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9 beautiful ladies, Faith and determination to succeed, SNSD JJANG, Soshi 4th Anniversary, strive towards world domination in the music scene
Disclaimer: Contains personal opinion of the author with regards to Soshi’s faith & religion
“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will be able to move mountains and do great things” [Transliteration of Matthew 17:20]
July 16th 2007. A date that will forever be etched in the memory of SONEs everywhere in the world. Why ?
Well, it is because on that fateful day, 9 young, talented, but still emotionally fragile young ladies were brought together as a K-Pop girl group, and the name “So Nyuh Shi Dae/Girls’ Generation” officially released to the music world-at-large.
Critics immediately jumped on the “hate” bandwagon, calling them “a bargain basement” girl group and SM Entertainment’s knee-jerk response to the influx of K-Pop boy groups that were omnipresent then.
Even our 9 ladies themselves were disappointed with the given group name, thinking it “too common”, “not unique enough”, “too run of the mill”, “strange”.
As for their debut song: “Da Shi Man Nan Sae Gae/Into the New World”, it was almost like a gamble piece to enable them to be recognized in the sea of new pop groups being formed then. After all, everyone knows how fickle and cut-throat the pop music entertainment world is like. (In essence, the debut song of a new K-Pop group can literally make-or-break the future career prospects of that said group ;).)
Then August 5th 2007 arrived and the girls make their first public performance on television in SBS “Inkigayo”.
Fast forward to July 2011. The Girls have just returned from Jeju Island after performing one of their many hit songs there, “Hoot”, to drum up support for the island being recognized as one of the new 7 wonders of the world.
They have just finished a very successful debut Japanese tour, released a full Japanese album that reached double platinium status in a month, gotten number 1 position on Japan’s Oricon chart (a rare 1st for a foreign group), and are now in the midst of their 2nd Asian Tour.
Elsewhere around the world, their 1st SM Town Paris 2011 concert elicited a rare display of fan-power to persuade the event organisers to hold a 2nd concert performance for fans who couldn’t get tickets the first time around. In fact, the tickets actually sold-out in a record 15 minutes after being released ( all 6300 seats) !
On the accolades front, they have gained numerous music, cultural, industry, advertising, social, solo and group awards under their proverbial belt. The highlight, in my personal opinion, was the winning of the Golden Disc Daesang Award 2010, a real feat indeed for so junior a pop group.
They now have fans (SONEs) from the East to the West, and are officially recognized as the top K-Pop Girl Group in the world and the leader in the Hallyu wave now sweeping across the world :).
So, what changed ? Frankly, in my opinion, nothing much.
The 9 young ladies are still as dorky and playful as when they first debuted 4 years ago ( almost a lifetime). They, of course, have matured in ways both physical and emotional, in a sense living out their moniker of “earthly angels”.
Fame has yet to get to their heads (and I hope it never does) and they are still as humble in outlook as when they first burst onto the K-Pop scene those 4 fateful years ago. In fact, being so famous has actually humbled them even more so, which in turn has caused a boost in their popularity.
At every award presentation, they never fail to thank the 3 most important elements to their continued successes: God, their parents and SONEs (that is, their fans). In fact, their Golden Disc Daesang Award thank you speech started with a BIG acknowledgement to the contribution of the fans (both local and international) to their present and continuing successes.
No, I personally believe that each of these 9 fine, young ladies embodies what Our Lord and Saviour said in that iconic Biblical verse quoted at the beginning of this post, that anyone “with faith the size of a mustard seed” can move “mountains” if that faith is strong enough and God-based.
A mustard seed is a small, insignificant item by itself and, in essence, can be easily overwhelmed by bigger events in the big wide world outside. I would imagine that was the sentiments of each of our 9 ladies when they started on their journey as SNSD those 4 long years ago.
Yet, like what Our Lord has quoted above, sometimes a little bit of strong faith and belief is all that you need to achieve the so-called impossible task (“to move that mountain”, for example).
That, I believe is the real reason for the current success of our favourite 9 ladies. Each of them has that “mustard seed” level of indominable faith in what they believed in ( the girls themselves, individually, and the group as a whole, collectively), and that combined together (all 9), has produced a musical force that is to be reckoned with in the world’s music industry.
A musical force, with such tsunami-like influence, that it has swept all before it, silencing the earlier critics of our 9 ladies (vis-a-vis the fact that they are just a bargain basement girl pop group), and, in many, many cases, converting these said critics into their staunchest supporters (die-hard SONEs).
