Girls' Generation

Girls' Generation (Sonyeo Shidae) is a nine-member South Korean pop girl group formed by S.M. Entertainment in 2007. They are also referred to as SoShi (소시) or SNSD by their fans, both abbreviated forms of the group's Korean name.

Girls' Generation has released three Korean full albums, three Korean mini-albums, one Japanese full album and various singles. Their 2009 hit single "Gee" holds the record for being the longest running No. 1 song on KBS Music Bank, having held the No. 1 chart ranking for nine consecutive weeks. Gee was named song of the decade by the Korean music site, Melon.

The group began a foray into the Japanese music scene in late 2010 under Nayutawave Records, a part of Universal Music, with the Japanese remakes of their 2009 Korean hits "Tell Me Your Wish (Genie)" and "Gee". The group's debut Japanese album, Girls' Generation, is currently the highest selling album in Japan by a Korean group in Oricon history, being certified Triple Platinum by the RIAJ.

The leader of the group is Kim Taeyeon. The other members are Jessica Jung, Sunny, Tiffany, Kim Hyoyeon, Kwon Yuri, Choi Sooyoung, Im Yoona and Seohyun.

Career :
2007–2008: Debut and Girls' Generation

2009: Gee, Genie and rising popularity

2010: Oh!/Run Devil Run, Japanese debut and Hoot

2011: Mr. Taxi, Girls' Generation and The Boys

2012: International promotions, sub-unit formation (TaeTiSeo)

Individual Member Profil :

• Kim Taeyeon
• Jessica Jung
• Sunny
• Tiffany
• Kim Hyoyeon
• Kwon Yuri
• Choi Sooyoung
• Im Yoona
• Seohyun

Seo Joohyun

S E O H Y U N (서현)
Stage Name: The Youngest One SEOHYUN (막내 서현 – maknae Seohyun)
Birth Name: Seo Joo-hyun (서주현)
Nicknames: Maknae (the youngest one), Seororo, Hyun, Joohyun
Position: Lead Vocalist
Bloodtype: A
Date of Birth: June 28, 1991
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Sibling(s): none
Language: Korean (Fluent), English, Chinese (Fluent), Japanese (Basic)
Specialty: Piano
Casted: 2003 SM Casting System
Training Duration: 6 Years 6 Month
School: Dongguk University (동국대학교) Department of Theater | graduated from Jeonju Art High School (attended Daeyeong High School)
Career:
- 2005 ‘Smart Student Uniforms’ ad models (with DBSK)
- 2009 Featured with Joo Hyunmi ‘Jjalajjaja (짜라자짜)‘
- 2009 CF ‘Post Cereal‘ (with Sunny, Sooyoung)
- 2010 CF ‘Clean and Clear’ (with f(x) Krystal)
- 2010 Variety show MBC ‘We Got Married‘ (with CN Blue Jung Yong-hwa)
- 2010 OST for MBC drama Kim SooRo ‘It’s Okay Even If It Hurts’
- 2010 Voice Actor for ‘Despicable Me‘ Korean title: ‘Superbad’ (as Edith)
- 2010 MV TRAX – ‘Oh! My Goddess‘

Motto : "The winner who Finishes Is A Person Who Is Good Hearted" 

TRIVIA

• The youngest member of SNSD. Being the only child in her family, she feels thankful to gained eight older sisters through SNSD.
• She is known for her upright personality.
• Seohyun loves sweet potato so much that she claimed she’d pick sweet potatoes over male. In the make-believe marriage variety show ‘We Got Married’, she was coupled with CN Blue’s Jung Yonghwa and they were given the nickname “Sweet Potato Couple”.
• Her favorite anime is Keroro Gunsou.
• Seohyun’s favorite male celebrity is Johnny Depp.
• She also loves manga / dorama Nodame Cantabile.
• Her idol is UN’s General Secretary Ban Ki-moon.
• Seohyun hates unhealthy foods.
• Seohyun went to the same high-school with Yoona (Daeyeong High School) but then she transferred to Taeyeon’s alma mater, Jeonju Arts High School, and graduated there. Now she’s attending Dongguk University’s Department of Art along with Yoona.
• Seohyun plays piano since she was very young, she started to learn guitar during her participation in ‘We Got Married’.

