On December 22nd, 2013, Girls’ Generation held its Märchen Fantasy concert at the Korea International Exhibition Center. Upon finishing the opening set, the members continued their concert tradition of greeting the audience, but added a small surprise with their classic introductions. After Sunny and Tiffany introduced themselves as Girls’ Generation’s “energy pill” and “brighter than gems Fany Fany Tiffany”, Taeyeon took fans back to 2007, when she would still call herself Girls’ Generation’s “kid leader”.
Then and now, many found Taeyeon to be an unusual choice for a leader. She was timid and reserved, with even her group members saying they knew nothing about her. From the start, she felt that it was difficult to lead, as there were other members who were more outgoing and forceful, and though she was the oldest among them, there were five others in the group considered to be the same age. Still, sometimes the best leaders aren’t those who choose to lead. Taeyeon has shown time and again that her way of leading has made it so the other members can shine in their own ways, from giving the speeches to directing the visuals for an album. No one is a leader on their own, and Taeyeon has allowed us to see that her members are leaders themselves.
Because of this, sometimes people can overlook Taeyeon’s natural leadership, which the other members of Girls’ Generation continually turn to. Though Taeyeon may encourage other members to accept various awards, they sometimes (all the time (even as I write this)) still look to the kid leader to speak for the group. Taeyeon leads by example rather than by force, and at the conclusion of Girls’ Generation’s second tour through Japan, it was her who addressed the fans who attended the concert tour through a letter written in Japanese and put into words how thankful all of the members were.
Of course, Taeyeon also led Girls’ Generation’s foray into social media, creating an Instagram account that has since led to four others, two Weibo accounts, two Twitters, and even a YouTube channel. Though the members had promised each other not to use social networking sites, Taeyeon chose to break that rule when she thought of fans who were waiting for Girls’ Generation, and opened the floodgates for her group. With social media, the members of Girls’ Generation have given fans a glimpse into their lives, uploading pictures of their dogs, vacations, baby photos, dogs, family members, ski trips, and occasionally, dogs. They have had hilarious conversations, held informal question and answer sessions, and have talked with fans about nearly everything, from movies to food to music.
However, Taeyeon’s Instagram is just a little different, and through it, her leadership is seen once more. As much as she enjoys sharing photos of Ginger, Taeyeon has also used her Instagram to promote her members’ dramas and musicals, give previews for songs in upcoming Girls’ Generation albums, share her vote for the YouTube Music Awards, and inform followers of music video release dates. Photos from Girls’ Generations birthday parties, gatherings, and photoshoots are shown to more than a million fans all around the world instantly, many of which otherwise never would have been seen. She is Girls’ Generation’s most active member on social media, and has uploaded over 500 photos since she began sharing pictures on March 18th, 2013, less than one year ago.
Taeyeon’s hundreds of posts also show that it takes more to describe her than the word “leader”. Though she has been an idol for over six years, outside of Girls’ Generation, Taeyeon is a young woman, interested in drawing and cars, who plays “The Sims” and with various toys, and does her and her mother’s nails. At home, she is the middle child instead of the eldest, both a younger and an older sister, with proud and loving parents who travel to see their daughter perform in front of thousands. She is a lover of music, who shares the most amazing fifteen-second song covers you will ever hear.
As a member of Girls’ Generation, Taeyeon’s Instagram shows instead just how much she loves her members and her fans. She has posted countless photos of her eight closest friends, taught them to stitch together pictures to upload, and shares their efforts and hard work. While other idol groups who debuted after Girls’ Generation send members to release solo albums, Taeyeon instead is at home posting photos of her members’ dramas (while hoping for kiss scenes), and has only just released her first solo song not for an OST. She has thanked fans through comments on Instagram for taking photos of her when going to the airport alone, for coming up with “Taeng o’clock”, and started an Instagram account entirely for them. She has opened up her life and allowed people to see more of who she really is.
Perhaps most importantly, Taeyeon’s Instagram has proven what fans have known since first meeting Taeyeon as she was yelling off the Dongho Bridge: that she is a special kind of leader, who makes those around her shine, and an amazing idol, who always thinks of her fans. That she is an incredible singer, whose voice has soothed and awed hundreds of thousands, and a representative of Korea, who was invited to sing the national anthem overseas. And most of all, that after seven years, she is still Girls’ Generation’s kid leader, who wants nothing more than to sing with her beloved members for as long as she can. We hope she can do so for many more birthdays to come.
