110805 Happy 4th Anniversary, Girls’ Generation!
Today August 5th, may be any typical day to most of the world’s six billion-strong population. However, to a group of nine girls and their countless fans, SONEs, worldwide, today is a day worthy of celebrations.
On August 5th exactly four years ago, a group of nine teenage girls; Kim Taeyeon, Jessica Jung, Sunny Lee, Tiffany Hwang, Kim Hyoyeon, Kwon Yuri, Choi Sooyoung, Im YoonA and Seo Juhyun, made their debut in the Kpop industry with an almost cringe-worthy name, 소녀시대, Girls’ Generation or simply abbreviated as SNSD.
Over a time span of four years and through tears and joy, the girls have proven skeptics wrong as they were initially labelled “merely” as the female version of their sunbaes Super Junior.
Their debut song ‘Into the New World’, perhaps one of the most memorable song to the girls and fans alike, was performed for the first time on August 5th, 2007, and till this day, this date carries a special meaning as the debut of Asia’s most popular girl group today.
Throughout the years, the girls have remained strong and supported each other through every ups and downs. As a result, their hardwork and determination paid off and they have since won numerous music chart wins with most (if not all) of their title songs; from ‘Into the New World’, ‘Kissing You’, ‘Gee’, ‘Oh!’, ‘Run Devil Run’, ‘Hoot’ just to name a few. Of course, one of the most memorable winning streak would be ‘Gee’ with 9 consecutive wins on KBS Music Bank’s K-Chart.
The girls have also went on to receive some of the most prestigious music awards in the country such as Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Female Group, Bonsangs, Daesangs, Digital Music Awards, Popularity Award, Hallyu Special Award and many, many more from the likes of Melon Music Awards, KBS Music Bank K-Chart, Seoul Music Awards, GaOn Chart Awards, Korean Music Awards, Hanteo, as well as awards from online music providers such as Bugs, Dosirak and Soribada.
And that is not even including the record breaking sales in Japan and the sell-out Arena Tour just one year about their debut in a foreign country.
But all these glamorous achievements aside, what makes these nine girls so much more successful from their peers?
Talk to any SONE and they are mostly likely to tell you about the strong, family-like Soshibond. The nine girls perspired and work together as one to achieve their dreams and none of this would be possible if their relationships and bonds were not strong. They cry and laugh together, they supported each other through everything they do and have to go through.
Other than their strong bond, these girls remain humble even with their title as Asia’s most popular girl group and with numerous hits under their name. How often do we see successful stars give ninety-degree bows to staff working with them or to their seniors without putting up the air of a superstar? Bowing is not just an act, it is an attitude, one that the girls have kept up well even after four years.
Personally, I did not get to know about Kpop until about a little more than two years back when I heard ‘Gee’ and other songs in variety shows. I was intrigued and looked up these songs and I got to know about Kpop generally but somehow SNSD managed to leave a deep impression among other Kpop groups of the time and one thing led to another before I became a self-claimed dedicated SONE and the rest is history.
In the beginning, I thought to myself, I will NEVER be able to tell these nine dorky girls apart but hey, little did I know, I am writing about them and their fourth anniversary today.
SNSD has changed the lives of SONEs in so many ways that it is almost impossible to elaborate. Through them, SONEs are united across the globe and we make friends regardless of borders through the internet communities and through means such as Twitter.
SNSD are so deeply embedded in our lives that we are extra-sensitive when we come across anything (words, phrases, names, etc) related to them and our typing fingers auto-complete words linked to them instinctively, like how I will always complete “girls” with “generation” or like how the alphabets “SNSD” comes so naturally together.
On a lighter note, check out the descriptions of the nine unique girls by taeroro85@twitter.com.
Kim Taeyeon, the “Appa” of Girls’ Generation. Forever the best leader in the whole universe. Protector of Tiffany Hwang.
Jessica Jung, the decider for every Girls’ Generation debates, most fashionable airport member.
Sunny Lee, the caretaker and protector for Girls’ Generation. Aegyo’s still bearable for me.
Tiffany Hwang, the “Umma” of Girls’ Generation. The perfect angel that walks among us on Earth.
Kim Hyoyeon, the mood maker of Girls’ Generation. Even the ice princess is taken by her humor and carefree image.
Kwon Yuri, the eldest “son” and prankster of Girls’ Generation. Sexy but extremely dorky, in a very very good way.
Choi Sooyoung, the official spokesperson of Girls’ Generation. Her angel heart is as big as her appetite for food. Shikshin!
Im Yoona, the 2nd son of Girls Generation. Flawless on the inside and outside. Heart as big as her alligator mouth.
Seo Juhyun, the maknae and fave child of Girls’ Generation. There’s nothing she can’t do. Determination is her motto.
In conjunction with the 4th anniversary, a project titled ‘Virtual Museum of Girls’ Generation’ was set up onhttp://intothenewworld.net, which was inspired by Sooyoung’s words on their official website which goes like this, “I hope that modern history textbook is changed to the history of SNSD.”
The multi-lingua Virtual Museum, which will open today, will contain the history of the girls, as well as the activity of SONEs. Be sure to check it out later today!
Also in celebration of the 4th anniversary, SONEs worldwide started to tweet their best wishes hours prior to midnight and the phrases ‘Girls’ Generation’, ‘#SNSD4thAnni’ and ‘SNSD4thAnni’ trended on the worldwide trending list in Twitter! At the time of writing, ‘Girls’ Generation’ and ‘SNSD4thAnni’ are still trending strongly on the worldwide trending list as well as the trending lists for many countries.
As we come to the end of this article, all of us from the Fanwonder.com family would like to send our heartiest congratulations to the girls of SNSD for their 4th anniversary as well as to the SONEs worldwide, who are celebrating the joyous occasion today!
지금은 소녀시대! 앞으로도 소녀시대! 영원히 소녀시대!
Right now, it’s Girls’ Generation! From now on, it’s Girls’ Generation! Forever, Girls’ Generation!
Image credit: Thsutleo, Woorissica, SuperSHINeeSNSD@Twitter, Untagged photos credit to their respective owners.
Credit: SONEternity, taeroro85@twitter.com, yenSBSi3@youtube.com, whxzc@youtube.com, SoshiBond009@youtube.com
Source: fanwonder.com
