Understanding Kwon Yuri,
Behind The Smile, Behind The Tears. 

Although there are thousands, and even millions of words that exist in language itself, there isn’t one perfect word to truly encapsulate the uniqueness that is Kwon Yuri. This, in itself is what sets her apart from the rest. Overflowing with an abundance of charms, Girls’ Generation’s resident KkabYul is quintessentially known to be an energetic, happy-go-lucky girl; one who finds joy in the smallest things in life.

The priceless stories of Soshi’s prodigious prankster has somewhat become a legend through time.  Whether it’s tying all her members’ shoelaces together before running away, taping rubber cockroaches, hiding fake rats, or even pulling the infamous whoopee cushion prank to the ever-so-innocent maknae. These eccentricities justify that innocent side to her, that down-to-earth nature. In many ways, Yuri is a genuinely sincere person. She’s not the type of person who hides behind a façade as such; however, what you see with her is what you get. Her playful personality depicts that captivating sense of purity that surrounds her.

Beneath this child-natured exterior, Yuri is a fighter. One who pursues her dreams with diligence and persistence. Words cannot simply bring her down. When shaken, she does not budge. She remains focused, whilst always keeping a positive mindset and outlook in life. They can criticise her; yet this motivates her to be even greater. Even stronger.Simply put, Yuri is not a girl who settles being second best to anyone. 

Juggling a rigorous schedule everyday, it’s quite easy to be overwhelmed. Tired. Or run down. Like anyone else, surely there have been times when she felt handicapped, overloaded, and even defeated. However, Kwon Yuri knows herself better than anyone else. At times of weakness, she encourages herself. She prevails to defeat her vulnerabilities. She has an enormous amount of will power and strength of mind that pushes her through every obstacle that gets in her way. She tenaciously charges towards her goals, and with her teeth clenched she proves time after time that she possesses an enormous amount of professionalism far beyond her age. Her unwavering zeal is the backbone and the foundation that shapes her to be the admirable person that she is today.

Almost impeccable in every way, Yuri herself depicted her presence in the group as a tree. Scientifically, trees absorbs carbon dioxide, and emits oxygen. Symbolically, in times of struggle, Yuri stands in the middle and being the happy virus that she is, she emits joy to her members. In this analogy, joy represents oxygen, one of the vital components of a human’s life. Thus, this signifies Yuri’s existence as the oxygen that livens and strengthens the group, both in times of happiness or sadness.

Kwon Yuri is not a girl of many tears. But those rare moments when we do see her tears, it is truly momentous; as those tears are not tears of weakness, but tears of victory.

This is the true side of Kwon Yuri. Behind the smile; behind the tears. 

- B2PMGG
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There was a time when all they had was nine.
There was a time when a stadium was dimmed when they performed.
But today, millions of people were their audience.
What people thought was impossible became possible because nine girls believed in a Girls’ Generation.
A new era has emerged and the rest will forever be history..

- B2PMGG

They thought you would never last; but today you still stand united.
They thought you were only second best; but today you are unrivaled.
They thought international success was out of your reach; but today your face is shown on billboards in several major cities around the world.
They thought nine was too big of a number; but that became your greatest strength.

You conquered every mountain, and through each obstacle, the myriad of trust and faith you have in one another brought you to an even higher peak. From nine girls who had a dream, you became an inspiration to many..

The nine of you debuted as a ‘female-counterpart’ and quickly rose to become Korea’s resident girl group. But together you soared even higher to establish yourselves as Asia’s top icon, before finally becoming the World’s Girl Group.

You said “SONEs are your greatest awards”. But for SONEs too, the nine of you are our greatest pride. #forever9 

- B2PMGG

Understanding Girls’ Generation,
Finding Strength in Unity: An analysis. 

August 5th 2007. A new era emerged, as a beautiful generation came to existence.

It’s almost too difficult now to comprehend just how far these nine girls have come over the years. Their journey did not have an idealistic start nor was it smooth sailing. In fact, their rookie days were filled with much tears, undeserved criticisms and adversities. They were all they had. People doubted them. Misunderstood them. Claimed they were a mistake. And even labelled them as a group that won’t even last for three months. However, instead of dwelling in these negativity, these girls depicted a strong front, enforcing an identity of integrity and coherence. Whole and undivided. United through thick and thin. They are their greatest strength. Their dedication and devotion to the group, and to one another, is the essence to the foundation of their teamwork. “Talent and charisma can take you to the top, but only character can keep you there.”

