Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “HYOLO? Hyohunny, please. I know what this article’s going to be about—endless praise about Hyo’s globe-trotting, party-going, Bangkok-loving lifestyle.” You probably even rolled your eyes at the oh-so-clever portmanteau of Hyo + YOLO.
For those not “in the know”, “YOLO” is an acronym of the phrase, “You only live once”—a phrase used by the youths of a culture that derives its pleasures from living boldly and adventurously. It almost epitomizes youthful vigor and vitality—living on the edge, seizing the moment, all for the sake of pleasure. Why not do the things you want? What are you waiting for? You only live once—just do it!
However, Kim Hyoyeon grew up with a different idea of “you only live once.”
“What is your life motto?”
“‘The place where I am standing
will become a flower in an unchanging land;
I will be a person as clean as the stream water,
and be diligent, sincere, and honest!’“This is a little long to call a motto, but it’s something my father has always been saying since I learned how to speak. I think this phrase contains everything my father wants to say…. I remember he would check if I had this memorized once a week.” [i]
You don’t really see it at first glance, but after watching Hyoyeon for a very long time, you begin to notice just how much of an impact Hyoyeon’s parents have had on her life: from her everyday habits to the starting point of her career and life as she knows it.
“When I was young I didn’t know that I could dance well, but my father felt that I had the potential to make something of it, so he encouraged me early on and made it possible for me to dream of being a singer.” [ii]
That act alone gave Hyoyeon the motivation and, later on, the opportunity to enter the world of the Korean entertainment industry—for it was none other than her father who took her picture and submitted it to SM Entertainment, a move that opened the door for an audition at SM. But both her father and her mother showed Hyoyeon the extent of their love for her and their faith in her gift for dancing, investing a great deal of love and sacrifice on her behalf:
“Before I debuted in SNSD, I spent 7 years as a trainee, but right from the first day I came to SM until the day I debuted, my mother or my father would always come with me, and they’d wait outside SM for the 6-7 hours that I was practicing. Even now, I think that it’s because I have parents who always encourage and cheer me on that I am able to do this and enjoy it.
“Because parents worry about their children, especially when they’re that young. Also, throughout the seven years, their expectations of me grew bigger and bigger. So I think there was a lot of pressure coming from those thoughts. I practiced while thinking a lot about how happy my parents would be when I debut. I worked hard.” [iii]
Hyoyeon learned early on that pursuing the dreams of a bright and glorious future wasn’t a walk in the park. She acknowledged her parents’ sacrifices for the sake of her future, and she did her very best to live up to that: working hard, only looking forward, never complaining.
Enduring the fall from glory
But things took a different turn after Hyoyeon debuted with Girls’ Generation. “I was only popular when I was a trainee!” she said on “Happy Together” during the “I Got A Boy” promotions. “Then after debut it kinda… just…” The cold reality of the entertainment industry came crashing down on Hyoyeon, and it took her by surprise—her years of hard work and her parents’ investments of time and money amounted to nothing in the real world, despite such positive feedback and esteem from both her peers and superiors alike.
“Other people say it’s difficult dancing with power, but I’m the opposite and have difficulties dancing without power. And so, for a while, trying to match Girls’ Generation’s color was homework for me. I believed that if I worked hard, I would be able to capture the hearts of the public, but the reality was different from what I had imagined, and I suffered because of this.” [vi]
I think that’s why she was always mentioning “Kissing You” in all of her interviews. It was a period when she was struggling the most with the discrepancy between the demands of her role in Girls’ Generation and the urge to show off the skills she’d honed for nearly half of her life at the time.
“There was a time where I resented having to give up dance lessons I personally planned, wondering why [SM isn’t] helping me when I’m trying to have my own time to grow.” [vi]
Work still harder
“Have you ever wanted to quit Girls’ Generation?”
“Instead of thinking about wanting to quit, I think about what I have to do in order to work harder, about why I have made such an effort until now.” [vii]
The unfortunate reality of life is that there are times when we work wholeheartedly and vigorously towards a goal which fails to come to fruition. But there is a distinct and raw nobility in those who work still harder despite the undesirable outcome, whose humility is such that they bear the responsibility themselves instead of blaming their circumstance or situation. Hyoyeon is such a woman.
