Project Profile HyoYeon

[greywing]

♪ Oh Hyo, oh Hyo, how I wish you were doing things so I could spazz about them but you are never around and/or no one talks about you~ ♪ Don't talk to me about members X, Y, Z, I won't listen~ ♪ Even maknae has been getting modeling gigs and SooYoung was just featured in a magazine~ ♪

So since there is no Hyo!news, I'm going to do something that I've been wanting to do for some time now. Over at SSF, HyoYeonJjang (on LJ known as juneunhae) created the amazing "Get to know HYO!" thread. I've been wanting to do something similar, basically to compile all the tidbits I've gleaned about HyoYeon.

This is far from complete and I will continue to make edits as I remember more things to add/learn new things. I hope fans'll help me out because together we can really put together a source that'll let fans "get to know Hyo," as HYJ put it. However, I ask that you provide sources for any fact or tidbit you bring. If you can provide links, EVEN BETTER. I'm a big believer in primary sources or knowing where people got things.

Sources referred to and quoted here are brought to the English-speaking fandom by SoShi Subs unless stated otherwise. The placing of things in certain categories is mostly arbitrary as I can't decide where things belong half the time.

Basics

• Name: Kim HyoYeon [김효연]
• Birthdate: September 22, 1989
• Hometown: Incheon
• Blood Type: AB
• Height: 160+ cm (her stated height of 158 cm seems incorrect since HyoYeon is taller than both Sunny [158 cm] and TaeYeon [160 cm]) 158+/-? cm--juneunhae's eyewitness account suggests perhaps shorter than 158 cm
• Astrological Sign: Virgo (Zodiac), Snake (Chinese)
• Family: Mother (b. 1967? 1968), Father, Younger Brother (MinGu)
• Education: China Beijing Language Courses (중국북경어학연수)
• SNSD Roommates: Jessica (debut-c. 07.03.2009), SeoHyun (c. 07.03.2009-present); the roommate change-ups were first intimated by SNSD themselves on "Super Junior Kiss the Radio" [07.03.2009] by Jessica and SooYoung and then confirmed and clarified on "TenTen Radio" [07.06.2009].
• Dreams:
• In an interview in 2004, HyoYeon stated that she wanted to be both a world-recognized singer and dancer, as well as a fashion designer (HipHoper.com article). She has stated her desire to be a fashion designer several times since debuting (see [02.16.2009] Choen Interviews with SNSD).
• Also wishes to be a good wife and mother. She wants to marry early but fears/suspects this will happen later in her life because she desires it now ("Tablo's Dreamy Night Radio" [01.20.2009], "TaeYeon's Chinhan Chingu Radio" [07.01.2009]).
• To own a convenience store ("TenTen Radio" [07.06.2009]). LOL

Nicknames

• Dancing Queen
• Cutie Pie & Apple Princess - Self-given nicknames that HyoYeon used to introduce herself in the early days of SNSD.
• HyoSook-i - Nickname most frequently mentioned by Hyo herself when asked.
  
  • On "Super Junior's Kiss the Radio" [02.08.2010], SooYoung mentioned that this is her nickname for HyoYeon because HyoYeon was popular as a trainee (what the nickname means is still beyond me!).
• HyoBal-i - Seen in use on Shim JaeWon's Cyworld and by Jessica in "Miero BeautyN Real Rest Variety" ep. 3 Making Of. Explanation can be found here. {Thank you to anon.}
• Hyo-Raeng - Tiffany's nickname for HyoYeon because she finds HyoYeon's name difficult to pronounce. This nickname's association with the Korean word for "tiger," 호랑이 [horangi], is courtesy of hosts Jeong ChanWoo and Kim TaeGyoon on "Mnet Wide News Star Song Relay" [04.30.2008].
  