As for the others, their simple faith and trust in God and each other, has gained the beautiful, talented 9 young ladies fans from all walks of life, cultures and languages, the latter fact being the most amazing of all. To be honest, how do you explain the fact that, inspite of the fact that the bulk of the girls’ performance material is in their native Korean language, their concerts (both local and foreign) are always sold-out affairs and they get more fans to their collective name each time they perform (whether live or in a music video/commercial) ?
To be really honest, the bulk of the fans that support them (outside of Korea) barely understand a word of the language. Yet, the appeal of SNSD is still there despite the language barrier. Personally, I feel that fans of the 9 ladies sees what is intangible, that is, the simple faith that is present in each of the 9 to do their very best to succeed, but not at the expense of others.
In fact, they even go out of their way to help if they can, the other party being fans or not (reference Tiffany helping a so-called “anti” in her time of need outside the SM Entertainment building in Seoul, or Sooyoung going out of her way to bring some cheer to ex-professional basketball player Park Seungil, who suffers from Lou Gehrig’s disease). These tangible actions of care and concern serves to endear the 9 to people everywhere, SONEs or not.
Some critics may say that all this is the result of shrewd marketing by SM Entertainment to promote the girls and increase their popularity. If that were justifiably so, how then does one explain the fact that, despite new, and some would say, younger, prettier, maybe even more talented groups being introduced into the pop music market at a regular pace by many talent companies, the 9 ladies’ fan support base is not only holding strong, but increasing at an exponential rate ?
The truth be told, it is because the world-at-large recognises true faith in a person (or group of persons) when they see it. Thus, although it has already been 4 years post-debut ( a long time in the extremely competitive music industry ;)), the simple “mustard seed-sized faith” of the 9 is not only still holding strong, but growing as the years go by; a fact not unnoticed by the world. This, I believe, is the true secret behind the successes of our angelic 9 ladies.
What of their debut, so-called entry-level song then, which talked about love-lost and new opportunities found ?
Well, that song,”Da Shi Man Nan Sae Gae/Into the New World“, has become, in a way, the theme song of our 9 ladies :D. In these iconic lyrics, the hopes and dreams of these young, talented girls (ladies) are expressed for all the world to see and hear. It has struck a real chord with fans (both old and new alike), and I believe is what made many first-time listeners a SONE once they have heard it (I know it has with me 😉 !).
In essence, the song itself actually embodies the determination and dreams of these 9 ladies to succeed in fulfilling their set goals and personifies that “mustard seed-sized faith” that is present in each and every one of them.
The lyrics may sound cheesy to non-SONEs, but to true fans of our beloved 9 ladies, it chronicles their journey in the entertainment world, oh, so succinctly, and tugs at the heartstrings of all who listen to it.
In a sense, therefore, all that hard work, and the indomitable faith that each of the 9 ladies have within themselves, together has produced the musical whirlwind that is SNSD, which in essence is sweeping across the world now from the East to the West.
So, to our beautiful, young, talented, but, oh, so caring 9 earthly angels, here’s wishing you all the very best for your 4th anniversary as a group, and may the Good Lord watch over you always, reminding you to live out that “mustard seed-sized faith” that He has so graciously gifted each and every one of you with.
신이 널 축복해 소녀시대
sources: www.soshified.com, www.fanwonder.com, www.soompi.com, SuperSubbers01@youtube.com
SNSD Korean 
(._. ) religion all over mai soshi errywaer
WAE
Great article!
Really enjoyed the read 🙂
Don’t worry Kenneth, I get the message you’re trying to send, and its not about religion. Faith is something I think the girls have more than any other girl group around and its really admirable. Nice to see other sones so think about this kind of stuff too! Great article!
I’m so proud of our girls! they’ve come so far in just 4 years. I hope they continue to stay together and create beautiful music for the whole world to enjoy. ^_^
GOD bless SNSD, GOD bless us… 😀
Besides all the fame & achievements they have received, the greatest thing they have is probably that relationship/bond/ faith that they have with one another which will last a lifetime.
Hwaiting SNSD! in many years to come! 🙂
Great read this one was… 4 days until their official 4th anniversary… Boy has it been a ride.
Amazingly done 🙂
“To be honest, how do you explain the fact that, inspite of the fact that the bulk of the girls’ performance material is in their native Korean language, their concerts (both local and foreign) are always sold-out affairs and they get more fans to their collective name each time they perform (whether live or in a music video/commercial) ?”