“I never felt that it was unfair.” Hyoyeon’s eyes grew big and round. “I think everything was my own doing, that my name was known as much as the effort I put in. Of course I did work hard in the past, but on the other hand, while [participating in Dancing with the Stars], I also realized ‘I can work this hard.’ I also thought, ‘Before this show, too, I should have worked harder. If I focus this much then there’s nothing that’s impossible.’” [viii]
The place where I am standing is a flower in an unchanging land; I will be a person as clean as the stream water and be diligent, sincere, and honest!
Life is short, but despite it being a small drop of time in a sea of eternity, there is still value in living as a pure, hardworking woman who is honest with herself and the people around her. In a world where the state of being cynical and jaded is almost the prime defense against the injustices of this world, big or small, Hyoyeon manages to be that one pure flower in an unswervingly ruthless world—that diligent, sincere, and honest flower ever blooming before our eyes.
But Hyoyeon could only have flourished as such in the right environment, nurtured and supported by a group of fellow trainees turned into sisters, for each of whom she bears great love and affection. And just as her parents had taught her and shown her—the ultimate expression of love is sacrifice.
“[Hyoyeon] showed her affection for Girls’ Generation by revealing, ‘Thinking about how the nine members need to harmonize, I tried really hard to become one group, rather than trying to stand out with dancing.’” [vi]
The girl whose talent far exceeds that of her peers, whose hardworking, persevering mindset has remained steadfast all these years, whose goal it was to be a solo dancer-singer in her own spotlight on her own stage—put all of that talent and determination and effort into not standing out—all for her love of eight sisters.
“The members’ individual stages did receive a good response at the last concert. But I was the member who suggested we take solo stages out this time, and center it around showing stages with the nine members together. This was because I’m confident that, right now, the performance our nine members can show is really great.” [vi]
I think that is, in itself, the key factor that defines the Soshibond. Despite the fact that each singular member possesses an abundance of talent by herself alone—that they are, individually and respectively, truly amazing and vibrant in their own, unique ways—their true strength lies in their bond with one another: They choose to be amazing together rather than being amazing apart—to share and enjoy the glory together rather than basking in it alone.
The fact of the matter is, Hyoyeon isn’t alone in the sacrifices she’s made. Each and every single member of Girls’ Generation has made sacrifices large and small in her life for the sake of this indestructible, unbreakable bond. And I think that’s what makes things easier—or rather, that’s what makes it all worth it. They understand more than anyone else that glory is fleeting, but there’s just something extraordinary and miraculous about this bond of friendship that rivals familial ties, and that’s something you rarely see more than once in a lifetime. After all… you only live once.
“Our members are always a source of help and comfort when things get rough. Not one, not two, but eight! I feel really secure…It still amazes me how not just one or two, but all nine of us have such a strong bond. Our members help me out and bring me joy when I’m struggling, and console me when I’m sad. I love you as much as my family. This is a gift.” [ix]
“I met eight great members. I really don’t think that anyone else could get along like how our nine girls get along so well. Because we’re girls, there can be a lot of jealousy going on. Thinking back on it now, I think I’m a kid that received a lot of good fortune.” [iii]
[i] NHK MUSIC JAPAN SNSD Special [2011.06.09]
[ii] Dancing with the Stars 2 – Episode 8 [2012.06.22]
[iii] Star Life Theater – Episode 10 [2011.11.22]
[iv] Shinhwa’s comeback press conference [2012.03.05]
[v] SMTOWN’s “I AM” movie premiere press conference [2012.06.18]
[vi] 1st Look Magazine Vol.48 Cover Story – “Rhythm Emotion Hyoyeon”
[vii] The Best Album – Solo Interview Movie
[viii] Hyoyeon’s DWTS Interview [2012.07.20] (translation) (original source)
[ix] All About Girls’ Generation: Paradise in Phuket – Hyoyeon’s Self-Talk
Sources: DOUBLEYOU, [email protected], “1st Look” Magazine,
Written by: anye@soshified
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to thee dopest hip-hop/pop/lock/free-style talented, heartwarming, dedicated, lovable, beautiful smile, honest and humble personalities aka that very ultimate special someone is none other than K.I.M H.Y.O.Y.E.O.N. GODDESS/ANGEL/SEXY/BAD@$$ DANCING QUEEN/MACHINE OF OT9s’ and SONES’ WORLD. thank you to Almighty and her parents for creating her and sharing her with all of us. i hope she had a wonderful b-day and spent a whole lot of happy time together with her 8 Soshi sisters, other friends and of course her family. Hyo~ah i hope we’ll get to see your name on future Soshi work such as creating dope choreography for MVs and concerts. hwaiting Hyobaby!