  • On "Super Junior's Kiss the Radio" [02.08.2010], TaeYeon says that this is the nickname she uses for HyoYeon.
• HyoBaram - A combination of Hyo + baramdoongi [바람둥이], meaning playboy, flirt, cassanova, womanizer. A nickname SooYoung used in her message to HyoYeon in the rolling paper segment of "Maybee's Volume Up Radio" [c. 05.08.2008].
• HyoDdaeng (? my Romanization may be wrong) - First used on broadcast by Sunny in "Girls Go to School" ep. 1. (There was another recent instance but I can't remember what it was.)
• 10-Year-Old - SNSD-given nickname because HyoYeon's sense of humor ("gag code") is on the level of an elementary school student. (YTN Star News - Incheon World Festival [08.05.2009])
• Kim Cho Ding - Courtesy of the "Hello Baby" production staff. Not sure what episode they started to use this nickname in their captions. "Cho ding" refers to an elementary school student.
• Takk Hyo - Courtesy of a teasing EunHyuk on "Super Junior's Kiss the Radio" [12.19.2007] in response to HyoYeon saying that she gets up with the sun, like a chicken.
• Laundry [빨래] Lady - HyoYeon apparently does her laundry every night. This has been brought up as early as the interview portion of HyoYeon's MTV Episode [10.25.2007], then later on "Park Soohong's DGDG Radio" [02.19.2008], and more recently in "Shimshim Tapa Radio" [01.22.2009] & [07.09.2009] (a member speaking in the background). Note that she only does her own laundry ("Shimshim Tapa Radio" [01.22.2009]).
• Princess Fiona - Courtesy of SooYoung, who called HyoYeon that after HyoYeon returned from studying abroad in China and had gained weight ("Girls Go to School" ep. 1). Having no idea who "Princess Fiona" referred to, HyoYeon was happy to be called a princess . . . until her mother clarified things for her. This nickname was revived on "Intimate Note" [08.28.2009] in admittedly hilarious fashion.
• Seen on fan placards: "Popping Joints HyoYeon" (according to Jessica on "Park KyungLim's Byulbam Radio" [01.13.2009]?), "HyoYeon Summer Light" [효연하경] (Women's Volleyball League Opening [11.19.2009])

Dance & Training Background

• HyoYeon's formal dance training seems to have started with Latin dance. She displayed her experience in salsa in "Global Talk Show" ("MiSuDa" [08.10.2009]). Her Latin dance teacher went on to introduce her to a hip-hop school, presumably the Winners Dance School. HyoYeon has also mentioned she's studied jazz dance (SNSD UCC).


• Attended the Winners Dance School, which specialized in popping, locking, animation, and other hip-hop styles. Her starting date has not been stated but it preceded her auditioning for SM. At the school she performed in the duo Little Winners with then-JYP trainee Lee MinYoung (b. 1991). Little Winners was spotlighted in 2004 by HipHoper.com. The duo's performance history includes:2003 OLD SCHOOL JAM Guest Performance
  B-BOY CHALLENEG [sic] Guest Performance
  Super Elite Model Competitions Guest Performance
  Street Jam Win [meaning that they won their category, I believe]
  
