Sense & Sensibility - Sooyoung
-Who would you choose as a style icon in Girls’ Generation? Is it a bit much bragging about yourself? (laugh)
SOOYOUNG: I kind of owe it to my surroundings. My dad ran a fashion business, and my mom enjoyed dressing me up since I was little. The way I see it, Jessica and Tiffany basically seem to have some sense in matching colors. They choose simple items sensibly well. I’m learning a lot from seeing them.
-Wouldn’t being able to catch each other’s strengths in itself be considered fashion sense?
SOOYOUNG: I don’t know if I have a lot of interest in it, or if I dress well. Even my mom also tells me, “It’s funny seeing people call you a fashionista.” Every day, I stand in front of my closet and think for an hour. And then I worry about what I would get rid of before I go out. I don’t really like having too much.
-You’ve gotten really pretty as of late. Along with beauty, there is an eccentric ‘superior length’ aura.
SOOYOUNG: To be honest, I wish I had more of a build/frame. Even though she’s tall, Jeon Jihyun unnie gives off a sexy feel, and has a good looking, glamorous figure. My members know that I get stressed because of my slim figure, but when I go and talk about this elsewhere, they call them ludicrous statements.
-True, thin people also seem to have a lot of worries. Then what efforts do you put into creating a healthy figure?
SOOYOUNG: I eat a lot and exercise. Really though, my members, including myself, really do eat a lot. (While talking, she looked at a lip product on the vanity) This is really pretty. I like peach colors like this. I’m not the type who likes wearing makeup, but I always carry a lip product in my bag. Because I consider applying something on your lips is etiquette.
-Are colors you normally like pastel tones like this?
SOOYOUNG: No, when it comes it clothes, I like monotones more. Rather than liking them because it’s classy, but because it’s easy to match with. I’m actually still trying to grasp my own style. (At that moment, a stylist next to us chipped in that Sooyoung’s look is french chic.) Then I have a ‘French chic look’. Please make sure to write that the stylist said that. Because it would be embarrassing saying it myself. Haha.
-You’re in the midst of your arena tour, right? Japan is a bit of a special place for you. You debuted in the duo girl group ‘Route O’ in Japan first.
SOOYOUNG: That’s right. It is special. There are fans who remember me from when I debuted long ago, and there are also people who bring my old CD to receive autographs, so it’s really extraordinary.
-When you go to Japan, do you go around to places that hold memories?
SOOYOUNG: In the past, I was afraid of going out alone, and had to mind my manager, so I didn’t get to go around much. I actually go around more now. (laugh) Not too long ago, we went to a hot spring in Niigita by ourselves. I think we make a lot of memories going around on tour.
-Overseas activities also hold those meanings, too.
SOOYOUNG: Also, Girls’ Generation’s Japan activities became a turning point for me. We debuted in Japan 2~3 years ago, and that was when I was in the midst of feeling skeptical about the career of a singer. I was starting to become tired of things like living as a group, and having to go around endlessly like a wheel. But it was different once we got to Japan.
-How was it different?
SOOYOUNG: When we got off the plane, there were fans out to meet us, a car was there to pick us up, and those surroundings were really new to me. When I was 13, I used to get on the plane by myself. When I arrived in Japan, only my manger would be there waiting for me, and I would take the taxi when going around. But coming back as a Girls’ Generation member, things I couldn’t do by myself became possible with 9 members. That’s when I realized. I shouldn’t have thought, ‘Do I have have to go on with this career, being knocked over like this at a young age?’. Once I got around to thinking about it, I was thankful for Girls’ Generation existing, and I was thankful, once again, for having that turning point.
-It was a really good thing that you went to Japan.
SOOYOUNG: We are really lucky. Rather than being lucky by succeeding in something we attempt, we’re lucky when it comes to getting chances to set our heads straight. To be honest, we’re people, too; we can’t always be the same. We just try. That’s also showing good manners to people we work with. But, fortunately, we really do always get opportunities to return to basics.
-Don’t you think one of those opportunities was your acting attempt? I heard that you prepared a lot for ‘The 3rd Hospital’.
SOOYOUNG: The preparations I did were me consistently receiving acting lessons since I was younger, and also majoring in acting in school. Honestly, rather than learning how to act in school, it was greater experiencing the regular, daily life that people my age live.
-It seems you’re fulfilling life as ordinary Sooyoung to a certain degree through college life.
SOOYOUNG: Yes. I actually didn’t have many thoughts of wanting to attend college. But my mom told me that it’s not just to go study, but to learn a different, smaller society in the campus, and that she thinks it would be nice if I were to experience that, so I went. I’m really thankful to my mom right now.