My answer is that it is the Energy and Spirit of these nine that is of a higher level in vibration, brightness and pureness than any other stars in the world. They communicate something that is beyond words, and even make their own culture and language beautiful and of interest to others simply because of them.
Many people can have faith, including Christians and yet have different degree of results in what they create.
It isn’t just faith, but it is the grace that their faith access. It is grace through faith.
And it is the grace that comes by the gift of righteousness. Because “Among the righteous there is favor (grace).” – Proverbs 14:9
Romans 5:17 They which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
Are SNSD reigning in life? They sure are. And on high.
Deuteronomy 28: 1. the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth. 10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD. 12. And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath.
It is not just grace, but glory as well.
Psalms 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly (walk by faith).
There are other Christian stars as well, but WHY SNSD have this degree of effect? I am 100% sure that it is because they are specially a creation of God’s grace. They have the anointing. They each have a destiny and are called by God to be a light of the world in the area of super-stardom.
SNSD is blessed to be the Number One Girl Group in the world, just like Yongi Cho is called to be pastor of the largest Church in the World, located in South Korea (Full Gospel Church), and SNSDKorean.com is blessed to be the #1 SNSD fansite and giving glory to the Lord.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called WONDERFUL, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Matthew 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
@Kenneth
*Wall of Text*
I think you know very well by now that I’m not a religious person, but I don’t have to be one in order to understand the message you’re conveying to others through this article. I’m going to start off on a sour note, but hopefully it’ll get sweeter at the end.
Do you recall that one, particular dispute me and Rag’ had several months before? The one which you intervened and tried to resolve with your kind words? Well, it left an indelible mark on me, and I have myself to blame. I grew up with a cynical mentality, and was unfamiliar with how Korean Pop functioned. Understandable, as I was a relatively new convert back then. Initial attempts to fit in with the general crowd were unsuccessful, but that argument was to serve as a strong reminder for what’s to come. Because of my cynicism, I didn’t fully understand how the combined effort and emotional strength of SNSD managed to overcome the many obstacles which came their way. I admit to being irrational, unreasonable, incomprehensible and having an inexperienced mind back then. In spite of fighting on my behalf for the first response, subsequent responses were irrelevant to the topic at hand, and predictably enough, Rag’ won that argument. I took his and your advice to heart, and decided to slow down and think things through intelligently. As a result, I gradually let go of my cynicism and managed to spare some time of my own to fully appreciate and understand what SNSD was all about. I knew it wasn’t going to be feasible, but I tried my best to soak all that information in.
Fast forward several months into time, I wasn’t able to keep track of what came and went, but I know that all I could think of was SNSD. Attempting to keep in line with the title of your article, they have several endearing qualities which can influence others, but perhaps the most important one, was the simplest of them all. Believing in yourself. I used to underestimate how a little faith in your abilities can actually go a long way in helping you, but thanks to your article which summarized my entire experience with the group in words, I finally understood the scale of it all; an epiphany. SNSD didn’t need to undergo any major changes to suit the everchanging times, all they had to do was be themselves. Even after 4 long and exhausting years, SNSD is still the same group of bubbly girls we all know and love. I looked at some of their past videos, before the “Gee” craze, and was amazed at how unchanged in character these 9 beautiful ladies were. Adhering to their true behaviours was what made them so appealing, so pure, to people from all walks of life, along with their natural beauty and raw talents. Couple that with their ability to lead by example (for obvious reasons) and strong “Never-Give-Up” attitudes, and you had a recipe for instant motivation. “If SNSD can do it, then so can we.”
Now that I think about it, the dispute was sort of a blessing in disguise, to a cynical arse like myself. Heh, anyway, I interpret this sudden acquisition of faith as the desire to learn to become a better person than before. But of course, it’s open to various interpretations. I also feel that K-Pop in general, not just SNSD, is able to broaden people’s horizons, to view things that they’re unfamiliar with with an open mind, and not pure ignorance, bigotry and hypocrisy, as evidenced on the internet and with trolls wrecking havoc everywhere they go. Perhaps through the positivity of K-Pop, people could learn to accept and learn various forms of entertainment, hopefully spilling onto other things unrelated to music, and making the world a better and happier place.
@ Terrez
Thank you very much, my friend; I really appreciate the support that you have given me thus far in my tenure as an SK staffer :D. Cheers !