Girls’ Generation is a rare case. The group was established with nine members, a number almost too great in a musical group at that time. Ever since the beginning, they were a group who went against the norm. The members’ personalities were so diverse to one another. Even so, each nine personality stood out, having their own individual charms which complimented each other. However, what differentiates Girls’ Generation to other groups is that despite their differences, and the hardships they faced along the way, they cherished and valued each other. Each member’s weaknesses were concealed with another’s strength. ”That’s why we’re Girls’ Generation, we make up for each other’s weaknesses.” - Sooyoung. 

2008 was undoubtedly the hardest year for the girls, for many reasons. But just how significant was 2008 to Girls’ Generation? Vital. There were heartbreaking events, disappointments and doubts. It is somewhat bittersweet though, as these tearful events are the foundation that paved the successes of Girls’ Generation. It is in these dark moments, when the pink lights symbolically shine brightest. The girls spent much of the year in hiatus, focusing on individual activities. Many instances challenged their teamwork. Some drifted apart, others misunderstood each other. However, those times of austerity illustrated to them the vital significance of each and every member. Not once did they lose faith in one another. They held each other’s hands throughout every difficulties, tackling each obstacle with a myriad of faith and trust in one another.

This, is the SoShi Bond. 

A comeback after 9 months hiatus was crucial to the future of Girls’ Generation. Gee could have been the song that ended Girls’ Generation. Even Taeyeon was initially skeptical of the song. But no. It became a historic feat. It was their breakthrough. Gee saw the rise of their popularity, solidifying their identity as the nation’s representative girl group. The joyfully-infectious song gave hope to people, creating a syndrome to the rest of Asia and even paving the way into creating a global generation. Their historic achievements over the years proved their powerhouse caliber, evoking their unrivaled status in the music industry. Question is, was Gee the factor that started Girls’ Generation? No. The successes of Gee was a by-product of many factors. Most significantly, the SoShi Bond. 

9 months hiatus. 9 consecutive wins. 9 weeks. 9 members. 9 trophies.
It may all sound like a coincidence. But truth is, these feats proved the significance of the Power of 9. Without one member, what is 9? Each of their distinctive qualities are the backbone to Girls’ Generation as a whole. As a body cannot function without its vital organs, without one member, the dynamics of Girls’ Generation as we see today, will be different. What good is an orchestra without a maestro? Or. What good is a soccer team without a goal-keeper? Or. What good is a car without fuel? Their diversity fuels different aspects of the group. Without one member, the Girls’ Generation we know and love today, would not exist. It began with nine, and forever will continue to be nine. Nothing more. Nothing less. Just nine. As one.

Girls’ Generation is not merely a name. However, more significantly, it is a generation that brings hope. A generation that radiates joy. A generation that enforces trust. A generation that exemplifies diligence. A generation that illustrates humbleness. A generation that encapsulates everlasting friendship. And above all, a generation that marked the significance of unity.

Even after four years, always continue to leap even higher. 
Right now. From now on. Forever. It’s Girls’ Generation.

- B2PMGG 
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Note: To be continued.
Previous Analysis: Yoona, Taeyeon, Hyoyeon 

Understanding Kim Hyoyeon,
Character, Dedication and Constancy: An analysis. 

There is an inexpressible beauty that surrounds Kim Hyoyeon. It is not merely her physical beauty as such, but that sense of youthfulness of hers that infects joy and warmth to the people around her. Hyoyeon is known to have a distinctive character. At first glance, she may seem calm, collected and quite subdued. However, beneath that exterior, lays that lively spirited personality of hers that radiates a sense of comfort to her surroundings. Girls’ Generation’s resident Kim Choding is surely an explosion of charms. Hyoyeon’s legendary antics and four-dimensional actions evokes her playful yet captivating aura, that creates an affable ambiance whenever she is around. Even so, she possesses a mature side to her personality.