• HipHoper.com rehearsal footage {Thanks to CP for the link.}
• Performances: Street Jam, 2003? 2004? (no sound), Unspecified Stage
• Says she auditioned for SM when she was 12 years-old, Korean age, in the year 2000. She is the second longest SM-trained SNSD member after Jessica. HyoYeon herself had no intentions to audition; her mother was a fan of SM boy band H.O.T. and brought HyoYeon to the SM offices in the hopes, perhaps, of seeing them. For her audition, HyoYeon danced ("Flower Boys Generation" [08.04.2009], "Shin Dongyup & Shin Bongsun's Champagne" [03.14.2009]).
• In 2005, was BoA's silhouette dancer at MKMF. This was confirmed in the behind-the-scenes footage of "MKMF 2005 - The Golden Secret."
• Her most recognized dance performance is probably the pre-debut collaboration she did with Shim JaeWon to "Anonymous" by Bobby Valentino. It is often referred to among fans as simply the "Anonymous" dance.
• Has received dance instruction from the Electric Boogaloos ([02.16.2009] Choen Interviews with SNSD), choreographers who have worked with Justin Timberlake (including possibly Nick Bass and Trent Dickens if the HyoYeon fan-spotting in Super Junior's practice video is any indication) and Lee HyoRi (Kim HyeRang who guested on "Star King" [12.13.2008]), and choreography from Shim JaeWon (UCC Story).
• Before being put into the same girl group as the others, HyoYeon didn't practice with the other SNSD-members-to-be much. She was put into the boys' dance class and "didn't have a chance to hang out with you guys [the other girls]" ("Girls Go to School" ep. 8). SHINee's Key revealed that as trainees HyoYeon used to compliment his improved dancing ("Flower Boys' Generation" [07.28.2009]). Presumably they trained together.
• In the group, HyoYeon's dance is differentiated as being "powerful" by herself and others. She's confident in performing more boyish dances but believes that the long-legged/-lined members pull sexy dances off better. When dancing she focuses on body lines and bringing out the feel of the dance ([02.17.2009] 10 Asia interviews SNSD). See also 10Asia: [07.15.2009] Star On SNSD, "We are used to it; heels became pretty much our companion?": "Besides that, I try my best to accentuate looks or my body lines. I want to be like Beyonce; she has the best looks and facial expressions. When it comes to strength or energy, I think Chris Brown is the best."
• Of her attitude when performing, HyoYeon said, "I'm confident when I'm on stage. When I go up there, I think, 'I'm the best,' or 'I outshine even Beyonce.'" After seeing her display some of her dance skills on "Horror Movie Factory" ep. 4, actor Lee BumSoo gave her the advice that "your eyes are important" and went on to add, "When you dance to outshine Beyonce, if you look directly at the audience, it will make a big change." HyoYeon conceded that people have told her: "You dance well, but there is something missing."
• HyoYeon and SooYoung often engage in gag dances with each other, emulating other groups' choreography, particularly Norazo's "Superman" ("Kim JungEun's Chocolate" [08.15.2009]).
• In general, HyoYeon aims more to be a powerful female dancer-singer than a sexy one: "I think I have a lot to learn in singing and dancing still. I will practice more singing. And sexy dance singers are cool, but there aren't many powerful female solo dance singers, right? If I were to become one of the best like BoA unnie, I'd have to practice more" ([02.17.2009] 10 Asia interviews SNSD). As you can see, she, like all the SNSD girls, greatly admires fellow SM artist BoA.
• (HyoYeon once talked about how when she's learning dance, she watches first and then visualizes it in her head before attempting it with her body. I know there's more than one source, one of them being [02.16.2009] Choen Interviews with SNSD, but it doesn't say what I remember reading at some time. Any help?)
• As a penalty for not getting any votes for her dancing on "Park KyungLim's Wonderful Outing" - Wonderful Olympics [04.19.2008], Tiffany had to reveal a "shocking" secret and said, "Truthfully, I monitor HyoYeon's dance and teach her how to dance." HyoYeon was indeed surprised by Tiffany's revelation, but she agreed, saying (somewhat backhandedly, if jokingly), "Amazingly, Tiffany is really good at critiquing other's dancing, but she herself can't dance."
• Her commute during her trainee days was a total of four hours: two hours from Incheon to the SM company and two hours returning home. She would go to train after school, practice until 10 o'clock, and return home ("Deep Talk with Park JungHoon" ep. 12 [03.08.2009]). On "Super Junior's Kiss the Radio" [02.08.2010], HyoYeon said that the commute and the money it cost made her not want to go.

