With her musical approaching fast, Taeyeon recently had an interview with playdb, a Korean entertainment and ticket distribution website. The interview contained questions ranging from her musical to her everyday life, and is quite a lengthy (but worthwhile) read. I’ve gone through and re-edited/re-worded most of the translated article (T.T), so hopefully it’s a lot more readable than the original version. =]

TAEYEON’S MUSICAL INTERVIEW

All 9 of these girls have a constant loveable aura, as expected of their active and lively performances; they are indeed “Girls Generation”. Along with the released of Gee, this girl was also recognized by the public that she will make a daebak (great success) with the release of her previous ballads. The lead singer of the group, Taeyeon, is being chosen as the lead of the musical “Song of the Sun”, playing the role of Kaoru Amane and start her first challenge in her musical debut.

Having a pair of bright eyes and light skin, despite being in her early 20s, she still has the appearance of a little kid. Appearing at the interview site, the 1st impression of Taeyeon is cute and friendly, a person that will be liked by anybody, regardless of age. Compared to her lovely look on tv, she has a more calm and quiet personality in person, which makes people reminiscent of her role in the musical, Kaoru Amane.

Beginning early in the morning, she has to practice for the musical, then do album promotions, and finally end with djing at a live radio everyday. She should be very tired, but upon seeing familiar actors she would still greet  them, and once in a photoshoot, her pose will liven up naturally. When I see this, only then do I realize, “ahh~it’s So Nyeo Shi Dae”. In the afternoon, I met with Taeyeon who headed to her next musical practice, and we had a chat.

Question: Song of the Sun is your first musical, before that there must have been quite a number of musical invitations right?

Taeyeon: “I had heard about a few of the offers, but did not know any specifics because the company had control of the situation… so I’ve only heard a bit.”

Question: But your own will to perform for the musical is important too, what is your determination to participate in this musical?

Taeyeon: “Actually, I had a lot interest in musicals and I’ve also watched the movie Song of the Sun before, which left a really good impression. I also remembered before watching the movie, I listened to the OST and practiced it.”

Question: How about an introduction to the lead character in of “Song of the Sun” movie, Kaoru Amane?

Taeyeon: “Hmmm… Kaoru Amane is a girl who suffers from a rare illness called Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) . She is a girl who cannot go out  during the day and can only go out at night. But she is not the type of person who suffers from depression because of her illness, instead, she tries to make herself more cheerful. She’s a girl who practices music, so she’s also very emotional. She has a pure and innocent character who will fall in love with a guy named Koji when they first meet. So after studying it more, I felt that the acting parts might be a bit hard for me.”

Question: In what way?

Taeyeon: “Because the role is a very pure and innocent kind of girl, if I can’t express it well, then the audience may misinterpret what’s going on. Furthermore, there are already movies, dramas, and novels of Song of the Sun in Japan, which puts more pressure on me to do well. But I liked the idea of taking part in musicals or sitcoms.”

Question: The role seems suitable for you, maybe when the production company was reading through the script, they thought Taeyeon-ssi with pale skin would be perfect for this musical. (keke).

Taeyeon: “I also feel that based on appearance, there’s a few similarities (keke). A not very tall, small-figured, pale skinned character, these are features that I think are similar to what I have. However, based on character, I’m not very bright, and that’s different from Kaoru’s image.”

Question: What are the differences?

Taeyeon: “Everyday I’m DJ-ing Chinchin, and at those times, I don’t think I’m myself anymore. Since I’m the DJ and lead the show, I become very bright and cheerful, which I’m sometimes not aware of. But in reality, I’m actually the type of person who is very quiet and doesn’t talk often.”

Question: Do you think that there’s a huge difference between you and the role you play?

Taeyeon: “Kaoru Amane appears to be burdened, but at the same time, not. She’s also not the type that talks a lot, so there’s not too big of a difference.”

Question: There’s a scene that requires you to play guitar, is this your first time playing one?

