The SNSD General Discussion Thread

[kuno_thunder]

Wow, Tiffany is so friggin' strong.  I can't wait.

[Loser87]

wow, i use to be all eyes on Tae Yeon unni but keep hearing about these thing revolving around Tiffany really makes me respect her so much for being so strong to even talk about a personal matter like that :T

I can't wait to see this show too!

[zoolander]

I think this is too good not to share. The director of the show gave a nice account of the show.  

*SOME SPOILERS*

This is kind of like a fan account... but not really. hahaha.
The PD of Kim Jungeun's Chocolate wrote a blog/entry on how he felt after he met the girls. It's really touching, but it's definitely a spoiler...
Just warning you... wink.gif



After filming SNSD… 090731.010436

It first started like this.
We wanted to change up their stage to make it really seem like a special performance. SNSD’s songs, from “Gee” to “Tell Me Your Wish” don’t get tiring no matter how many times you listen to them, but we wanted show a new image of them that you can’t see all the time in ranking programs. SM had already announced their goals and the kids(girls) that were already tired from a murderous schedule were facing a tough practice in the time that they barely had. Gee was re-arranged into a jazz version with a piano accompaniment that turned into a strong rock song. There was also a 6 minute large scale and exciting non-stop dance battle prepared to show a power that only SNSD possesses. There was an emphasis on the less recognized members, like the maknae Seohyun’s piano solo or the super talented Hyoyeon’s powerful solo stage, as well as all the other members, of course. Thankful of the hard work these idols put in, we took a lot more time and trouble than normal to plan the filming and design the stage so that not one of the girls’ actions or expression is missed. Just like that, we prepared until we were all happy with the music.

However, even after that, we still felt we were lacking something. The girls’ attractiveness is not just their singing, but also how they are in their everyday life. We didn’t want to play it safe and just fill in time with a variety-talk-show-like interview asking them normal questions like what their ideal man is, or what cool imitations they can do. That is not the Chocolate that I think of. These girls have already turned into a girl army of the nation’s favorite dongsengs, so everybody would have already seen their special hidden talents or heard some of their general stories. I wanted to create a meaningful time that is fresh for the viewers and possibly helpful for the girls. Having this in mind, I was even more nervous meeting them in the band practice room. Even if they are SNSD, they are like any other 20 year old girl [in Korean age], laughing freely, chattering endlessly, and joking around mischievously with each other. And in the short hour they had left, you could clearly see each of their individual personalities, but even more, you could also see how close they really are and how much they care for each other. It strongly rang through my mind that this was what I wanted to show the audience.

As “Tell Me Your Wish” became more popular, SNSD became even more busy. Just like the title of the song, SNSD had to grant people’s wishes and they were aired on programs everywhere. They sang, danced, and laughed a whole lot on many different variety and talk shows. Although they must be thankful for being so popular, the girls always have to be apart from their families when they are still at an age where they should be at home, playing the role of a teenager. That is why I didn’t want to ask these girls to fulfill anybody’s wishes again. I wanted to do the opposite and hear some honest wishes they might have in their hearts, no matter how small or insignificant the wish.

The show that started last year called “Change” had popped up into my mind. The people on the show who wore disguises always wanted to meet their families. It’s in human nature for families to fight most with each other and upset each other, even if they have lived together the longest. Even if the person in always sees their family, they never fail to shed a tear when meeting their family with a disguise on. This includes Hyori, (Son) Hoyoung, Tablo, and Ok Dongja. It was a very meaningful show to me as I have been very negative toward the topic of “family.”

I kept it a secret from the girls, but through their manager, I contacted the maknae Seohyun’s mother. She said that it had been over a month since she last saw her daughter who lives in a dormitory with the members. She felt very sorry that she couldn’t be there for her daughter’s birthday last month. She gladly agreed to go on air saying, “anything for my only daughter.” There were many meetings, even until the night before filming, on how to resolve the show which had almost become like a hidden camera type show.

The filming began, and disguised as a regular person in the audience, Seohyun’s mother asked the members, as a wish, to show her aegyo-less daughter how to appear cute and charming. Her mother also asked the girls to read a letter for her that she wrote to her daughter. The girls, who were laughing and thinking that they were only being asked to fulfill a wish, slowly started to talk. When MC Kim Jungeun asked the maknae Seohyun to give the mother a hug instead of her daughter, the girls’ eyes were already red. The mother hugged Seohyun, took off her mask, and wished her daughter a happy belated birthday, giving her a baby diary of Seohyun which she intended to give to her on her wedding day. These girls were pouring tears like crazy, and even the MC turned around to wipe her eyes. The place momentarily became a quiet sea of tears. When Jessica, Yuri, Hyoyeon, Sooyoung, Sunny, Taeyeon, Yoona, and Tiffany were asked to say something to their mothers, the brave and leader-like Taeyeon stood up and began to talk. She said, “The word “mother” is a taboo to SNSD!”

