http://www.oniontaker.com/post/70454762105/trans-taeyeon-ceci-january-2014-part-1-of#axzz2nsy2MXlp
http://www.oniontaker.com/post/70466363237/trans-taeyeon-ceci-january-2014-part#axzz2nsy2MXlp
[TRANS - Taeyeon - Ceci January 2014]
Of all the SNSD members I wanted to meet, it was always Taeyeon. Her delicate yet strong voice would become a powerful first impression of the group, Girls Generation.
As of 2014, SNSD have been active for eight years. They opened a new chapter in Korean pop music, and rather than rest on the laurels of the generation they created, they pushed on to challenges. Now, none of them are teenage girls any more, but they are still going strong. Gathering everything possible into the domain of SNSD, they build a strong and durable castle.
Whenever there is news about a comeback, people talk about this one deciding SNSDs future. Now however, no matter how they choose to make a comeback, they could never look bad. Amongst the colourful and vivacious members in her group, Taeyeon is the one always quietly standing a step back from them. She would sing the songs that she liked, and it felt like she was spending time sharing loving glances with her fans With a face as pale as porcelain, eyes that smile like a child, but with a few secrets. What could be in her heart? I met with Taeyeon on the day that this winters first snowflakes began blowing harshly. She seemed willing then unwilling to show what was on her mind. But I didnt want to press her. It would be something precious to her that she didnt need to show to anyone. Twenty-six year-old Taeyeon is enjoying the most beautiful time of her life.
Ceci: Compared to the other members, you tend not to do individual activities. We hope fans will enjoy this Ceci cover photoshoot as a highly coveted item.
Taeyeon: Its my first time being a cover model alone, so it is surreal. We did have the members shooting individual versions of covers before, but we honestly didnt know anything about it. Now the members do individual cover photoshoots so often, and now I know how significant this is.
Ceci: You dont seem to do as many photoshoots as expected.
Taeyeon: To be honest, I used to find it difficult to have photos taken. For some reason I used to lose self-confidence and I would re-think photoshoot schedules often. But then I thought when will I have chances like these to save the image of myself in my 20s? If I dont show myself when fans and companies want to see me, when would I have the chance again?. Before, all I wanted was to sing my favourite songs. But now I think if its a project that will make many people happy, then its something I can do, and I think of it as my responsibility.
Ceci: When did you start being more accepting of projects like this?
Taeyeon: Always, my biggest reason for doing anything are my fans. No matter what the situation, the fans are the ones who make me do things. At some point I felt like I have to show myself whenever they wanted to see me. I thought of it as both me returning their love and as something I need to do. I couldnt think like this from the beginning. Its a feeling that becomes stronger and stronger through my career. Its when I see fans waiting to cheer for us in the cold weather in the early mornings.
Ceci: Whenever you release a song as an OST, as a solo project or when you feature in a song, the response is always great. Dont you think your fans will be very excited if they hear about your solo activity?
Taeyeon: Of course I want to, if I have the chance! Its just a personal wish of mine, for now. Maybe a good opportunity will come some time.
Ceci: If you were to do solo activities, how and which concept would you like?
Taeyeon: Ive wanted to perform in a small theatre for a while. Not long ago, I went to Kim Bumsoo oppas small theatre concert to do a duet, and I really liked the venue. A smaller space is much easier for the singer. To be honest, its difficult to hear the screams of the audience when youre performing in a large venue like a sports stadium, because you need the in-ear earphones to monitor the sound. In a small theatre, you can sing without a microphone and still be heard by everyone, so I want to sing while watching the fans from close. Since a small theatre has a small audience size, there would need to be many performances. I think two or three times a week would be good.
Ceci: Im always curious about this in idol groups. Normally you cant have songs that you want all the time. It must be a big challenge whenever you receive a new song.
Taeyeon: That can be true. I could describe it as trying to find the best solution to the problem set in front of me. All I can do is use my voice and empathy, and do my best. We are a group with many members, and with characters so distinct, its difficult to change things to meet one persons taste. At least at a concert, I tend to be able to sing the songs that I want to sing. The energy a singer gets from a concert is really huge!
Ceci: You always look like youre hungry for a chance to sing on stage.
Taeyeon: I like singing most of all and theres nothing else I can do as well as that. (She laughs) All I want is to show a lot of what I do well.
Ceci: You have a lot of hit songs like Gee, Genie and Hoot. Of all of them, which was like a gift from god for SNSD?