Taeyeon: “In fact, this is my first time learning guitar.Before Song of the Sun‘s production team contacted me a month ago, fans gave me a guitar, so I was fascinated with the guitar at the time.”

Question: Does playing guitar seem stress to you sometimes?

Taeyeon: “Indeed, learning guitar takes a lot of practice. Due to my schedule, I don’t really have much time to practice, and when practicing with the other actors, it also becomes different, so I’m quite stressed about it. I have to really buckle up and practice, and since there’s no guitar teacher, I’m learning by myself.”

Question: “Self-taught?”

Taeyeon: “Yes. (keke) When I first started learning guitar, I would refer to the guitar guide book which was given by my fans. There’s also an unnie (Hong Eun Ju) who will do double casting with me, and she had helps me out a lot. That unnie told me this is also her first time playing guitar, but she played very well. When I’m learning, I find it’s also interesting because I find that I’ve improved. (keke)”

Question: Besides playing the guitar, it is also your first time in an acting role. Do you have any interest in acting?

Taeyeon: “Yes, I’m interested. Not tv dramas or movies, but I would like to try a simple comedy drama. I’ve really wanted to try this, so I went to discuss with my manager oppa and told him if there’s musicals or sitcoms for me, he must remember to inform me about it. But the company have their own plans (keke). Maybe because I’m the lead singer in SNSD, they didn’t choose me for acting immediately.”

Question: How do you feel about your first time acting?

Taeyeon: “Because this is my first time acting, there’s a lot of awkward moments. There’s also a lot of hand gestures that I’m not sure how to do, but the others actors did it very well, so they helped me a lot.”

Question: There’s a huge difference between practice and real acting right?

Taeyeon: “When I read about how the other actors act, even the word “Hello” shows a big difference, depending on the accent. There are always times when I think that this should be correct, but later I realize ‘ahhh~ actually it’s not like that.’ I’ve learned a lot by looking at the various real situations.”

Question: Next time if there’s chance for you to take part in a sitcom, it will be very helpful right? (keke)

Taeyeon: “Haha, I’m really looking forward to the opportunity. But Kiss scene? aigoo… I don’t know ah.”

Question: I’ve heard that Taeyeon-ssi is very serious about the role, and even memorized the script beforehand. When you are alone, how do you practice?

Taeyeon: “Because there is not enough practice time, I will try my best to memorize the scripts lines as much as possible. Not long ago, I bought a voice recorder so I recorded the other actors’ lines in advance. Then when there’s break in between schedules, I will take it out and listen, and I will practice my lines out. Just like having a practice with the other person. It’s to confirm all the things I’ve memorized, and also to get the proper tone. But actually, I feel like I’m playing by myself. (keke)”

Question: SNSD members didn’t help you out?

Taeyeon: “Because the other members are busy with their individual schedules already, there’s not much time for the members to get together often. I would also like to concentrate on my things, so I would feel a bit sorry by asking them to help me.”

Question: The 2 main characters of the show, Kaoru Amane and Koji have a pure, loving relationship. How are you going to portray those feelings?

Taeyeon: “Haha erm… firstly, I think I would have to be immersed in the character of Kaoru Amane. Just think that I’m the real Kaoru Amane, and hopefully there won’t be any awkward feelings. During breaks, I try to talk a lot with Koji, who is played by Jun-Sik oppa, to try to become closer. He makes jokes and acts naturally around me to make me more comfortable. As for me, hmm.. it seems like I’m having different feelings each time (keke). There’s a lot of awkward scenes, and you can probably see the real side of me in my acting, since I’m a shy person.”
Question: Actors usually will act in natural sentiment as time goes by, do you ever did that?

Taeyeon: “Till now there’s been no skinship with Koji, so it won’t have that kind of feeling. Just like when I’m in school, and I’m attracted to the guy I like. It’s necessary for me in order to do the script, so I will purposely have an eye contact with him, and that will create a very subtle atmosphere”.