Kenneth.
absolutely beautiful
Great article as usual Kenneth. By the way, are you still doing a Tiffany birthday tribute article?
@ tiffany9
Thank you very much. As for Tiffany’s birthday tribute, I personally think that dreadtech did an AWESOME job this time around, so maybe next year, eh 😉 ? Cheers !
Kenneth :).
Wow! great Job kenneth. haha 😀
I guess I can’t be a staff here, but I am still waiting for the reply from them about the results.
really miss the song into the new world a lot.
I enjoyed reading this article.
wishing you the best kenneth 😉
Snsd Forever!
i mostly agree with everything it was a very nice article
….. just realized something fany reminds me of mandy moore so much
And here they are.. Four years still standing strong and tall..
What a beautiful article, Kenneth.. Good job!
Jigeumeun, apeurodo, yongwonhi SO NYEO SHI DAE ❤ ❤
and yes, absolutely..God Bless You, So Nyeo Shi Dae ^^
I believe in SNSD a lot more than the bible.
You’re right. Nothing has changed. They STILL haven’t had a solo concert here in Los Angeles all these years… 🙂
ugh christians and other religious groups, they ALWAYS come knocking at my door,almost everyday. Theyre fucking annoying. I worship SNSD more than “jesus”. I rather believe in something real then something fake in a book which anyone can write.
Take back my comment XD. Im being rude sorry , kenneth is still awesome.
guy’s i heard that taeyeon sooyoung ang yuri r in the philippines is it true other sone confirmed it
this will be lucky for me to see them here with their family ^_^
@SoshiNes
Wow! really when they will or just arrived? I’m am here in the Philippines 😀
You pretty much summarized my feelings and thoughts about these girls, Kenneth ^^
That faith (in themselves; in their fans; in the people who directed and produced MVs, commercials, shows, and photoshoots, choreographed their dances, styled them so that they can appear even prettier, and wrote songs for them; and in the God that helped them reach where they are right now) might have been the size of a mustard seed in the beginning, but now that faith not only moves mountains but countries and continents as well.
Another component is hope….hope for their future dreams, hope that is strengthened by accomplishments and all the blessings that they have received, and hope that is an anchor whenever they face hardships, trials, and obstacles.
Lastly, love. No explanations needed for the love that they give and the love that they receive, and of course, within the group, right? ^^
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13
Wrong. God has nothing to do with anything. It’s pure perseverence, luck, the fans, and talent.
Really, I get the message you’re trying to convey. But honestly I hate when people give credit to the wrong people. It’s our SoShi & Sone alone, clean and simple. Faith, god, religious quotes, leave them alone. In fact the Taeyeon is rumored to be an atheist/agnostic.
sorry if i have unintentionally caused offense whilst giving my opinion, i think sometimes we associate too much things with God? Sure Soo Young, Tiffany and few others are christians, and God would definitely have played parts to their current success, but what about non-christian artists that are also successful? Most non christian artists would also have faith (be it religion based/ non religion based). As much as as christians we must place our faith in God, I believe another equally important aspect is our attitude, our effort, our response-ability to adversities; had SNSD been christians but not successful, what do we have to say then? or find ways to justify God’s decision?
What I am trying to say is God has his own agenda and we believers cannot fit God into our own agenda/perspective..successful or not is a trivial thing in God’s eye, whether or not we lived according to His will and made the best out of our life is what matters to God. I believe Soo Young and few other members are fervent believers, but what I think attributes to their success (not discounting God in this) is their attitude,teamwork, professionalism, humility.
Regardless of race, language or religion, we SONES know what you are talking about..thank you.
There are many factors in regards to SNSD’s rise. But central to it all is always the Spiritual Source behind them. Without it, there would not be as much LIFE as this group possess. Jesus said “I come that you might have Life, and have it More Abundantly.”
Other than that, some factors would be:
1. Diligence.
Proverbs 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule.
2. Humility.
Psalms 37:11 the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Most important of all, in the area of Stardom, there is this thing call The SHINE. SNSD got The SHINE. And it is much brighter than many others. They have the gift, and they use it to the fullest.
I believe they are like the story of the good and faithful servant who was given FIVE talents and multiplied it into TEN. And then much more was given to him to multiply further.