Just then, Tiffany, who cried first and the most, suddenly raised her hand. She said, “I want to say something,”

There was a request that SNSD’s manager had made on behalf of the girls. He asked to please be careful of the subject of families as it was a hard topic for some of the girls. As a director who understood the gist of it, I was especially careful not to persist on the topic of mothers in case some of the girls got hurt.
Tiffany smiled and said, “This is the first time I’m saying this, but…” and she continued to say a short and wonderful greeting. When she was done, she mustered up the courage and said:
“But I thank you so much for giving me these very special siblings to me instead…”
And then she hugged her friends one by one. The girls hugged, consoling and encouraging each other and wiping each others’ tears. Seohyun’s mother also hugged all the members, saying that it was because of the eight unnies that her daughter learned to soften up. It was hard for me to not sniff my nose while the tears began to fall from my own eyes, even as I was behind watching from behind the cameras. I am beginning to tear up again right now as I am honestly writing this. A sunbae, who was watching me from the side, said something to me… “Aigoo, the PD even has a soft heart…”

When the talk was finished and filming was briefly put on hold, we quickly made an announcement. There were many reporters and people in the audience, and had to explain that Tiffany’s story is extremely personal and may even be cut out from the show, and asked them not to make any articles on it. Worrying for the girls, I then ran to their waiting room. I just wanted to give them a little surprise, but now I felt so bad. With a worried expression, I found Tiffany in the waiting room and called, “FANY!” Then, surprisingly, Tiffany came running toward me and in one moment, gave me a big hug. She then held my hand, looking at me with eyes that still had tears in them, and said, “Director, thank you so much~!” The child told me, who was feeling so sorry, that she was very happy and thankful for such a nice present, and asked to air the part for sure. Because of this child, I felt so thankful, so happy, and so apologetic, and my heart broke. Fany… and kids… thank you, and sorry..

To be honest, I don’t really know the SNSD girls. I’ve never met the girls before filming Chocolate even for work. I just enjoyed watching their cute and adorable images like other Ahjussi fans. But after this filming, the girls have become special to me. Not as a fan or a man, but as somebody who is like their older brother, I really hope they don’t become hurt emotionally. I’m pretty sure this feeling only goes for me, but it seems like I have become a part of their family. It is a given that an idol group will always be followed with gossip and malicious talk, but SNSD also has rumors saying that they’re a loner, they don’t like each other, and they say bad things. But from my experience, I can say for sure that those kinds of words are garbage that aren’t even worth considering. The members of SNSD are like real unnies, dongsengs, and loving mothers to each other. The group SNSD is but a family only under the name of SNSD. Through this filming, I have come to know a family with a sincere bond.

It first started like that, wanting to fulfill SNSD’s wishes.
However, instead, I have received a great gift from SNSD in the end.



**************************************

Original Post: http://www.ezonepd.com/bbs/zboard.php?id=0...=asc&no=215
Translations: mishybear@soshified.com

Dang . . .

[StreakInTheSky]

Thanks. That was a nice read, but nothing really new to most fans I think. But I hope things like this will soften the hate and will get them even more supporters.

Can't wait to see the full show subbed.

[Sev]

Yeah. This is def something to look forward to.

[tamatron]

The girls will perform DEUX's In Summer on Music Core tomorrow, and Jessica will also do a duet with Onew.

And Ingigayo on Sunday, they will sing 3!4! with Roo'Ra.

[iacus]

So the dance battle is gonna be 6 minutes long?  Awesome.

[zoolander]

Some Kara-Generation from Kara's new album.

Nicole
"... completely precious Hyoyeon unnie & completely adorable Sunny unnie, thank you for taking good care of me. Tall and innocent Seohyun! Real good friend key Kibum! Let's hwaiting together!."

Gyuri
"88 line Younha, Yoobin, Taeyeon, Hyoyeonee, Tiffany...everyone thank you and I love you"


credit: silis7noy





SketchBook
090801 SNSD 'Tell Me Your Wish(Genie)' (SketchBook)[Girls' Generation]
Interview - 090801 SNSD Interview (SketchBook)[Girls' Generation]
Gee - 090801 SNSD 'Gee' (SketchBook)[Girls' Generation]   <------ Check out the 2:06 Shirt adjustment.
Etude - 090801 SNSD 'Etude' (SketchBook)[Girls' Generation]

[cool_kickin_dude]

finally heard Girls Generation MV and ITNW for the first time..I LOVE the remix! maybe I should ask for it here or on the other request thread..is there one that is just audio or so?

[thatonezombie]

^ Hit up the SNSD Multimedia section, its all there

http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=13752.0

[adventwriter]

I love the remix of INTW - saw it for the first time on - i think Star something....dunno much about K-pop shows - a while back. Didn't know there was a recording of the remix (studio version) until tonight....now I've got to work to earn it.

[tamatron]

With the DBSK vs. SM deal, there's a rumour out about the girls' contracts too!


Yoona - 15 years.