Question: I heard that there will be a kissing scene, fans will worry about it right? (keke)

Taeyeon: “If you’ve watched the movie, you will see that there was a kissing scene. All the members (SNSD) were very worried about it and asked ‘Is there any kissing scene?’ When I read the script, there is. But I’m not sure if it is considered as a kiss, it is just like touching of lips only. But I’m not so sure know. For me… I had asked the other seniors a lot of times ‘Is that really necessary?’, they said ‘Yes’. What do I do? Members will surely oppose to it.(keke)”

Question: Why the members will oppose to it? (keke)

Taeyeon: “They said no, from the family point of view. (keke) I don’t know. For me, aigooo…don’t know ah~(keke) Based on that scene, sentiment is very important, and if it’s really necessary, then I will do it. Fans may see me as SNSD’s Taeyeon, but here, I feel that I’m not SNSD. Because in the musical, I’m the youngest actor. Haha, if I really have to do it, then do it ah~ …”

Question: It seems like you have quite a lot of concerns and worries about the kissing scene ah~ It was supposed to be a simple question.

Taeyeon: “Yes, I think a lot (keke). And I also feel a bit burdened about it (keke). Before debut, I was looking forward to it, but now we must also take a look back too.” <- I’m not too sure what this line means.

Question: Currently you girls are having promotions on your repackaged album “Run Devil Run”, but nowadays there’s a lot of incidents that are happening in the country, so there isn’t much activities, right?

Taeyeon: “Because of it, I have more time to practice on the musical. Well, don’t know if it is a good or bad thing. Music shows are being canceled, so I can make use of the rehearsal time to go to practice room for musical practice. I feel a bit lucky, but SNSD album promotions are important too, so I’m also a  little bit worried. It’s kind of contradictory.”

Question: There’s a lot of activities for SNSD members. Jessica-ssi had participated in a musical before, Yoona-ssi has acted in dramas before also. Do you think that you were influenced by them?

Taeyeon: “I’m not too sure about being influenced (keke). I have seen members act in musical and drama before. I know it is very hard that I have to wake up early in the morning, with a busy schedule afterwards. I’ve also said to Yoona, “You must’ve been very tired right?”.  But thinking about it, Yoona is only 1 year younger than me, and if she can do it, then I can do it too. That’s become my motivation.”

Question: Jessica-ssi debut first based on musical, did you get any tips from her?

Taeyeon: “There weren’t many tips, but she said many aspects are very difficult. She’s made me think about a lot of things. Things like ‘Do you think you’ll be tired in the morning? Of course you’ll be tired’ and ‘If there are times that you couldn’t make it to the musical practice, will you feel guilty about it?’ All of these are what I’m going through right now.”

Question: Musical practice is it early in the morning?

Taeyeon: “It starts from morning 10am, but for an idol, mornings are before dawn. If that day there’s a lot of schedules, we have to wake up at 2~3am. So 12am is counted as slightly before morning (keke). For me, in order to get there by 10am, I will wake up at around 8.40am, wash up and have my breakfast, then get ready to depart.I will get nervous while on my way there, the feeling is just like I’m returning back to the school (keke).”

Question: There’re only 25 showings for Song of the Sun, and Taeyeon-ssi will appear in 13 of them. Although it will be very tiring, there must be something you looking forward to right?

Taeyeon: “To me,this is a good chance for me to test myself. If there are any mistakes on the stage, I think that I would blame myself. In order not to blame myself for any mistakes, I putting a lot of pressure on myself. I try to memorize the lines as soon as possible, not make any mistakes, and just keep on pressuring myself so sometimes I get headaches.”

Question: Before SNSD debut, you girls had gone through a lot of training, so wouldn’t it be easy for you?

Taeyeon: “Not exactly. Before our debut, becoming SNSD was our goal, and that was what we looked forward to. But right now, it’s different. We have to do more things than just concentrate on our singing. Musicals, Djing, and also Promotions; previously we only look forward, now we have to look to the side and back to continue moving forward again.”