The fact that so many of use back them up with our very being it makes them better and being a sone is like a virus, ur infectious ways attack another person and then theirs attack some one else and soon it becomes an epidemic. The girls will become a global trend no matter the language barrier they are just that charismatic. I only wish them luck with what ever they do.
enjoy this article
keep it up!
SNSD, fighting! ^^
so beautiful and energetic comment from u kenneth…its true the 9 angels true power lies in their bonds and spirit that never give up and caring for each other…im proud to be a SONE ….SNSD HWAITING AND MAY GOD BLESS U ALL….
Nice article Kenneth, really liked it. I really like to read all the news and articles about the 9 angels in this blog. I think is the very best blog about SNSD out there. Keep up the quality.
And I Hope the girls continue for many, many, many years more. Because we sones will always be there to support them.
Genesis 19 Verse 31-36:
“And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:
Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.”
There we go. Good Ol’ Bible!
But, to add: I love the post itself!
Ok so why can’t there be stories of people who do bad things in the Bible? Every good story needs something like that. And messed up stuff like that happens in real life everyday. Nowhere in the Bible does it say “here is a collection of stories about people who are perfect and you should do what they do.” Its also not a bedtime story for children. Its a book of history – yes, I do believe that. And much crazier things have happened in the course of history than the above tale.
I’m just saying, stories about people doing bad things doesn’t make the Bible a unholy book. It makes it one committed to teaching the truth of the things that happened. We are not taught to emulate those two girls at all. There is no passage that says anything like that, and very few verses in the whole Bible teach to emulate any mere human figure. Only Jesus. Because aside from God, nobody can be prefect, and we all do crazy junk and most of us regret it later. But unfortunately for these girls, their folly was recorded in the most famous book of all time.
(I’m just making a point guys. The fact that not everybody believes the Bible or Jesus is regardless here and pointless to argue about, so please know that I’m not trying to start a war here. Just saying what I feel needs to be said. If you think logically, the above story doesn’t ‘ruin’ the Bible’s good name. Thanks for taking the time to read this!)
Beautifully written article Kenneth (: I really enjoyed reading it~~
Like they say, the tiniest pebble can bring down the avalanche, so as long as the girls keep this mustard seed sized faith, they will surely be able to do great things in the future!
Right now, from now on and forever SNSD ❤
Thanks for this post Kenneth.
Faith is important, regardless of whether it is with God, family and friends, or with each other. These girls’ believed in something special, and it’s their continued commitment to this belief that has made them who they are today, and to keep them growing tomorrow.
Nice that my post was unapproved. Nothing was wrong with it. Don’t let your faith get in the way of discussion. It’s bigotive.
5th of August is drawing nearer and nearer…
thank you for this post, Kenneth.
it’s their 4th year yet they still stand strong and keep moving forward.
So Nyuh Shi Dae is not just 9 girls. they are so special that words many times cannot fully describe them.
thanks to my 9 girls, i now have hopes and strength.
it is amazing that they somehow manage to inspire us Sones and brighten up our lives.
though i am not a christian, i thank God who has destined these 9 girls to meet each other and become So Nyuh Shi Dae. So Nyuh Shi Dae is a surprise present from Him, to Sones, to life.
beautifully written Kenneth :]!
i’m not christian either, but i believe in god and i thank him for the existence of girls’ generation.
Great job on this post kenneth! To succeed you must believe in at least something!
GO SOSHISM!!!
Nice article Kenneth. Definitely have a new respect for ITNW, it’s actually one of their songs that I haven’t listened too as much.
In terms of your whole thoughts on faith, I wholeheartedly agree that believing in yourself and those around you is important.
At the end of the day, do I think SNSD attracts more fans because they are christian and believe in god? Not really, I think it’s more of something that fans can appreciate. I honestly feel that the girls earned their success themselves, but religion is certainly important in their lives.
@ Steve
Thank you very much, my friend, for your kind words :).
Yeah, in essence, Our Good Lord watches over the 9 ladies and keeps them safe as they work hard to improve themselves and be better performers for SONEs to appreciate ;).
So, in reality, all their hard work these 4 long years has finally paid off at last :D.
great post
Faith has nothing to do with it.
They are doing well because they trained hard and work hard, and because there are people in high places who see to it that things work out in their favor.
I really liked the article, and the very cool blog
i believe we each of us also have a mustard seed in ourselves that wait us to awakens its true power and let’s take snsd as an example that nothing is impossible if they can do it then so are we
So true! God is working through these wonderful young Christians! Praise Jesus! So inspirational to see their great faith!