Sooyoung - 5 years.

Yuri & Jessica - 9 years.

Taeyeon - 10 years.

Hyoyeon, Seohyun, Tiffany - Free agent, contract expires at the group's dissolution.

Sunny - LIFETIME!!! Nah, actually, I don't understand hers. It says free agent something. 자유계약, 계약 만료기한 본인의사 고려.


Looking at this, it probably means that SM didn't think that the group will survive pass 5 years, probably 3-4 on my view. Well, there's only 1 year left till their 3rd anniversary, so I think unless something goes really wrong, they'll certainly survive pass that.

And if this is true, slaveriness: Yoona >>>>>>>>>>> DBSK.

We'll have to wait 7 more years to get married, Yuriya? ;_;

[AmberSan]

^
are those the number of years they signed on when the group debuted? or from now on ?
Anywho.. OMG Yoona  .. i guess it's because she was already known and showed talent in acting and modeling before debut . Gahh i hope things change in the years to come .. 'cause ratio 0f 9:1 or 8:2 between the artists and the agency(as rumoured) is pretty bad, along with the great wage gap between men and women  in Korea(about 38%) .. 

[thatonezombie]

Hyoyeon, Seohyun, Tiffany looks like its a high risk high reward type deal. If the group for a long time, they have to do it. But if the group dis solutes quicker, they have the ability to do anything. Interesting. The sports fan in me is curious about the type of clauses they have. Like if they have an opt out clause in the final year of their contract or like if they get a continuous rise in their salary and/or more royalties off the music.

Damn, I am really interested now.   

[tamatron]

Maybe you can go read more news on this at allkpop or something. All these legal terms are giving me headache.

Supposedly, these were signed when or before they were debuted. And, AmberSan, isn't 8:2 pretty normal? That's what I heard anyway.

For some reason, I'm not all that worried about the girls.

[AmberSan]

^
hmm i dunno but after reading this .. i'm more worried : http://community.livejournal.com/omonatheydidnt/1216561.html 

[tamatron]

I've already raed that. The only thing that surprised me was that 500k album sales thing, the rest not so much. I wonder though how they got these kids to sign 10+ years contracts or even why the company wanted such long contracts in the first place since 10+ years surpass most idol career-lifespans.

The girls' families are pretty rich, so I guess once this thing don't work out, they can just go back to wahtever their families are doing. They aren't as famous as DBSK, so I don't think the company would put as much pressure on them? But if DBSK leave, I wonder what will happen to them. They'd become the top group for SM and that'd when pressure came.

[StreakInTheSky]

I've always been worried about the girls and I've never liked the way SM Ent. treats its artists. If it's true about DBSK's earnings, that's complete BS. Makes me wonder if they get any money from endorsements and stuff, or if the company gets most of that too.

If the contracts for the girls are true and are anything like DBSK's, that must suck. It might explain why Yoona and Tae are depressed. They're being overworked now, they might be thinking it could be like that for several more years.

Right now, the group itself has a normal pop artist schedule it seems, but as their popularity rises, it can't be getting any better for them.

[Sev]

I don't think the problem lies in their specific contracts, but the way they (in this case DBSK) get treated. A shitty contract is a shitty contract, but if you have the support from you company behind you even a shitty contract can seem perfectly fine. In this case they seem bound to what seems to be a shitty contract, and caught at an employer that does not give them respect, concern and the humility required in their profession.

Most of us have been employees a long time, we know the importance of employer/employee relationship at a personal level. I am certain it is even more important for them (dbsk) and So Nyuh Shi Dae, in their profession, working even closer to people, spending time from home, long hours etc. As for the girls potentially being in a similar situation (as dbsk), dealing with similar issues is worrying. Not the contracts themselves, but the fact that when they are overworked, when they're struggling, they don't get the proper support from their employer. This of course, is impossible to know for sure.

Employer / employee relationships are one of the most fundamental parts at any job. And having someone on the other side that truly listening to you, taking your opinions, thoughts and personal feelings into account is extremely important. The absolutely toughest thing is when you need some sort of feedback of any sort from up there, and you get nothing back. Long hours, little sleep can be handled, but when you are in a "we/me against them" situation instead of a "we/me and them" situation, things will get a shit load more difficult, because you don't only have to deal with the hardships of your job, but a personal emotional stress too.

I really do hope SM listens and feel concern for SNSD in a proper way as employers. Like with many other things, very little is needed to make a tough situation easier, just as it's as easy to make a tough situation worse. I just want the girls to be happy and emotionally stable.

[tamatron]

As long as I still haven't heard rumours about the girls' love for clubbing, I still feel bad for their lack of sleep, although they must've seen it coming being trained in the company for so long, but for the group in the news? Not so much. If you go out every damn night, don't complain about your lack of sleep.


This news says that the shortest contract for SNSD/SJ/SHINee is 5 years and the longest is 13.
http://isplus.joins.com/article/article.html?aid=1197497