kamsahamnida SSF for another heartwarming, wonderful, beautiful portrait for another beautiful Soshi.
ugh she’s so bloody hot in the 1st pic. goodness look at her ABS, her porn blonde hair, that bloody outfit… the whole dawgone…HER DAMMIT HHHEEEEEERRRRR! ♥_♥
Happy birthday, Hyoyeon! Your dad has a great lady for a daughter!
I think this was the most emotional birthday post for me to read. When I first got into Girls’ Generation, I always said that Hyoyeon was my least favorite because she didn’t stand out to me at all. But as the years have gone by and I’ve come to learn more about her and see her in more variety and behind the scenes stuff, I’ve come to really love her and it’s opened my eyes to how talented she really is.
Happy birthday to Hyoyeon and I hope your day was wonderful, unni!
What a Wonderful Soshified tribute to Hyoyeon on her Special Day :).
Kudos to Hyoyeon for being such an inspiration of Selfless Love for the rest of us SONEs everywhere.
Have a Very Blessed Birthday, Kim Hyoyeon :D.
Hyoyeon Daebak!
Cheers!
Kenneth.
Yay !!! Hyolo day !!!!! just enjoy ur live as u always do…we will back u up !!! And don’t go too much club…u can’t meet good guy there
Happy B-Day Hyoyeon! <3
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAREST HYOYEON!
You are so amazing to me. You’re always be the best for me.
On your special day, I wish you will get more happiness in your life. Meet a great man to be with. Healthy both inside and outside. May your dreams come true. Success awaits you..
btw, thank you soshified to make such heart-warming story (as usual)..
Happy birthday Kim HyoYeon
Happy birthday Hyo-yeon :)
Be happy and healthy…. May all your dreams come true.
Happy birthday, Hyoyeon-unnie~ :DDD
God bless you on this special day! Thank you for all the laughs, your smiles and all the wonderful things you’ve done that put smiles on our faces. May you always bring us happiness! Hope you had a great day. I love you! <3 <3 <3
Happy Birthday my ultimate bias♥♥♥
Happy Birthday Hyoyeon ~♥
Happy birthday hyo unnie!!! This is a beautiful article, thanks ssf <3
Happy BIrthday Hyoyeon kim,stay funny and healthy
Hyolo! The one and only dancing queen
Hyolo! The one and only dancing queen
Wow, this article is really quite amazing. In the several years I’ve been a SONE and an admitted Sooyoungster and Sunshiner, these articles about the other girls always warm me up and remind me why I’m a SONE in the first place. Hyoyeon-unnie, there’s a language barrier I’d struggle to overcome to say thank you, for your humility as shown here, and also for instances brought to mind where you did put the others first. I’m rooting for you, and wish you only more happiness and further chances to shine in the future~ Happy birthday!
Great article for our dancing queen.
Happy Birthday Hyoyeon !!!
#happyhyoloday
the writer did a really great job on this~ #HappyHyoloDay!!!
Happy BIrthday Hyoyeon
wishing you many many more birthdays to come.
Wishing you happiness in love and in life
with love a Greek Sone
happy birthday hyoyeon!! #happyhyoloday ;)
Happy Birthday HyoYeon
Keep dancing, laughing, smiling !
Happy birthday
Happy birthday Hyoyeon Unnie.
wow great article btw, happy birthday our dancing queen, all the best for you