Im Yoona

 

Y O O N A (윤아)

Stage Name: Charming Girl YOONA (매력 소녀 윤아 – maeryeok sonyuh Yoona)
Birth Name: Im Yoon-a (임윤아)

Nicknames: Yoong, Saseumi (deer), Him Yoona (strong Yoona), Im-choding (elementary school-kid Im), Saebyuk, Alligator Yoong

Position: Supporting Vocalist/Lead Dancer
Date of Birth: May 30, 1990
Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Bloodtype: B

Sibling(s): one older sister
Language: Korean (Fluent), English, Chinese (Basic), Japanese (Basic)

Specialty: Dance, Acting

Casted: 2002 SM Saturday Open Casting Audition

Training: 7 Years 2 Months

School: Dongguk University (동국대학교) Department of Theater | graduated from Daeyeong High School

Career:
- 2004 Elite Student uniforms advertising model
- 2004 MV DBSK – ‘Magic Castle‘
- 2006 CF Teun Teun English
- 2006 CF Sanyo batteries Eneloop
- 2006 CF Elite Student uniforms (with SS501)
- 2006 MV Super Junior - ‘U‘
- 2006 MV CSJH The Grace – ‘My Everything‘ (with Super Junior Kibum)
- 2007 CF Yejimin Pad
- 2007 CF Clean & Clear
- 2007 CF Sunkist Grapefruit/Lemonade (with Super Junior Kangin & Heechul)

- 2007 Drama MBC ‘9 Ends 2 Outs‘ (as Shin Joo-young)
- 2007 MV Super Junior - ‘Marry U‘
- 2008 MV Lee Seung Chul - ‘Propose‘
- 2008 Drama MBC ‘Park Jung Geum‘ (as Mi-ae)
- 2008 Daily drama KBS ‘You Are My Destiny‘ (as Jang Sae-byuk)
- 2009 MV 24/7 – ‘That Man’s Woman‘
- 2009 CF ‘Clean & Clear’ (with Kim So-eun)
- 2009 Drama MBC ‘Cinderella Man‘ (as Seo Yoo-jin)
- 2009 CF ‘Innisfree‘
- 2010 Variety Show SBS ‘Family Outing season 2′
- 2010 CF ‘S-Oil‘
- 2011 MV SHINee – ‘Replay (Japanese ver.)’

Motto: "Live Without Regret"

TRIVIA

• Widely known as the “center” image of SNSD thanks to her immense popularity among Korean public. Age-wise, she’s also placed in the “center” of SNSD; Seohyun (born in 1991) is a year younger than Yoona (born in 1990) and the other 7 members are one year older and considered as same-age friends (born in 1989 and Sooyoung in early 199o).
• The physically strongest member of SNSD, gained her a nickname Him Yoona (strong Yoona).
• Despite her sweet girlish image, Yoona is actually boyish. One of her well-known nickname is Im-choding (elementary-school boy Im).
• Being the the second youngest of SNSD doesn’t stop her to be one of their biggest prankster.
• SNSD’s second biggest eater after Sooyoung.
• Her claim-to-fame was the hit daily drama ‘You’re My Destiny’ which ratings peaked at 41% viewership.  The drama was also her first time as a lead in drama.
• The said drama also gained her popularity among ahjumma (middle-aged women) in Korea.
• Yoona is a fan of Takuya Kimura.
• Yoona claimed that she has more confidence in dancing and acting rather than singing.
• Yoona likes to play bowling in her spare time.
• Nicknamed as ‘Alligator Yoong’ because she laughs with her mouth wide open, resembling an alligator.
• Often picked as the ideal girl by numerous Korean male and female celebrities.