Question: A lot of places are inviting SNSD for activities, the opportunities were because of Gee right? It really reflects a strong feeling. How did you feel back then?

Taeyeon: “When we first won No.1 with Gee, it was quite unimaginable actually. Even holding the trophy, the members were all very happy and excited (keke). Although we are really happy about it, everything seems too good to be true, so it doesn’t feel like reality. But when watching TV, I feel that my face has come out quite a number of times. I also often see other members appearing on TV, radio, or CF, only then do I feel that there’s a really a lot of places inviting us. We’ve discussed amongst the members, that we have to work harder and maintain our image.”

Question: So greedy ah… (keke)

Taeyeon: “Haha, because I think that idols have a limited career span, so we have to show everything we have right now.”

Question: If thinking about an idol’s career span, do you already have long term plans?

Taeyeon: “SNSD soon will be having our Asia Tour concert as well as singing, Yoona also may have some dramas to act in and so on. Dreams are always getting bigger, and there will always be more things to do. I have been thinking of going to Japan, with thoughts such as ‘so Japan look like this ah~’, there are many thoughts and feelings, so dreams are also getting bigger.”

Question: Knowing that you girls are also very popular in overseas, did you know about the overseas fans building a SNSD museum?

Taeyeon: “I was very shocked about it. I hadn’t ever really about about that. Just reading the letters from fans only, most letters are from Asia. But recently, a lot of them are from Canada, England, Holland, US, and more. Then I realized that this isn’t a joke. Our spirits were shaken up, and it makes us want to work even harder.”

Question: But being always under spotlight of everyone, is there a time  that you girls suddenly felt tired about it? For example, just now when there’s a short shooting session, a lot of eyes from the crowd are looking at you.

Taeyeon: “Hmm.. I don’t know. I just let it be. I don’t feel like I’m an artist, and I odn’t have to try to cover up anything. To be honest, if I’m going shopping alone and the attention is all on me, I will feel a bit uncomfortable. However, since we are human, we walk (keke) so it doesn’t really matter. There’s also a time whereby they blocked my way, or trying not to let me go. Other than that, I’m grateful to those who are able to recognize me.”

Question: If there was one day that people don’t recognize you, what would you do?

Taeyeon: “First is go shopping, then go to the amusement park with my members.”

Question: Amusement Park seems to be a hot topic recently, it had been a topic on variety show before (keke). referring to Strong Heart.

Taeyeon: “The kids can’t hold themselves back, so they sneaked out (keke). That time they went there with their scarves with them. Sometimes we can’t do things that we’re supposed to be able to do during our everyday lives, like riding a bicyle around the Han river. In fact, I can’t exercise over there too because those ahjumma will recognize me and they will come and grab me (keke, laughter).” Note – Ahjumma = an older or middle aged woman.

Question: How’s life in the dormitory? Did you set any rules or anything for the girls living together?

Taeyeon: “There aren’t any specific rules set. All the things are done by ourselves. We’ve lived together for 3 years. Just basic etiquette like if it’s not yours, don’t make it dirty. All these are done properly, and we have our own rooms so there’s nothing inconvenient. 

Question: Going for practice soon? Lets have our last question. Introduce the musical stage and say something to your fans who are coming to support you.

Taeyeon: “All of the musical stages are very good. As you know, every actors is very serious and passionate about their performance. Every single scene is relatively important for the next scene, and I hope that you guys will watch it. Because this is my first time acting in a musical, there might be some part I may not perform that well, but I hope you guys can accept it. I also wish that everyone will not regard me as SNSD’s Taeyeon, but as an actor Kim Taeyeon.”

cr: playdb.co.kr, Fanstaengoo + snsdlife @snsd-life.blogspot.com

Translations re-edited by greeentee@snsdkorean.wordpress.com