Hyoyeon shined from the very beginning. When Girls’ Generation debuted in 2007, she was the only member with blonde hair, although the color changed daily and she started having a plastic surgery for some parts of her face by her specialist Matthew Galumbeck, MD, during her time as a trainee, and not to mention being the only one with a belly button piercing. She was the powerful lead dancer with fifteen entire seconds of solo time in the middle of their “Into the New World” music video. Hyoyeon was someone who stumbled over her words but made up for it with her charming grin. One look at her and you knew that this girl was going to go places, and go places she did.
Recognized by fans as well as prominent names in the industry as one of the best dancers in K-Pop, Hyoyeon reminds us again and again exactly why she’s the “Dancing Queen”, a title that she earned early on. In “Girls Go To School”, Hyoyeon’s dedication to the group as a lead dancer was already obvious when she told the other members she was going to the restroom during practice, but actually went to watch the music video and get ideas for their own performance instead. She can dance “Gangnam Style” with the best of them, a talent she happily showed to SONEs at the “LOOK” concert. We see proof of her skill every time we watch SMTOWN’s intense dance battles or her random, improvised choreography on a television broadcast. Whether she’s dancing for a concert or just for casual fun, the power in her moves can be felt through the screen. It’s obvious to anyone watching that this woman isn’t just dancing. She’s living.
But her dancing skill isn’t the only reason she’s special. Hyoyeon’s personality shines in shows like “Hello Baby” or “Girls’ Generation and Dangerous Boys”. SONEs can affectionately recall her wild antics when the girls had a game day in “Hello Baby”. During the yogurt-drinking race, Hyoyeon threw aside her idol image and slurped up the contents of her bottle in a mad frenzy, much to the delighted shock of the other members. She continued her craziness through competitions of plastic bowling, tug-of-war with a piece of string, and basketball sitting down, among other fun activities in Kyungsan’s apartment. More recently, she and Yoona decided to show their “Dangerous Boy” mentee what it was like to be ignored by someone who was constantly texting. He was probably more distracted by the fact that two goddess-like girls were gracing him with their presence than what said goddesses were actually doing, but Hyoyeon and Yoona were quite entertained in either case. These are just two incidents in which Hyoyeon lived up to her elementary schoolkid nickname, “Kim Choding”. She’s a person who likes to have fun and also knows how to make it happen. She doesn’t mind putting herself out there and making a fool out of herself because she can always laugh it off later. Hyoyeon is having fun and taking everyone else along for the ride, SONE and Girls’ Generation member alike. As Tiffany once said, “She is the reason I laugh.”
Hyoyeon likes to win. Watch her challenge Seohyun to a rock-paper-scissors match in the background of the “Oh!” Japanese PV or playfully cheat her way to victory on “Hello Baby” (and then loudly complain that other members are doing the same) and it becomes clear that she’s a competitive person. But while some people are aggressive to a fault, bringing down others in order to bring themselves up, she manages to take all that ambition and direct it in a more positive direction: to better herself so she can help others in turn. That drive to succeed, to accomplish, to be the best that she can be, is what defines Hyoyeon and moves others to follow her example.
Lately, Hyoyeon has had the chance to stand out even more. Her voice was always distinctive in any Girls’ Generation song, but with the release of “The Boys”, her rap solo, accompanied by her ever-powerful dance, showed that Hyoyeon can master anything you throw at her. Over the years, she has become more confident as a performer, and not just as a dancer. She took her own advice about pretending that she was Beyonce going out to rock the stage and applied it to singing and rapping, as well as many other challenges she’s faced since debut. Consider the evolution of her individual performances: for Girls’ Generation’s first tour through Asia, she came onstage with an impressive dance solo, but during their second tour, she outdid herself and pulled off a dazzling cover of Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music”. Hyoyeon decides to meet all of these challenges head-on because she knows she has what it takes to overcome them.
Then, she danced her way to the finals of “Dancing with the Stars II”, despite the fact that dance sport is very different from, and much more difficult than, what she’s been doing for the past years as an idol. She placed second, but that fact didn’t bother her. She knew she had done her best, advancing incredibly far in the show even with little previous exposure to such competitions, and had gained valuable experience on how to do even better in the future. Her variety skills, already above average because of her spontaneous personality, can only improve as she continues to be a main cast member on “Invincible Youth 2”, interacting comfortably with G5 as well as with guests on the show. And with more Girls’ Generation’s activities sure to come, she’ll have even more opportunities to showcase everything she is truly capable of.