Choi Sooyoung

 

S O O Y O U N G (수영)

Stage Name: Lively Princess SOOYOUNG (명랑공주 수영 – myeongrang gongju Sooyoung)
Birth Name: Choi Soo-young (최수영)

English Name: Summer Choi (썸머 최)

Nicknames: Shik shin (God of food), NaSoo (interrupter), DJ Syoung

Position: Supporting Vocalist/Lead dancer
Date of Birth: February 10, 1990
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Bloodtype: O

Sibling(s): 1 older sister (Choi Soo-jin)
Language: Korean (Fluent), English, Chinese (Basic), Japanese (Fluent)

Specialty: Dance, Eloquence, Acting

Casted: 2000 SM Open Audition | 2002 Korea-Japan Ultra Idol Duo Audition

Training Duration: 6 Years 3 Months

School: ChungAng University (중앙대학교) Department of Theater | graduated from Jeongshin Girl’s High school

Career:
- 2002 Japanese duo ‘Route φ‘ (with Marina Takahashi)
- 2003 CF Samsung Anycall Battle of Music (with Jewerly Park Jung-ah)
- 2004 School uniforms ‘Rocks’ model
- 2005 VJ for M.Net ‘Hello Chat’
- 2005 OST for Inuyasha ‘I Am‘ (Korean ver.)
- 2007 DJ for Melon ‘ChunJi Radio: Sungmin & Sooyoung’ (with Super Junior Sungmin)
- 2007 Sitcom KBS ‘Unstoppable Marriage‘ (as Choi Soo-young)
- 2008 OST for SBS drama Working Mom ‘Ggok‘ (with Yuri)
- 2008 Movie ‘Hello Schoolgirl! / 순정만화‘ (as Jung Da-jung)
- 2009 CF ‘Post Cereal‘ (with Sunny & Seohyun)
- 2009 Featured with The Blue ‘Feeling Only You‘ (with Tiffany)
- 2009 MC for MBC ‘Fantastic Duo’ (with Kim Jae-dong)
- 2009 CF ‘Post Cereal‘ (with Taeyeon & Tiffany)
- 2010 CF ‘Biotherm’ (with Tiffany & Yuri)

Motto: "What Would Jesus Do? WWJD"

TRIVIA

• The tallest member of SNSD.
• Prior to SNSD, Sooyoung was a part of J-pop duo ‘Route φ’ along with Marina Takahashi. The duo released three singles.
• Sooyoung is fluent in Japanese.
• She’s the third youngest of SNSD. However, despite being a ’90ers along with Yoona, Sooyoung is considered as a part of the 89 line because she was in the same grade with the six ’89ers.
• The biggest eater of SNSD, hence the nickname “Shikshin” (God of Food). However, she also doesn’t gain weight easily.
• “Sooyoung” literally means “swimming” in Korean.
• Her English name, Summer, was given by fellow member Jessica.
• Sooyoung is a devout Christian.
• Sooyoung has a great interest in fashion. She’s also considered as the most fashionable SNSD member.
• Her older sister, Choi Soojin, is a musical actress.
• Despite her tough image, Sooyoung is said to be the one who cries most easily.

Kwon Yuri

 

Y U R I (유리)

Stage Name: Black Pearl YURI (흑진주 유리 – heukjinjoo Yuri)
Birth Name: Kwon Yu-ri (권유리)

Nicknames: Yul, Kkab-Yul (hyper/playful Yul), Kwon Seobang (Husband Kwon), Kwon Banjang (Class-President Kwon), BK Yuri

Position: Supporting Vocalist/2nd Main Dancer
Date of Birth: December 5, 1989
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Bloodtype: AB

Sibling(s): 1 older brother (Kwon Hyuk-jun)
Language: Korean (Fluent), English, Chinese (Fluent), Japanese

