Nearly ten years ago, a young Stephanie Hwang took her first step on a journey. It would be a lengthy one, bringing her to Paris and Beijing, New York City and Tokyo, Sydney and London, and countless other places she could only have dreamed of. Her very first stop on this journey, however, was in Seoul, South Korea, where she made a splash with her loud voice and long yellow hair, as only Girls’ Generation’s future pink princess could.
“It’s as much passion as you have, just follow it, and you can be where you want to be. I mean, I am.”
During her first years in Korea, cultural differences between her new home and her old meant that Stephanie was sometimes the subject of misunderstandings and confusion. Many scrutinized her every word and criticized her every action, this teenage girl who could have been of their daughter’s age. And yet, as only she could, Stephanie accepted everything with a smile, an apology, and a promise to work harder. She befriended anyone who would give her a chance, including eight very special young women, with her infectious enthusiasm and infinite kindness. As Stephanie became Tiffany when Girls’ Generation debuted, it was these same traits that won her the hearts of hundreds of thousands of fans around the world.
“Thank you to the fans who support us throughout… all over the world, thank you so much, and we’d be nothing without you.”
For these reasons and more, many fans of Girls’ Generation, no matter who their bias, have a soft spot for Tiffany. Of the nine members, she arguably risked the most to be a part of the group that SONEs love so much, having left behind her family, her friends, and a familiar culture. Tiffany moved halfway across the world for a chance to follow her dreams at only 15 years old, something fans realize most people could never do.
“In a family, we encounter happiness but also sadness, or good things but also bad things. However, let’s be together forever until the end.”
Moreover, fans have seen that Tiffany’s attachment to Girls’ Generation is greater than even that of their own. She has been affectionately nicknamed “T-Manager” by both fans and her members for her tendency to be protective of the group, to speak to SM Entertainment on their behalf before the others get a chance, and to count the members to make sure everyone is present. She is a SONE at heart, who does her best to support all of the members in their individual activities. In the past, Tiffany has been in the audience for almost every musical starring a Girls’ Generation member, from “Legally Blonde” to “Singin’ in the Rain”. She has appeared on “We Got Married” for Seohyun with Taeyeon, Hyoyeon, and Sooyoung and attended “Dancing with the Stars II” twice for Hyoyeon, once by herself and again with Taeyeon and Yuri. Tiffany also visited Yuri during the filming of “No Breathing” and Sooyoung at the set of “Dating Agency; Cyrano” with Taeyeon and Seohyun. Recently, she was Sunny’s first guest from the group on “FM Date” and went on “Jessica & Krystal” with Hyoyeon. For the past seven years, Tiffany has been the biggest fan of all of Girls’ Generation’s members, having even gone to every single one of the group’s concerts around the world. What else could her favorite color be?
“Everything, pink, mine.”
To someone unfamiliar with Girls’ Generation, it might seem strange that Tiffany is so dedicated to supporting her members’ dramas, movies, radios, musicals, and other activities when she is already so occupied with her own. She is frequently featured in magazines (sometimes traveling overseas to places such as Bali and Milan for photoshoots), sings OSTs for dramas, has starred in her own musical, endorses multiple fashion and cosmetic lines, and was a contestant on last year’s “Fashion King Korea”. In addition to promotions for Girls’ Generation, she is also one-third of the group’s first sub-unit and one of the most requested and experienced idol MCs, after starting all the way back in 2007 on “Sonyeon Sonyeo Gayo Baekso”.
“Let love outweigh the hardships & obstacles that we face – so that we may fight and never lose hope.”
Still, despite her own busy schedule, Tiffany has and will always make time for whatever her members may be doing, because they aren’t just her fellow members in a group anymore. After nearly seven years together of ups and downs, laughter and tears, sleepless nights and early mornings, and endless plane rides from one country to another, the others are no longer Tiffany’s colleagues, but her sisters. Tiffany has found a family away from her family: eight people who will always love her and care for her as much as she loves and cares for them; eight people who have come with her on her journey.
“The thing I want to say to my mom is… although she departed from me first, she left me with eight sisters. So I want to thank both my mom and God.”
Thus, it comes as no surprise to fans of Tiffany to see her devotion to Girls’ Generation, a group of people who she cherishes more than anyone could ever know, and who have helped make the dream that she gave up so much for come true. With her eight sisters, Tiffany has performed in sold-out concerts all over the world, recorded multiple albums and dozens of songs, hosted music shows and K-Pop festivals, started trends, and broken records. Her sisters came with her when her journey took her home to the United States, and she was able to sing on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “Live with Kelly”, shows she watched as a child. They came with her when her journey took her home to Los Angeles, and she opened a baseball game by singing the national anthem. They came with her when her journey took her home to her family, when she came back as an accomplished vocalist, a beautiful young woman, and a representative of Korea known all over the world.
“It’s like having eight sisters and best friends. We’ve realized and learned to lean on each other.”
Nearly seven years ago, Tiffany took her next step on a journey. It was another date she would never forget, and just four days after August 1st, it was the best belated birthday present she could ever ask for. It would become a milestone in her life, but also in the lives of eight others, because she would not be going alone. Coming with her were eight girls who she would grow to love just as much as they loved her. Still today, her journey continues. We can’t wait to see where she goes next. Happy birthday Tiffany.
“My lucky number is 9.”
Sources: 801Dayz, Complete Bliss, First-, Oh-TaeNy, Shining Smile
Written by: bhost909@soshified
Happy Birthday Tiffany, Fighting :)
Wonderfully written! Happy Birthday Tiffany! I love you and thank you.
Happy birthday to pink girl, Tiffany!