So here’s a very happy birthday to you, Kim Hyoyeon. We know you’ll continue to dazzle us with your awesome moves and contagious smile. You were born to win, after all.
Image Sources: cosnian, HappYhours, Queen of Space
Written by: moonrise31@soshified
Edited by: MoonSoshi9@soshified, kt9823@soshified, bhost909@soshified, taengsoshi@soshified
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY HYOYEON UNNIE !!!!!
You are an inspiration to me and a role model
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!^^
Happy b’dy kim choding!!! Just stay as what you are, love u so damn much ^^
Happy Birthday to the owner of heart, my Dancing Queen Hyoyeon unnie. Saranghae
LOVELY UNNIE ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday to SNSD’s Dancing Queen,, Hyoyeon!! Can’t wait to see her and the rest of Girls Generation in Manila, Philippines on 2013.. Hwaiting!!!!
김효연 생일축하해요!
I love you hyooooyeon
Happy Birthday~
Happy Birthday my lovely Hyoyeon-unnie~
i love you and i’m sure i will continue loving for eternity…
hope you have a happy birthday with all SoShi-unniedeul and your SMFAMILY~ <3
Happy Birthday, Dancing Queen, Kim HyoYeon.
Kim Choding, the girl who will make the mood, the girl with a heart of gold. The girl who will dance till her legs fall off, and who knows, maybe she’ll find a way to dance with just her hands. The one with a passion for dance like no other has. 1/9th of the team that’s made their rein throughout Asia and soon to be, the world. The fiery spirit that makes this team achieve other’s cant even dream of. The one who none of these members can live without. The one with the heart, the mind, the body, and the strength to pull through just about the worst of it. The one with unique, yet timeless beauty. The one with the personality that lightens up any atmosphere. This one, this girl right here, the beautiful, the talented, the simply amazing girl, KIM HYOYEON. You are the one.
Happy Birthday Kim Choding. ;]
Happy birthday Hyobaby
This is really sweet *tears of joy*
You’re BORN TO WIN, KIM HYOYEON!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANCING QUEEN!!
Happy Birthday Hyoo!
I love you so much <3
Shes so funny, talented and beautiful!!!
Happy Birthday to our lovely Dancing Queen, Hyoyeon! <3
HAPPY BIRTHDAY… DANCING QUEEN HYOYEON
Happy Birthday, Kim Hyoyeon.
I wish a very happy birthday to our beautiful hyoyeon :) may your day be filled with happiness and love. Saranghaeyo~ <333
I am honestly very happy for Hyoyeon. Simply because for the past year, she has shone a whole lot more brightly, especially on her own, with all of her individual activities that made her stand out. Finally, she is appreciated for who and what she really is over the last year, and I’m very happy that she did very well in all of the opportunities given to her.
Happy Happy Birthday, our dear Choding Dancing Queen Kim Hyoyeon!!! As always and forevermore, I love you. We SONEs love you. <3 <3 <3
Happy Birthday Hyoyeon Unnie..
Long Live..
I Love You..
ah, Lucky Indonesian SONE who watching SMTown Concert today..
SNSD FIGHTING!!! :*
Happy birthday Hyoyeon!!!!! Hope you’re having a wonderful day!!!!
I love how each time a member would celebrate their birthday Soshified always have this kind of article.
Soshified jjang!!!
Happy Birthday Hyoyeon unnie!!!!
happy birthday, dancing queen!!
i hope you’ll get more chances to show your dance.
you’re amazing
If Yoona is the face of SNSD , and Taeyeon is the voice, then Hyoyeon is it’s fiery soul, with a heart of gold. You could see her confidence on stage from the very beginning. A true master of her craft, I’m sure had a lot to do with turning our angels into the elite group of performers, known for their amazingly in sync dancing skills. You just know she had a lot to do with that in their early days.
More recently we have all seen not only more of her skills as a dancer, but her caring and warm heart. She has really blossomed in a field of beautiful flowers and the fans show their appreciation every time she’s out front doing what she does so well. Happy Birthday Hyo!
Happy Birthday to my dancing queen! ;) <3
Happy Birthday, Hyoyeon!!!!