Specialty: Dance, Acting, Swimming

Casted: 2001 SM 1st Annual Youth Best Contest (Best Dancer, 2nd Place)

Training Duration: 5 Years 11 Months

School: ChungAng University (중앙대학교) Department of Theater | graduated from Neunggok High School

Career:
- 2005 KM Super Junior Show ‘The King’s Boyfriend’
- 2006 CF Dongil Highvill Lake City
- 2006 MV DBSK - ‘Beautiful Life‘
- 2006 CF China Chocopie CF (with Jang Dong-gun)
- 2006 CF East-West food Hat Choco mitte
- 2007 Movie ‘Attack on the Pin-Up Boys‘ (as Ballet Girl)
- 2007 Sitcom KBS ‘Unstoppable Marriage’ (as Kwon Yu-ri)
- 2008 OST for SBS drama Working Mom ‘Ggok‘ (with Sooyoung)
- 2008 Variety Show KBS2 ‘Kko Kko Tour’ season 2
- 2009 MV K.Will – ‘Tears are Dropping (눈물이 뚝뚝)‘
- 2009 MV Joo Hyunmi & Seohyun - ‘Jjalajajja (짜라자짜)‘
- 2009 MC for MBC Music Core (with Tiffany)
- 2009 Variety show KBS2 ‘Invincible Youth’ (as part of Girl7)
- 2010 CF ‘Biotherm’ (with Daniel Henney; Tiffany & Sooyoung)

Motto: " A genius can't win over who puts in effort, and one who puts in effort can't win over who enjoys herself"

TRIVIA

• SNSD’s biggest prankster.
• Her image is that of sexiness, but she’s also known for her “kkab” (crazy / hyper, playful acts).
• Yuri often talks to herself in a self-hypnosis way.
• Among her nicknames are “Black Pearl” and “Cola”, both referring to her unique personality and her tanned skin.
• She wrote the lyrics to one of SNSD’s ballads, titled “Mistake”. The song was included in SNSD’s third mini-album.
• Yuri is a health nut. Every morning, Yuri drinks grinded Ma juice mixed with milk, honey, and apples. She also regularly drinks Chinese herbal tonic.
• She does yoga. On the variety show ‘Invicible Youth’, there was a segment of “Yuri’s Yoga Classroom”.
• “Yuri” literally means “glass” in Korean.
• Yuri collects Mickey Mouse items. She also likes anime/manga Crayon Shinchan.
• She gained the nickname “BK Yuri” after she threw an impressive underhand opening pitch at a baseball game back in 2007. The nickname is taken from  Byunghyun Kim, a former major league player known for his underhand pitch.
• Yuri’s favorite Japanese food is takoyaki.
• Yuri’s ideal man is Song Seung-hoon.
• She attends ChungAng University’s Department of Theater along with BIGBANG’s Seungri. Fellow member Sooyoung is her senior in the same department.

Kim Hyoyeon

H Y O Y E O N (효연)
Stage Name: Dancing Queen HYOYEON (댄싱퀸 효연 – dancing queen Hyoyeon)
Birth Name: Kim Hyo-yeon (김효연)
Nicknames: Hyoraengi (pun: tiger), Kim-choding (elementary school-kid Kim), Kim Yeolsal (10-year-old Kim), Fiona
Position: Supporting Vocalist/Main Dancer
Date of Birth: September 22, 1989
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Bloodtype: AB
Sibling(s): 1 younger brother (Kim Min-goo)
Language: Korean (Fluent), English , Chinese (Fluent), Japanese (Basic)
Specialty: Dance
Casted: 2000 SM Casting System
Training Duration: 6 Years 1 Month
School: China Beijing Language Courses (중국북경어학연수)
Career:
- 2004 Hip hop dance crew ‘Little Winners‘ (with Miss A Lee Min-young)
- 2005 MKMF BoA’s ‘Over the Top’ silhouette dancer
- 2010 Recurring guest on KBS2 ‘Dream Team’