Tiffany unnie ah!! You really are an admirable person!!! Will support you today,tomorrow and forever with your 8 sister!!^^ Happy Birthday Unnie!! All the best wishes and Love You<3 :D
Happy Birthday Fanny you’ll always be my bias <3 .. This portrait made me chill :') !
happy birthday tiffany hwang i love you forever and always
Happy Birthday, our pink gangsta! :D
And the statement in here is so right. Tiffany, you’re not my bias, but you have a special spot in my heart. You’re also my favourite singer from SNSD alongside Taeyeon. No matter what people said, your husky voice is really like an Angle’s voice in my ears.
What I really love about you is your smile. It seems like you always smile whenever, wherever you are. And it’s just the brightest and the most cheerful one I’ve ever seen.
The one statement from Tiffany that I will never ever forget is the one she said in KJE Chocolate : “Eventhough my mom departed from me first, she left me with eight sisters”. And I remember everyone just broke down to tears hearing that.
Everybody in SNSD had to sacrifice many things in order to become like what you are now, but I always thought since the first time, since I watched Girls Go To School, that Tiffany had it the hardest. You came to Korea alone, having feud with your family (especially your father because she didn’t agree for you to be in this business), and even had to deal with so many critics and bashful comment about you who still had to adapt with Korean culture.
But, eventually, in the end, your smile and your honesty melted all hearts, even many hearts of critics and ANTIS.
You are a remarkable person TIffany Hwang…. And with this birthday, I know you will become even more mature and remarkable :)
Happy Birthday Tiffany, Thank you for the wonderful music and artistry. Looking forward to watching you shine for many years to come. Love You Forever!!!
Happy birthday Tiffany! There’s honestly too much to say about how much of an awesome person you are. You bring so much happiness to this world and I hope you know just how inspiring and amazing you truly are.
All of us SONEs love you so much and we hope you stay happy, healthy, and always continue to shine brighter than mushrooms! :]
Happy Birthday Tiffany (Stephanie)!!!!! Wishing you continues success and health and hope you make a professional return to the States. Looking forward to your next project.
Happy Birthday Tiffany !!!!!! Wishing you all health & happiness. You are truly 1 of 9 VERY, VERY special people in this world. Thank you for all the happiness & joy you bring to so many people. I LOVE YOU TIFFANY!!!!!
Happy Birthday, Tiffany! You’re one of my favorites in Girls’ Generation. Take care of yourself and your “Sisters”. I hope you and the rest of the group will be able to reach greater heights. :)
Aw SSF talented, gifted writer, you never cease to move me deeply with such lovely portrait. so freaking beautiful. i’m so glad you are a Sone and it seems a Fany bias too. <3 ;)
Babycake angel keep that beautiful lovely bright smile, that melts Sone and anyone else heart.
God bless and keep you safe, healthy and happy and of course successful in life and career.
no matter what babe, i'm Sone and loyal supporter to you and OT9 til the bitter end.
have a wonderful b-day with your 8 girls and families and other friends.
lawd if a miracle could happen where she make a quick stop on SSF just to say Hello! or Thank U!, anything to help make Sone day even more special. saranghaeyo eye-smile angel ♥♥♥
thanks SSF ♥♥♥
Happy Birthday to our PinkmonsterTiff! She is already 26 years old ohmygosh… please always be healthy and happy so that we can see your precious eyesmiles =]
The portrait is beautifull tho.. thanks!
Happy birthday to Tiffiny unnie!!!
Happy Birthday Tiffany unnie! I wish you best of luck in everything you do and always remember that we sones are always here for you. We are an indestructible and unbreakable bond! Love you lots! (:
Congratz our Pink Princess, brighter than gems Fany Fany Tiffany!! We hope you keep on smiling because it makes us SONEs so happy every time<3<3 Forever 9!!!!
Happy Birthday to our Brighter than jewel, Tiffany Unnie. Take good care of yourself and also to all the girls too.^^ Always remember that we, Sones are always be there for you no matter what. Lolololoooove youuuuuu :* :)))
Again, Happy 26th birthday to SNSD’s SNS hacker,Tippany! :D You totally grown up! Mwaaa :*
God Bless.^^
Happy birthday, our dearest “brighter than the mushroom” Tiffany!
Bible verses to you as your birthday gift: Philippians 4:6-7, Joshua 1:9, Proverbs 17:22.
I do not know how you can do it, but I only know that for the last seven years, whether SNSD is up or down, or whether you are up or down, you endlessly smile to support, to cheer up/for, to encourage your 8 SNSD sisters, and you have never failed a single time to be the first one to do so.
God bless you with full abundance and many beautiful things and moments with your 8 SNSD sisters in the upcoming year!
Happy Birthday Tiffany! Stay cheery and beautiful always and forever! =)
Time flies! happy happy happy birthday! Our beloved mushroom.. Hahahha its happy to remember that before you messed saying you’re intro. Now your getting older and mature. Hahaha but of course becoming more gorgeous as ever. I wish you all the happinessssssss& love & health,success same as others:)
yes whatever happens we still here .. Its your day and I hope you spoil your self. I love you
Happy Birthday Tiffany unnie! ^w^
Wish you all the best for your special day.
Love you and all the girls too!
Happy Birthday to this wonderful, amazing, sweet and kind person. As you said, even if she’s not my bias, she have a very special place in my heart. Reading this i almost cried.
our favorite color is pink, our favorite number is nine and our favorite band is Girls’ Generation Happy Birthday to the biggest Sone ever God bless you and wishing you the best for the days to come love you forever in my heart Tiffany Hwang
Happy Birthday! I hope you are taking care of yourself well. Please stay healthy and always be happy, we are always here with and for you^^ Love you!!
Thank you for this wonderful portrait :)