Girls' Generation's Hyoyeon Recalls Early Struggles, Seohyun's Words of Encouragement

Girls' Generation (소녀시대) member Kim Hyo-yeon (김효연), known professionally as Hyoyeon, recently discussed the challenges of her early debut days. She revealed that, due to the large number of members in the group, she wasn't initially a focal point and even lost motivation because she was given so few singing parts. Now, seeing rookie idols in similar circumstances, she feels a particular connection.

Hyoyeon recently appeared on the YouTube channel of Korean YouTuber Lee Mal-nyeon (이말년), known as Chimchakman (침착맨), to share her experiences with Girls' Generation. Recalling her debut period, she admitted, "Because there were so many members, I wasn't a member who received attention from the very beginning."

Hyoyeon also noted that when she sees visually striking rookie idols today, even in large groups, agencies often prioritize resources for one specific member. This might involve promoting one member as the group's "visual center" or only having members with exceptional skills film challenge videos, consistently giving one individual more exposure opportunities.

Because of this, Hyoyeon finds herself paying special attention to the members standing on the sidelines who get fewer opportunities. She explained, "Looking at the expressions of the kids standing on the side, I feel like they're thinking, 'I can do that too.'" She added, "While they might react and cheer on from the side, what I sense in their eyes isn't sadness so much as it is a heartbreaking feeling. Because I used to be like that."

Hyoyeon confessed that precisely because she shared a similar experience, she can't help but notice these juniors more now. "So, these kinds of kids catch my eye more easily, and I can't help but ask their names again."

Reflecting on her own mindset back then, Hyoyeon candidly revealed that receiving too few parts gradually made her lose the drive to work hard. She explained, "Those with many parts develop ambition and take more vocal lessons. But those without parts, on the contrary, become less inclined to practice."

The member who truly motivated and encouraged Hyoyeon at that time was Seo Ju-hyun (서주현), known professionally as Seohyun. Hyoyeon recalled a member actively encouraging her, saying, "Seohyun would tell me, 'Unnie, go take more vocal lessons too. Don't just take dance lessons; try practicing singing as well.'" Hyoyeon clarified that Seohyun didn't say this because she thought Hyoyeon sang poorly, but because Hyoyeon was constantly dwelling on pessimistic and negative thoughts. "She told me that because she saw me always thinking in a pessimistic, negative direction."

Those words helped Hyoyeon regain some motivation. "When I heard those words, sometimes I would rethink, 'Right, if I just keep doing it, someday my parts will increase.' And then I would try to work hard again." She concluded with a thoughtful remark: "It seems that people's thoughts really do change constantly throughout life."