Girls’ Generation, also known as SNSD (소녀시대 in Korean), is more than just your average K-POP group. They are THE K- POP group! Starting with nine members, they are one of the most successful girl groups in history and almost single-handedly spearheaded the popularity of the South Korean sound in the West.
But becoming an icon (especially in a group) takes more than just talent – it demands dedication and perseverance. Many try, but few succeed, and even fewer reach the pinnacle of influence Girls’ Generation has achieved.
Signed to SM Entertainment, Girls’ Generation was created as the female counterpart to Super Junior, an incredibly successful boys’ group at the same agency. To expand into international markets, SM sought talented individuals with linguistic and cultural diversity.
Affectionately dubbed “Super Girls” by fans due to their connection to Super Junior, they embarked on an intensive training program, honing their skills through rigorous vocal and dance lessons, as well as language classes. In a time before social media really took off, their lives completely revolved around training to debut.
During their pre-debut phase, the group’s lineup was in a state of constant flux. At one point in time, there were twelve members, including Soyeon (T-ARA and T-ARA QBS) and Chanmi (5DOLLS and Coed School). Eventually, the final nine were selected and introduced to the public between July 7th and 14th, 2007.
Taeyeon (태연), the group’s most senior member, is fluent in Chinese. She joined the agency in 2004 as a trainee and commuted between Seoul and her hometown of Jeonju, North Jeolla, South Korea.
Sunny (써니) was born in Los Angeles and moved to Kuwait with her family as a child. They later returned to South Korea after the Gulf War broke out. Notably, her uncle, Lee Soo-Man, is the founder and president of SM Entertainment. She was the last to join the group.
Tiffany (티파니), born and raised in San Francisco, was discovered by an SM Entertainment representative at an audition in the states. She joined the agency as a trainee just three weeks later.
Hyoyeon (효연), who auditioned for SM Entertainment at age 11, traveled to Beijing with Siwon from Super Junior to study Chinese. She is a gifted dancer, capable of mastering choreography after a single viewing.
Yuri (유리), a skilled violinist and ballerina, joined the agency after winning second place as best dancer in SM’s 1st Annual Youth Best Contest.
Sooyoung (수영) comes from a family of architects. Her grandfather’s company built the renowned Seoul Arts Center. She joined SM Entertainment in 2000 and later became part of the duo Route 0 in 2002, before joining Girls’ Generation..
Yoona (윤아), fluent not only in her native Korean, but also Chinese, and English, with basic Japanese skills, joined the group through an open audition.
Seohyun (서현), confident in her individuality, joined the group in 2003 via the SM Casting System.
Jessica (제시카), also born in San Francisco (at the same hospital as Tiffany), joined SM Entertainment in 2000 through the casting system.
On The Zach Sang Show in 2019, group member Tiffany revealed that she came to South Korea at the age of fifteen without knowing the language or having her parents to guide her. “I was scared, trying to blend in and still have my own opinions,” she revealed. “There were times when I wanted to cry and give up, because it was so intense. But I was passionate about being an artist and having a story and making others feel better, because I felt better – through music – and I thought that was magical.”
With the line-up set, after years of tears, trials and tribulations, SM Entertainment was ready to debut the group and Girls’ Generation was about to Step Into The New World…
More Girls’ Generation soon so…
Stay Tuned.
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