There are two members who are somewhat seen as the mother hens in the family we call Girls’ Generation. There is Protective-Mother Sooyoung; the member who always shelters and stand up for her members. At the same time Hyoyeon is also seen as a mother figure, due to her motherly instincts and attributes. The girls once shared that whenever they go grocery shopping and buys all sorts of junk food, Hyoyeon always takes out the unnecessary items, before paying. She packs Yoona’s lunchbox when she was still at school, she cooks for her members, and not to mention her love for cleaning and doing the housework. Because of her caring, easy-going and approachable personality, Hyoyeon is most understanding of her members, especially the two maknaes. Similar to Taeyeon, Hyoyeon is a pillar of support to her members. Whenever the girls wins an award, Hyoyeon is always the last to cry. Even though she is also overwhelmed by emotions, she displays a strong exterior, staying grounded to support her sisters; wiping their tears and embracing them with that reassurance that her shoulder is always there for them to lean on. Sooyoung and Hyoyeon’s motherly roles significantly balances Taeyeon and Tiffany who are often seen playing the father figure roles*.

On a more professional level, Hyoyeon’s charismatic stage presence is of high standard, and one that cannot be easily rivaled. As SMent’s best female dancer, as well as one of kpop’s best, Hyoyeon possesses such distinctive skills and techniques that are enviable by many. These skills however, are not one that can merely be perfected over a day; a month; or a year. It took over seven years of pure dedication, sacrifice and effort. Living two hours away from Seoul, for seven years she had to travel four hours in total in order to show up to training. This is dedication.

Above all, one of the best traits of Girls Generation is the integrity that each nine member posesses. After much adversities, Girls Generation has indeed gone beyond expectations, rewriting and creating new history with every move they make. Through the ups and downs, they learnt the significance of each of the nine members, and more importantly, how vital they are to each other and the establishment of Girls Generation. Kim Hyoyeon is an epitome of this. In times of hardships and difficulties, not once did she give up. Her perseverance is truly a testament of the constancy of her character, and something she is to be commended for.

Girls’ Generation’s concepts will gradually change over time. As time goes on, they will continue to refine themselves as artist. One thing is for sure though, Kim Choding’s legendary antics and eccentricities, will never ever cease.

- B2PMGG 

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Note: The analyses for the other 6 members are to come.
Prev Analyses: Yoona, Taeyeon
*Taeyeon & Tiffany’s father figure roles will be analysed in a future post. 

Understanding Kim Taeyeon,
The Pillar of Girls’ Generation: An analysis.

There is a stereotypical belief that most successful leaders out there are the choleric type; passionate, energetic, and ambitious. Taeng-leader in the other hand is quite the opposite; she’s introverted, timid, calm and independent. From the exterior, Taeyeon seems like a model sanguine, due to her outrageously dorky behaviour, which is the foundation of the lovable-ness that is Kim Taeyeon. In reality, Taeyeon is quite reserved, keeping much to herself.

Girls Generation’s kid-leader Kim Taeyeon, is surely an explosion of raw talent and pure ability. Her powerful vocal range exemplifies the vast amount of potential she has. However, what sets Kim Taeyeon apart from all other leaders is that she leads the other eight to be a leader in their own way. It’s quite simple to assess a leader when they are at the peak of their career, however, to evaluate a true leader means to measure when they are at their lowest point. This is where the leadership of Kim Taeyeon shines above the rest.

Some leaders are dominant in terms of power. However, it is said once that a true leader is one who serves. Max Lucado stated that “To lead the orchestra, you must turn your back from the crowd”. Let’s envision SoShi as an orchestra, with Taeyeon as the leader, or the maestro as they call it. Amidst the crowd of criticism, discouragements and critiques during their debut days, Taeyeon led the orchestra harmoniously. She turned her back on all of the heartless comments that said SNSD was a “mistake” or a “group that will fail within the first month”. Instead, she enforces that visualisation that SNSD is a group that stays strong and united through thick and thin. From arguably the most underrated girl group in Korea, Taeyeon was able to lead the group, carrying them high to become an influential figure in the music industry. Girls’ Generation not only became Korea’s representative girl group, they became one of Asia’s most powerful icons, driving a global phenomenon to establish a “Girls’ Generation” across the world.

Notice that in an orchestra, there are a range of different instruments played. There are strings, brass, wind instruments, and percussion. This symbolises the different instruments each member plays in the orchestra we call SNSD. With the guidance of Maestro-Taeng, all the different dynamics of the orchestra unite, creating one harmonious melody. Through their differences, they unify. SoShi’s perfect coordination depicts that unbreakable bond that exists between the nine sisters. Through the years of blood, sweat and tears, SoShi has indeed encapsulate the true meaning of unity. Taeyeon’s role evidently paths this success, as this unity cannot be achieved if the maestro doesn’t guide each member into the same direction. 