Sources: tftf_ss@Instagram.com, Manii Lim@YouTube.com, shun1990s@YouTube.com, flying petals, Cotton Candy, Thank You, Taeyeon’s Instagram
Written by: bhost909@soshified
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I’ve just saw this and it really makes me tears. This article is so great. SO SO GREAT!!! THANK YOU SOSHIFIED FOR MAKING THIS ARTICLE. This article reminds me everything about SNSD especially Taeyeon. They’re not just idol that we love but they’re like someone that makes us happy when we feel sad. Although they are far away but actually they are close with us through the social media and others. When Taeyeon started to enter instagram, that was like a big presents for me. We can know her more and chat with her more.
This article also reminds me that SNSD already changed my life. I feel like I don’t have any words to say about them anymore because they’re a lot of things to say. SNSD FOREVER!!!!! Thank you SNSD and HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TAEYEON. STAY HEALTHY AND WE WILL ALWAYS BY YOUR SIDE!!
Taeyeon is absolutely perfect.
Beautiful * -* !!!!
perfect kid leader~
yes, she’s oldest but she looks like maknae
with her ahjumma laugh just make her show off her aegyo.
really sarangsurowo~~
just wait for me taengoooooooooo….
The really cool thing is that Taeyeon will never grow old. She will only grow oldER.
I wish I could be around to see her still being Kid Leader when she’s my age (I’m 56).
Keith
The World’s Oldest SONE
A very great leader is our taengoo.. 탱고 짱 ~
happy birthday our taengo, wish you the best…
stay health n happy…
we will support you till the end..
and SSF staff continues to give heartwarming articles for a Soshi special day :’). that 50 seconds video makes my eyes moist. aw Taengoo, HAPPY BIRTHDAY love and hope you continue to have more wonderful b-days and more success in your life. THEE BEST LEADER A GROUP AND FANDOM COULD EVER HAVE. <3
my little Tae, always love you <3
i love this portrait… make me cry :(
I love you my dearest kid leader!
This article perfectly encompasses everything about why I consider her my ultimate K-pop bias(reading it nearly brought me to tears, too…). Happy belated birthday, Taeyeon! Saranghae!
Happy Birthday to our dearest kid leader! Taeyeon, we love you and always support you!!<3
Happy Birthday Taeyeon! Love ya ;)
Great Article, thank you very much.
Indeed, Taeyeon is natrual born leader, even she never want it.
Happy birthday Taeyeon, our Kid Leader.
May you have good luck in your future endeavours.
Kim Taeyeon, our kid leader, the strong cute dorky byuntae ahjumma krédji gurl. that we all love ! <3
Happy birthday ! Our angel !
Happy Birthday to the amazing Kim Taeyeon– a very talented, beautiful, intelligent, and fun person. You make it so easy to love SNSD. Have a happy happy day!! :)
Great article, thank you Soshified so much.
PS: It should be older brother, not sister.
Happy Birthday to Our Brightfull, Cute Dorky Kid Leader Kim Taeyeon, More shining on this year Hope you and the Girls are always in health and succesful.. God Bless You All Girls….
Let’s love and support them until the end! :)
Read This,
The phone call with Taeyeon – a fanaccount of Taeyeon Day
http://igotathought.wordpress.com/2014/03/10/the-phone-call-with-taeyeon-a-fanaccount-of-taeyeon-day/
Says you need a password…
Out of everyone I know I can take the most pain. Whether it be playing sports, getting into arguments, or just doing stupid things with friends. If I get injured or someone says something hurtful, I shake it off better then any of my friends. But this article wasn’t even sad. Girls’ Generation are the only people that have ever brought me to tears. They are constantly warming my heart whenever I read about them or see them. The day they stop doing Girls’ Generation, I’ll be honest, I’m going to cry. But they are the only ones that have been able to do that. They are talented, beautiful, and perfect every way. Bu they will do Girls’ Generation forever. It doesn’t matter if they stop performing or stop making songs. It doesn’t matter if they pass away at an old age or move on with their lives. Their legend will live on forever because they will be in our hearts forever. They will never be forgotten, even when we are on our death bed. Happy Birthday Taeyeon. May you live a long and wonderful life.
Same about that. They always soothe and soften my heart so easily. Whenever I think of them, I just can’t help but to smile suddenly, anywhere. All the best to them. <3 Soshi forever.