Motto: "The Place where i am standing will become a flower in an unchanging land, and i will be a person as clean as the stream water, and be dilligent, sincere, and honest"

TRIVIA

• The best dancer and the fastest runner of SNSD.
• Hyoyeon is ambidextrous, she actively use both of her left hand and right hand.
• The other eight members think revealed that she’s SNSD’s mood maker and also the funniest member.
• One of her most well-known nickname is “Kim Yeolsal” (ten-year old Kim) or because her jokes are similar to that of ten-year old and she also has a lot of mood swings.
• Hyoyeon collects cute, colorful stationery and stickers.
• She hits people and tell secrets when drunks. The members revealed that the maknaes, Yoona and Seohyun, are her usual drunk “victims”.
• SNSD’s “fashion terrorist”.
• Prior to her debut, Hyoyeon traveled to Beijing, China in 2004 with Super Junior’s Siwon to learn Mandarin and more about Chinese culture.
• In 1999, she enrolled in Winners Dance School, a famous dance school in South Korea specializing in popping, locking, animation and various other hip-hop styles.
• At Winners Dance School, Hyoyeon teamed with MissA’s Min and formed a dancing duo called Little Winners.
• Besides Hip -hop dance, Hyoyeon also learned Jazz and Latin dance.
• She received dance instruction from the Electric Boogaloos and top choreographers such as Kim Hye Rang, Poppin Seen, Kwang Hoo (aka Crazy Monkey), Poppin DS, Kwon Seok-Jin (aka Locking Khan) and ex-Black Beat’s / Beat Burger’s Shim Jae Won.
• Hyoyeon’s Chinese name is 孝渊 (Xiàoyuān)

Tiffany Hwang

T I F F A N Y (티파니)
Stage Name: Brighter than Jewels TIFFANY (보석보다 빛나는 티파니 – boseok boda bitnaneun Tiffany)
Birth Name: Stephanie Hwang (스테파니 황)
Korean Name: Hwang Mi-young (황미영)
Nicknames: Fany, DdilFany (clumsy Fany), AjumNy, Mushroom, T-Manager / Manager Hwang, Myong, Jackson Hwang
Position: Lead Vocalist
Date of Birth: August 1, 1989
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Blood type: O
Sibling(s): 1 older sister (Michelle Hwang), 1 older brother (Leo Hwang)
Language: Korean, English (Fluent), Chinese (Basic), Japanese (Basic), Spanish (Basic)
Specialty: Flute, English
Casted: 2004 SM Casting System; 2004 CJ/KMTV (USA-LA) Contest 1st Place
Training Duration: 3 Years 7 Months
School: Korea Kent Foreign School (K.K.F.S.)  [graduated]
Career:
- 2007 VJ for KMTV  ‘Sonyun Sonyuh Gayo Baekso’ (with Kim Hyesung)
- 2008 Model for ‘A-Solution’ cosmetic
- 2008 Variety Show KBS2 ‘Kko Kko Tour’ season 1
- 2009 OST for MBC drama Jang Myung Go ‘By Myself  (나 혼자서)‘
- 2009 Featured with K.Will ‘A Girl Meets Love‘
- 2009 Featured with The Blue ‘Feeling Only You‘ (with Sooyoung)
- 2009 MC for MBC Music Core (with Yuri)
- 2009 Model for ‘A-Solution’ cosmetic (with Taeyeon)
- 2009 CF ‘Post Cereal‘ (with Taeyeon & Sooyoung)
- 2010 CF ‘Biotherm’ (with Sooyoung & Yuri)
- 2010 OST for short movie Haru: Unforgettable Day in Korea ‘Banji (Ring)’

Motto: "Today is My Day"