Taeyeon: The one that appealed to the public the most was Gee, the one that I felt the most change in the members is Genie. From Kissing You to Gee there was a cute girly concept, but then Genie was far more stylish and feminine, and the choreography itself felt sexy. Before this, we had bold feels to concepts but through Genie, a higher level of maturity emerged. I think it felt more like that because the choreography was a style that could highlight our figures.
Ceci: In one interview, you said I didnt know looking natural was prettier, and I used to be sensitive about even a single strand of hair. So now, do you tend not to care about how you look?
Taeyeon: Compared to before, yes. Of course, Id like to look pretty in every picture. But the fans take thousands of photos everyday, so its impossible to look beautiful in every single one. How many photos must there be of me with eyes half-closed or with an ugly expression? Wanting it badly wont make me look perfect, so now I would prefer to be more an honest and down-to-earth person.
Ceci: Recently, youve been sharing a lot of photos on SNS. Is this part of wanting to show yourself more honestly?
Taeyeon: I update instagram everyday like its an attendance register in school. (She laughs) I just want to share things that I saw and liked. Of all the members, I was the first to start an SNS account last spring.
Ceci: You were very late to start.
Taeyeon: We promised between the members lets not do it. Since so many people had gotten into trouble from saying the wrong things or doing things accidentally, we decided not to do it, to be on the safe side. After I started, the other members started joining instagram or twitter one by one.
Ceci: You all agreed not to join SNS, so was you joining it breaking an unwritten law?
Taeyeon: To be honest, I started it for the fans. I know I felt empty when we are not promoting, so I wondered what it must be like for the fans who are waiting for us. I thought it must feel like walking endlessly without a destination. We always seem to release albums later than we plan, so I felt sorry for making them wait so long. Of course I was slightly worried that they might start liking all the new girlgroups and boygroups. (She laughs) I couldnt not do SNS when I thought about the fans.
Ceci: You must have to worry more now, since the fans arent just in Korea any more.
Taeyeon: Thats one of the main reasons I joined SNS. There was a way to meet international fans, and to not to make an effort seemed like something to be sorry for. I know theres a culture difference so I wonder how happy should I look when I see them so that they can feel how I feel?. I wonder if I should approach them first and offer a handshake, or if thats being impolite. But when Im on the stage, its the same. No matter where I go, they memorise the Korean method of cheering, and they copy it exactly which makes me so happy and grateful.
Ceci: You write comments to your fans on SNS. You thanked them because you can feel the love in the photos they take?
Taeyeon: Being exposed to the cameras, while looking dazed early in the morning at an airport is something I really want to avoid. But even then, the fans try to take only pretty photos, and I can feel that effort in their photos. I thank for them for that effort. Whenever I ran away from the cameras, I feel bad after getting on the plane, so I leave them those comments.
Ceci: Taeyeon Nails seem to be famous among the fans. You even posted pictures of the nail art you did yourself, and you seem a little housebound.
Taeyeon: Thats right. I am housebound! (She laughs) I uploaded a photo after getting service from the nailshop, and the fans mistook it for my own work and so they awarded me with the confidence. After a while, I thought I had a bit of talent for it and it often turns out to be pretty. On those days, I upload it on SNS and its really fun!.
Ceci: I heard that you always had an interest in skincare and makeup.
Taeyeon: I have a lot of products and I tend to be one of the first to try out new products. If it comes down to it, I prefer cosmetics to clothes!
Ceci: Anything you particularly like these days?
Taeyeon: CC Cream. Its lighter than BB cream but is still more delicate than bare face, so I like it a lot. It makes the skin look smoother and moist.
Ceci: It feels like SNSDs tight teamwork isnt just for show. Would you know why?
Taeyeon: First, you cant discount the power of time. Jessica, Sooyoung, Hyoyeon and Yuri began lives as trainees at primary school, and even spent as much as 12 years as friends. With that in mind, its better to call us sisters, rather than colleagues. We know each other so well, so we dont do things the another doesnt like. Wait, sometimes we deliberately do things that the other doesnt like as a joke. (She laughs) Were not as feminine as you would think. When were gathered together, were just like a group of neighbourhood rascals.
Ceci: Who is the most playful?
Taeyeon: The most unexpectedly boyish one is Sunny, and Im not that feminine either. Yoona is a total kid. Were number one in being cheerful.
Ceci: So the most feminine member would have to be Seohyun?
Taeyeon: Seohyun and Jessica!
Ceci: You mentioned thaat you dont do things that each other dont like. Could you let us know one rule that you must not do this to this member?