-How are your classes this semester?
SOOYOUNG: I took a leave of absence not too long ago. Because I’m constantly in Japan, and I wouldn’t be learning anything, so I didn’t think there was much meaning in me completing my credit. I want to learn something and apply it, but it really felt like those classes I wouldn’t be able to listen to were being wasted.
-Isn’t that opportunity cost? You could learn something else instead.
SOOYOUNG: I’m trying to look for something to do while resting.
-But I noticed you don’t have time to rest.
SOOYOUNG: I honestly am not sure what resting exactly is. Whether it means taking 10 days off and visiting a vacation spot, or just bumming around at home all day. If you say it’s both, I’m kind of doing both right now. Haha. But is there even a job where you can go away whenever you want to? I think that would apply to, not just me, but everyone… Oh, there is this. Not stress from work, but from people’s eyes. There is stress that hits me from confinement every now and then. But it goes around after a few days. That’s all. It’s a career that I chose.
-Just listening to you talk, you don’t sound like you’re in your mid-20s. Is it because it’s been a while since you’ve debuted?
SOOYOUNG: It’s been 10 years since I’ve debuted last year. Seeing how it’s been 11 years already, I have been doing this for a while. I wonder how BoA unnie feels? It’s really incredible.
-Now that it’s been 10 years, what might be some areas or new appearances you will attempt that we can look forward to? You’re acting and MCing already.
SOOYOUNG: MCing… I get really embarrassed whenever ‘Midnight TV Entertainment’ is brought up. I can’t say that I’m good at MCing, and the area I’m most interested in is acting. I’m going to continue acting, and it’s like a job that constantly gives me homework. I really enjoyed the time filming the drama.
-Is there a character you would like to play from any recent works?
SOOYOUNG: There is a film that provoked me recently. ‘Silver Linings Playbook’. The lead female in that film, Jennifer Lawrence, is the same age as me. She received the award for best actress at the Academy Awards this year. Of course, the situation is different because I’m in Girls’ Generation and am a singer, but when looking at it with an acting career, I’m jealous. I was really jealous wondering how she could play a role like that at that age. I hope there is a day where I can show off resonating acting, too.
- trans by chosshi
-Who would you choose as a style icon in Girls’ Generation? Is it a bit much bragging about yourself? (laugh)
SOOYOUNG: I kind of owe it to my surroundings. My dad ran a fashion business, and my mom enjoyed dressing me up since I was little. The way I see it, Jessica and Tiffany basically seem to have some sense in matching colors. They choose simple items sensibly well. I’m learning a lot from seeing them.
-Wouldn’t being able to catch each other’s strengths in itself be considered fashion sense?
SOOYOUNG: I don’t know if I have a lot of interest in it, or if I dress well. Even my mom also tells me, “It’s funny seeing people call you a fashionista.” Every day, I stand in front of my closet and think for an hour. And then I worry about what I would get rid of before I go out. I don’t really like having too much.
-You’ve gotten really pretty as of late. Along with beauty, there is an eccentric ‘superior length’ aura.
SOOYOUNG: To be honest, I wish I had more of a build/frame. Even though she’s tall, Jeon Jihyun unnie gives off a sexy feel, and has a good looking, glamorous figure. My members know that I get stressed because of my slim figure, but when I go and talk about this elsewhere, they call them ludicrous statements.
-True, thin people also seem to have a lot of worries. Then what efforts do you put into creating a healthy figure?
SOOYOUNG: I eat a lot and exercise. Really though, my members, including myself, really do eat a lot. (While talking, she looked at a lip product on the vanity) This is really pretty. I like peach colors like this. I’m not the type who likes wearing makeup, but I always carry a lip product in my bag. Because I consider applying something on your lips is etiquette.
-Are colors you normally like pastel tones like this?
SOOYOUNG: No, when it comes it clothes, I like monotones more. Rather than liking them because it’s classy, but because it’s easy to match with. I’m actually still trying to grasp my own style. (At that moment, a stylist next to us chipped in that Sooyoung’s look is french chic.) Then I have a ‘French chic look’. Please make sure to write that the stylist said that. Because it would be embarrassing saying it myself. Haha.
-You’re in the midst of your arena tour, right? Japan is a bit of a special place for you. You debuted in the duo girl group ‘Route O’ in Japan first.
SOOYOUNG: That’s right. It is special. There are fans who remember me from when I debuted long ago, and there are also people who bring my old CD to receive autographs, so it’s really extraordinary.
