when i wrote my letter to snsd, i felt bad because i wrote probably the least eloquent piece about sunny, which just so happens to be my preference among the girls if i absolutely had to choose. all i said was that i liked her. i couldn’t do any better than that, even for my perfect woman. i had regret over that lack of appreciation, but i hope it is not taken as such. i think i had such a hard time describing, specifically, why i liked sunny because there is no one single thing that defines her. she is an all-around woman in the truest sense of the term. she’s going to be a good wife, mother, friend, everything…everything she does, she does the right way. every act calls for admiration. and i think that is why “i like her” is the most honest, most accurate means for me to express my appreciation for her. i do not like only one thing, i like everything, every little detail, that composes our sunny. there are many people, physically bigger and stronger, that will get weak in the knees at her character, her will. i’ve tried my best and still failed miserably to describe my appreciation for sunny. it is beyond what words are capable of expressing. i like you sunny…that’s all i can say to my girl…Happy Birthday!!!
Happy birthday Sunny unni,,,,let’s celebrate the birthday’s party together!!! hehehe….
stay healthy,keep your smile and be an energy pill to your members for forever
Happy Sunny Day…..
Sones always love you :)
Sunny’s always the best…love her much <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3!! :D
lovely sunny!!!
happy bday sunny!
~> Happy B-da Soon-kyu or ” Energy Source Sunny”
– It doesn’t matter if you are the smallest in SNSD, But in our hearts,
You are the tallest !!>. :DD
~> Wish you all the best !!>. always be the cutest aa!!>..
heheheh..
she is very entertaining, very funny beside yoona, sooyoung, hyohyeon and yuri. hope she more successfull than before
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUNNY UNNIE WISH YOU REALLY REALLY THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!
SONE LOVE YOU :******
Happy Birthday Sunny!!! :D
Ahhh her aegyos! It’s kinda like a love-hate thing, but I don’t hate it, makes me go ARGH sometimes tho haha! in a good way :)
I hope she and SNSD will be more successful now and in the future!
Saengil Chukha Hamnida!
Sarangahaeyo Sunny, SNSD !
Hwaiting! <3
This is a lovely article that brings back truckloads of images of Sunny doing what she does best – entertaining us. We are so lucky to have such an awesome team of 9 girls – each special in their own way – but really… SUNNY!!! I have to say that you are undoubtedly my favourite, ultimate bias and most loved member of SNSD.
Thank you for all the hard work you’ve put into being responsible for your work. You have also gone over and beyond with your fan service and abundance of moments and things to spazz over. It’s a great pleasure to be a fan of yours.
EVERYDAY IS SUNNY DAY! Energy pill of SNSD :D You live up to that name most certainly.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! <3
happy birthday Sunny……
Happy Birthday Sunny!!! :D
I hope you have many wonderful days to come.
I supported and loved you back then, I support and love you now and I will continue to support and love you in the many years to come!
Lee Soonkyu Hwaiting!
Happy 23rd Birthday Sunny Bunny!
Lee Soonkyu I hope you never ever change, just stay the way you are. Remember to protect your 8 beautiful and loving sisters.
You shine brighter every year.
Our Sunnyful energiser <3
Happy Birthday my beloved Sunny….
Our 1 & onli Sonkyu.
Almost 4gotten dat she’s a energizer bunny. ^.^
Luv her 4ever & ever…. Happy birthday SunnY Lee Sonkyu. :D
Happy birthday Sunny!
Such a great article here! I really wish I can be as creative and as heartfelt with writing as the ones I see hear.
One thing of note, especially for Sunny in this year that has passed since her last birthday. It was tough for her, missing most of the concert in Saitama (?), Japan because she was rushed to the hospital (and then just came back during the encore performance). That was really really really heartbreaking. I couldn’t even bear to watch the videos without crying myself. But now, she’s become stronger and better afterwards.
And now, watching her on TV in IY2, I am really amazed that she is so cute and energetic again. Even if she’s the most senior member of G8, she acts all cute that I really wanted to punch her in the face all the more than compared to IY1. And finally seeing her in Bangkok last February, I can see really how amazing she is.
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEE SOONKYU!!! OUR DEAR ENERGIZER SUNNY BUNNY!!! Wishing you all the best in your life, at least for the next one year. ♥♥♥
Happy Birthday Lee Sonkyu!!!
Wooooooo! Cookies all around!
she’s so smart and talented . . happy birthday noona <3
Happy Birthday to sunny, time flies when we enjoy it :) … she’s not a girl anymore, she’s a woman, eventough she always do the aegyo thing :). I’m really happy every year when sunny’s birtday is coming because she is my bias. From the first time i saw her, i already know she will become brighter like her nickname maybe beyond that. Every girls’ generation member has unique personality, and Sunny too.
23 years ago no one knows what will she become
from ordinary girl to someone special for every SONE
And now she’s standing in the big stage, under the spotlight
but her own Light…is Brighter
she give every SONE smile, and energy
when we down with her aegyo.
Happy Birthday our Sunny…. ^ ^
hello my dear Sunny :)
happy birthday
selamat ulang tahun! :)
i am soooo happy knowing that you enjoy the life and be healthy all the time :)
She’s someone who’s easy to love.
Unnie, you’re definitely an inspiration. <:
I love you to death! <3
Happy Birthday dear Sunny! :) You are precious to all of us and you always make us happy with your jokes and aegyo. We have to thank God a lot for introducing us to a person like you. God bless and enjoy your birthday.
Beautiful article (;
Happy Birthday Sunny <333
luv her for who she is…