So, what kind of leader is Kim Taeyeon? She’s a leader that holds her tears, but cries when the curtains closes*. She’s a leader who steps back, and let her other eight members take the spotlight. She’s a leader who displays a strong exterior to her members, but is fragile herself. She is a selfless leader who cried when seeing staff eating on the floor. She’s a leader who upholds herself, to make sure no one can tarnish the name of Girls Generation; a name that her eight sisters and herself built. She’s not a forceful leader, but instead she is a shoulder to cry on. When her members fall, she’s always there to catch them; shielding them; protecting them; sheltering them; embracing them with that reassurance that she’ll always be a pillar of support.

Above all, Kim Taeyeon is a fearless leader. One who is unafraid to ironically tackle great heights and depths in order to chase her dreams. From a young girl with a vision, she became Girls’ Generation’s beloved kid-leader. When we look at her today, we can see how much she’s matured. No longer a kid, but she’s evolved into a woman whose radiance outshines all that surrounds her.

So here’s to Kim Taeyeon; a leader who sacrifices; a leader who cherishes her eight sisters above all; a leader who is always thankful to her fans; a leader who strengthens her team; a leader like no one else.

I guess it’s true. Good things, indeed come in small packages.

- B2PMGG

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Note: The analysis for the other 7 members are to come.
Previous Analysis: Yoona 
* Leader who cries when the curtains closes [Link]

Understanding Im Yoona, 
Innocence and Purity: An analysis. 

In SNSD, there are two specific members that have often been misunderstood. The first is Yoona, SNSD’s resident choding. Unlike what people perceive her to be, Yoona is a child at heart. She has this contrasting exterior image of being quite girly, sophisticated and glamourous. This is probably derived from her label of being the ideal girl of many people all across Korea, Asia, and even the rest of the world. However, beneath this calm demeanor, Yoona is quite tomboyish and what it seems like a child trapped in the image of an adult. Her extraordinary strength, alligator laughter, flounder expressions, ssanti actions, evokes that breathtaking sense of innocence and purity that surrounds Im Yoona.

See, each nine members play a strong role in what we call Girls’ Generation. Whether it is being the leader, lead vocalist, lead dancer; each are significant to the establishment and successes of the group. Im Yoona plays the center role. The visual, so she’s been described. At first glance, the center role might seem quite easy, not consisting of much effort at all. However, in reality, the center plays a vital role to the successes of a team. In a team sport, like basketball or soccer, the center player determines which team receives the ball. 

Over the years, several people ubiquitously claim that she is overrated. Questions like, “Why Yoona?” has been the subject of much undeserved controversies. As the center player, understandably she receives more exposure at first. Like Jessica said, because of Yoona, SNSD has become a group that is loved by the older generations. In today’s context, we can see that each member receives equal time in the spotlight. A noteworthy event is when SNSD attended the SPAO fanmeeting with Super Junior. Yesung and the other Suju boys placed Yoona in the middle. However, she walked away and stood next to her members. Despite that, she kept coming back to stand next to her members. This is Yoona. A girl who treasures her eight sisters above everything else. 

As a body cannot function without one of its vital organs, without one member, the dynamics of Girls’ Generation as we see today will also be different. Whatever role Taeyeon, Jessica, Sunny, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona and Seohyun play in SNSD, it is crucial to the foundation of Girls’ Generation. 

So let’s ask again. Why Yoona? Well, why not? ^^

- B2PMGG

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Note: The analysis for the other 8 members are to come.

How each member define Girls’ Generation.

Kim Taeyeon illustrates the nine’s raw talent and potential;
Jessica Jung depicts the nine’s personality and individuality;
Lee Soonkyu exemplifies the nine’s hardworking nature and adaptibility;
Tiffany Hwang enforces the nine’s strength and diligence;
Kim Hyoyeon epitomizes the nine’s optimism and character;
Kwon Yuri represents the nine’s growth and resilience;
Choi Sooyoung encapsulates the nine’s versatility and humbleness;
Im Yoona characterizes the nine’s innocence and child-like nature;
Seo Joohyun visualises the nine’s maturity and purity;

Nothing more. Nothing less. Just nine. As one. Right now. From now on. Forever. Girls’ Generation.

- B2PMGG
#ninehundredninetynine.