-When you go to Japan, do you go around to places that hold memories?
SOOYOUNG: In the past, I was afraid of going out alone, and had to mind my manager, so I didn’t get to go around much. I actually go around more now. (laugh) Not too long ago, we went to a hot spring in Niigita by ourselves. I think we make a lot of memories going around on tour.
-Overseas activities also hold those meanings, too.
SOOYOUNG: Also, Girls’ Generation’s Japan activities became a turning point for me. We debuted in Japan 2~3 years ago, and that was when I was in the midst of feeling skeptical about the career of a singer. I was starting to become tired of things like living as a group, and having to go around endlessly like a wheel. But it was different once we got to Japan.
-How was it different?
SOOYOUNG: When we got off the plane, there were fans out to meet us, a car was there to pick us up, and those surroundings were really new to me. When I was 13, I used to get on the plane by myself. When I arrived in Japan, only my manger would be there waiting for me, and I would take the taxi when going around. But coming back as a Girls’ Generation member, things I couldn’t do by myself became possible with 9 members. That’s when I realized. I shouldn’t have thought, ‘Do I have have to go on with this career, being knocked over like this at a young age?’. Once I got around to thinking about it, I was thankful for Girls’ Generation existing, and I was thankful, once again, for having that turning point.
-It was a really good thing that you went to Japan.
SOOYOUNG: We are really lucky. Rather than being lucky by succeeding in something we attempt, we’re lucky when it comes to getting chances to set our heads straight. To be honest, we’re people, too; we can’t always be the same. We just try. That’s also showing good manners to people we work with. But, fortunately, we really do always get opportunities to return to basics.
-Don’t you think one of those opportunities was your acting attempt? I heard that you prepared a lot for ‘The 3rd Hospital’.
SOOYOUNG: The preparations I did were me consistently receiving acting lessons since I was younger, and also majoring in acting in school. Honestly, rather than learning how to act in school, it was greater experiencing the regular, daily life that people my age live.
-It seems you’re fulfilling life as ordinary Sooyoung to a certain degree through college life.
SOOYOUNG: Yes. I actually didn’t have many thoughts of wanting to attend college. But my mom told me that it’s not just to go study, but to learn a different, smaller society in the campus, and that she thinks it would be nice if I were to experience that, so I went. I’m really thankful to my mom right now.
-How are your classes this semester?
SOOYOUNG: I took a leave of absence not too long ago. Because I’m constantly in Japan, and I wouldn’t be learning anything, so I didn’t think there was much meaning in me completing my credit. I want to learn something and apply it, but it really felt like those classes I wouldn’t be able to listen to were being wasted.
-Isn’t that opportunity cost? You could learn something else instead.
SOOYOUNG: I’m trying to look for something to do while resting.
-But I noticed you don’t have time to rest.
SOOYOUNG: I honestly am not sure what resting exactly is. Whether it means taking 10 days off and visiting a vacation spot, or just bumming around at home all day. If you say it’s both, I’m kind of doing both right now. Haha. But is there even a job where you can go away whenever you want to? I think that would apply to, not just me, but everyone… Oh, there is this. Not stress from work, but from people’s eyes. There is stress that hits me from confinement every now and then. But it goes around after a few days. That’s all. It’s a career that I chose.
-Just listening to you talk, you don’t sound like you’re in your mid-20s. Is it because it’s been a while since you’ve debuted?
SOOYOUNG: It’s been 10 years since I’ve debuted last year. Seeing how it’s been 11 years already, I have been doing this for a while. I wonder how BoA unnie feels? It’s really incredible.
-Now that it’s been 10 years, what might be some areas or new appearances you will attempt that we can look forward to? You’re acting and MCing already.
SOOYOUNG: MCing… I get really embarrassed whenever ‘Midnight TV Entertainment’ is brought up. I can’t say that I’m good at MCing, and the area I’m most interested in is acting. I’m going to continue acting, and it’s like a job that constantly gives me homework. I really enjoyed the time filming the drama.
-Is there a character you would like to play from any recent works?
SOOYOUNG: There is a film that provoked me recently. ‘Silver Linings Playbook’. The lead female in that film, Jennifer Lawrence, is the same age as me. She received the award for best actress at the Academy Awards this year. Of course, the situation is different because I’m in Girls’ Generation and am a singer, but when looking at it with an acting career, I’m jealous. I was really jealous wondering how she could play a role like that at that age. I hope there is a day where I can show off resonating acting, too.
- trans by chosshi
posted from Bloggeroid