TRIVIA

• One of Tiffany’s biggest charms is her eye-smile.
• Tiffany was born in San Francisco, California and grew up in Diamond Bar, LA, California.
• After casted in Los Angeles, Tiffany came to Korea in 2004 all by herself.
• Although Tiffany graduated from Korea Kent Foreign School on April 2007, she had attended primary and secondary schools in California – South Pointe Middle School (US) and Diamond Bar High School (US).
• Tiffany’s favorite color is Pink.
• She shares the same birthday with her one-year-older brother, Leo Hwang.
• Tiffany has a puppy named Romeo.
• Tiffany is a devout Christian.
• During her trainee days she roomed with Taeyeon and Zhang Liyin.
• To avoid confusion with CSJH’s Stephanie, she picked the stage name Tiffany. She revealed that Tiffany was the name her mother wanted to give her, but her father named her Stephanie instead.
• Her “idol title”, Brighter than Jewels (boseok boda bitnaneun), is the meaning of her Korean name, Mi-young.
• During Tiffany’s debut days, she wasn’t as fluent in Korean and often makes pronunciation mistake. She mispronounced her introduction of “boseok” (보석, Jewel) to “beoseot” (버섯, mushroom) so the fans thought she was saying “Brighter than Mushroom”. She gained the nickname “Mushroom” ever since.
• One of her nickname is Ti-manager or Manager Hwang because she often take the role of manager to her fellow members due to her caring nature.

Jessica Jung

J E S S I C A (제시카)
Stage Name: Ice Princess JESSICA (얼음공주 제시카 – eoleum gongju Jessica)
Birth Name: Jessica Jung (제시카 정)
Korean Name: Jung Soo-yeon (정수연)
Nicknames: Sica, Jessi, Jess, Sergeant Sic, General Sic, Sicachu, Sickal (knive), Sica-sama
Position: Main Vocalist
Date of Birth: April 18, 1989
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Bloodtype: B
Sibling(s): 1 younger sister (Krystal Jung)
Language: Korean (Fluent), English (Fluent), Chinese (Basic), Japanese
Specialty: Dance
Casted: 2000 SM Casting System
Training Duration: 7 Years 6 Months
School: Korea Kent Foreign School (K.K.F.S.) [graduated]
Career:
- 2007 MV Kim Jo Han – ‘Love is so late, I’m sorry‘
- 2007 Featured with 8eight ‘I Love You‘
- 2009 Featured with Park Myung Soo ‘Naengmyun‘
- 2009 MV Super Junior M – ‘Super Girl‘
- 2009 Musical ‘Legally Blonde – The Musical‘ (as Elle Woods)
- 2010 CF Song for SPC Corp. (Dunkin Donuts, Paris Baguette, Baskin Robbins) ‘Sweet Delight‘
- 2011 OST for KBS drama Romance Town ‘Because Tears are Overflowing‘

Motto: "Follow My Heart"

TRIVIA

• Nicknamed as Ice Princess, Sergeant Sic, and Sica-sama because of the cold, predominant vibe she has.
• Jessica is often considered as a real-life tsundere; A tsundere is a Japanese manga/anime character development process that describes a person who is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing their warm side over time.
• Jessica was born in San Francisco, California. After street-casted by SM Entertainment when she was 11 year-old, she and her family moved to South Korea.
• Jessica trained for more than seven years before debuting with SNSD, making her the one who trained longest among the nine members.
• Her younger sister, Krystal Jung, is a member of label-mate idol group, f(x).
• Jessica is allergic to cucumber.
• Jessica is SNSD’s resident sleepy-head. She can sleep up to 16 hour a day and is the hardest member to wake up.
• Jessica once revealed that her hobbies are soccer and boxing. She also loves reading books and magazines.
• She made her musical debut as Elle Woods in the musical adaptation of Legally Blonde.
• A “Sica Effect” (Sica Hyogwa) is when the atmosphere went down or turned cold once Jessica said something.
• Jessica is close to FinKL’s Ock Juhyun and actress Park Minyoung of drama Sungkyunkwan Scandals fame.