Taeyeon: Tiffany really cannot look at fish eyes. One time, Sooyoung hid the eyes with a spoon and showed her Tada! and there was a huge commotion at the restaurant.
Ceci: What was the latest hot topic in the SNSD katalk chatroom?
Taeyeon: Its always puppy photos! Yuri, Sooyoung, Tiffany, Seohyun and I all raise puppies and whenever they have a cute expression or a peculiar pose, we take photos like crazy and upload them. Oh and someone recently asked Anyone know a place with good makgeolli?
Ceci: SNSD and Makgeolli
Taeyeon: Was it because it was raining? (She laughs)
Ceci: Do you have great expectations for the 30s coming up, or nostalgia of the 20s that are going past?
Taeyeon: I always want to experience something new. And so Im so so curious about my 30s. How I feel when Im 24, how I feel when Im 25, how I feel in Autumn and Winter
they are all different. So I always think that the times to come are more precious than the times that have passed. Going forward is the important thing.
Ceci: In 2014, you turned 26. What time is that in the life of Kim Taeyeon?
Taeyeon: Hmm
I think its an incredibly important time. Of course, 23, 24, 25 were important too but, I can definitely feel that Im not new to being in my twenties. But since I dont feel particularly low on stamina, or feel my skin has got rougher, or any kind of changes, I dont think I tend to feel myself aging. Oh wait! These days, the styling team all tend to be younger than me so they naturally call me unnie, so thats different.A while ago I called one of them little baby~ without knowing (she laughs) and I was shocked at myself!
Ceci: Eight years since you debuted. Shall we talk about how fast youve been moving forward and where exactly you see yourself?
Taeyeon: Ive been moving well, but Im not at the end yet. Whenever I look at my life, I mean. I think Im still at a stage where I am preparing myself without knowing what Im doing. As a singer, as a member of SNSD, I ave so many things to do in the future. I have no intention of slowing down. But that doesnt mean I want to speed up excessively, just to keep going at the current speed. I really like being natural. I want to go with the flow.
Ceci: Do you believe in destiny?
Taeyeon: Somewhat. I tend to accept things easily.
Ceci: Easygoing, shrewd, easily lonely, resilient are terms we are reminded of when thinking of Taeyeon. What words would you use to describe yourself?
Taeyeon: Has an unexpected side. People think that Im cute and have a bright personality, but to be honest Im not the type to just clown around. Unless its something to be joyful about, I dont really get that excited about it. I like doing my nails by myself in my room or doodling with my colouring pencils, but an unexpected side is that I really enjoy sports cars. With perfume, I prefer the neutral male perfumes than female floral tones.
Ceci: You must enjoy drives with a bit of speed.
Taeyeon: I quite enjoy driving. But I have no sense of direction. Isnt that an unexpected side too? (She laughs) So I most like when Im going down the motorway back home to Jeonju. I just have to drive forward. I visit often when I have time. I was just there recently.
Ceci: Female celebrity I want to have as a school junior, female celebrity I want to have as a girlfriend, celebrity I want to be friends with. How do are you number one in the polls so often! Could you write a poll you would like yourself to come number one in?
Taeyeon: Celebrity I want to save in my favourites on Kakao Talk. I want to be the person that people want to look for and be friends with.
Ceci: Since you were a trainee, you must have congratulated yourself and scolded yourself. Throughout this long time, has Taeyeon changed much?
Taeyeon: Of course! In terms of work, Ive become very simple. I feel the simplicity so much that I can feel it with certainty. Before, if something like the sound monitoring went wrong during a performance, I used to get very sensitive about it. I used to get angry easily about it, but now I just accept and understand it as the venue limitations. I know it sounds cliched but Ive come to feel more laidback and say to myself Ill make it better next time.
Ceci: Wouldnt that be wisdom from experience? What about your personality outside of work?
Taeyeon: I still have a lot of thoughts. But I think how I treat people has changed. I used to feel a little uncomfortable about meeting people. I found it difficult to sit opposite someone and talk about something without an end, so I once even lied about having other plans and just stayed by myself. Now I dont. I enjoy gossiping and it comes naturally.
Ceci: What does Taeyeon think is a real adult?
Taeyeon: Someone who is considerate. I think considerate has a lot of meanings in the word. Whether its knowing what to do or think in a situation, isnt that what being considerate would be? These days I feel like I should become an adult-like adult. I want to become someone who thinks deeply, knows how to act and think, and is considerate.
Ceci: Finally, something to say to Taeyeon of 2014!
Taeyeon: Think simpler. And also get more of the happy virus and gain more energy!
