Main interview
The first time Vogue Japan had a shooting with SNSD was in April 2011. Appearing in that year’s issue in July, SNSD's approached us with warm smiles, even though the shooting took place in the poolside in chilly Seoul.
And after almost 1 year and a half we meet again in Tokyo. The members standing in front of the camera shine differently than previous time; I could feel the confidence and composure.
During this year they achieved first spot in the Oricon Weekly Chart for the first time and they received the million seller certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). It is also most likely they still have a feeling of having accomplishments left [to achieve].
To continue that million seller achievement done with “Girls’ Generation”, they released a second album “Girls’ Generation II: Girls & Peace”. Suitable global creators were also involved for the girls who are not only active in Asia. Miles Walker, the Grammy Awards winner, who produced Usher and Beyonce’s hit songs, is in charge of mixing the singles “Paparazzi” and “Flower Power.”
On the other hand, it was also an active year with live performances in Europe and America. Starting from Asia, including Japan, they also performed in the SMTOWN LIVE concerts in LA, NY, Paris, and more, together with artists like DBSK and Super Junior, who belong to the same company as them. Furthermore, SNSD’s live appearance on the popular American talk shows “The Late Night Show with David Letterman” and “Live! With Kelly” became a hot topic.
Adopted by a great number of American media, they were also largely introduced in the high class literary magazine “The New Yorker”, a same publisher as Vogue. The most interesting above all is the usage of the word ‘eye smile’ when explaining SNSD’s charms. In other words, when they are on stage, they smile at thousands of people, but for the fans they fall into an optical illusion where they think SNSD only looks and smiles at them. This is SNSD’s magic. From the point of view of mainstream Americans with a uniform ‘Hollywood smile’, a wide while showing their teeth, wouldn’t SNSD’s kindness emitting smile be displayed as fresh?
That’s why Vogue Japan requested to photograph SNSD’s smiles this time. For the first cut they had sweet smiles, and the second was cool. We also questioned them about ideal smiles.
We heard in advance from staff that the members had a tightly worked out schedule from early in morning on the same day, so when the girls appeared at the studio in Aoyama, Tokyo late at night we worried a bit if their energy would last till the end of our photoshoot.
But when they all lined up in front of the camera, Tiffany first asked in Japanese, “Can you turn on some music that will bring us in the mood?” The studio got engulfed by an explosive beat and while Hyoyeon was making the members laugh by dancing, Yoona imitated models walking on the runway, making everybody laugh non-stop. It’s the privilege of former youth, but by doing that our mood also went up and while laughing naturally the photoshoot ended without any problems.
Afterwards when asking about smiles, the most often reply was, “When we enjoy ourselves, the person watching will also feel it as well.” The members emphasized in one voice, “It’s the same with performances on stage” (Yoona) and “I believe you can naturally transmit your passion.” (Yuri)
Only their answers about their ideal smiles were different. While Hyoyeon said, “Laugh while showing your teeth,” Sooyoung said, “Don’t show your teeth.” Sunny answered, “Laugh so your eyes disappear,” and Tiffany added, “Make your eyes disappear and show your teeth a lot.” Seohyun said, “Whatever the smile what’s in one’s heart is more important,” and Taeyeon declared, “Anyway, a big smile.”
When looking at the smiles of great individuals of SNSD, we also start smiling. That is SNSD’s magic; you can’t take your eyes off of them.