Relationships & Group Dynamics

• HyoYeon's mother is the youngest of the parents of the SNSD members ("KBS Good Song" [02.26.2009]). HyoYeon described her relationship with her mother as being like close friends: they chat, take walks, and go to restaurants with each other when she's home ([02.14.2009] SNSD: "We Want to fall in love too"). Around the time of their debut, though, HyoYeon has said that on a normal day, in a normal mood, her phone conversations with her mom are curt, filled with her giving one-word answers ("MTV SNSD" ep. 8 - HyoYeon).
• HyoYeon: "It's something my mom says very often, 'HyoYeon, do this!' If I don't, 'I won't go easy on you'" ("MTV SNSD" ep. 8 - HyoYeon).
• Has never mentioned having a little brother, but it stands to reason that she does have a sibling: the members have only ever pointed out that SeoHyun is an only child. EDIT: HyoYeon addresses MinGu as her little brother in her very sweet message to him in her "Thanks To" of the "Oh!" 2nd Album. This makes HyoYeon and Jessica the only members who are the eldest child in their families.
• Known non-SM associates: Lee MinYoung (JYP), Choi Jina (JYP), Junsu (JYP-2PM), Park Gyuri (DSP-Kara), Nicole (DSP-Kara), Hwang KwangHee (Empire-ZE:A)
• KwangHee did an imitation of HyoYeon on ShimShimTaPa on 01.24.2010 (@9:40+) calling him to ask about his debut preparations. DJ host Kim ShinYoung complimented his imitation of HyoYeon's husky voice. XD
• Apparently takes the responsibility of being older seriously: as "unnie," YoonA has said that HyoYeon will try to pay for everything ("Shimshim Tapa" [07.09.2009]).
• Is a good listener; YoonA and, according to HyoYeon, SeoHyun have kept HyoYeon up until dawn talking about their problems ("Intimate Note" [08.28.2009]). YoonA has herself said that HyoYeon listens to her all night in a subsequent interview (CeCi Magazine [Nov. 2009]).
• Has (or had?) trouble talking about her own problems and feelings; didn't feel comfortable asking for advice and would only consult herself ("Maybee's Volume Up" [c. 05.08.2008]). She has stated in an interview ([02.17.2009] 10 Asia interviews SNSD), however, "I'm usually introverted, but while working I realized I shouldn't be like that anymore. Before, if there was something that upset me because of a member, I would keep it to myself. Nowadays, whether it be good or bad, I tell them everything. I guess I got better in expressing myself" (trans. by bug@ssf). However, she has also turned right around and said on "Chinhan Chingu Radio" [01.22.2009] that she finds it awkward to speak seriously with many of the other members.
• To take that further, HyoYeon has said that she has trouble expressing her feelings, though she is often thinking about helping/taking care of others ("Maybee's Volume Up" [01.21.2009]). The others' retort? YuRi, speaking as representative, "Then you aren't taking care of us. How would we know?"
• Doesn't have an ideal man, as she admitted on "Mnet Wide News Star Song Relay" [04.30.2008]. HyoYeon has named many celebrity men that she likes: Brian Joo (Fly to the Sky), TaeYang (Big Bang), Kim KyuJong (SS501), Eun JiWon, G-Dragon (Big Bang) according to SooYoung on "Hello Baby." She would like to mix and match traits of the men she likes. The guys she likes have a sense of fashion and should look good in suits ("Tablo's Dreamy Radio" [01.20.2009]) or in jeans that fit well ("Star Golden Bell" ep. 224 [02.14.2009]), and, if they're performers, look cool on stage. As HyoYeon puts it, they need to have a certain "feel." She also wants the man to be the initiator, as she herself is too shy to take the first step, such as come up to her and say, "I've been watching you and I like you." Sunny has teased her about this scenario making it sound like HyoYeon wants a stalker ("YoonGun's Dreamy Radio" [07.01.2009]).
• In connection with that, YoonA named HyoYeon the member to be most susceptible to crushes/one-sided love [짝사랑] on "TenTen Radio" [07.06.2009]. On this show, the hosts also wheedled HyoYeon to reveal her crush: HyoYeon said "J" and then, at Tiffany's prompting her by forming the letter with her hands, "W." (As juneunhae will tell you, HyoYeon knows too many guys whose names start with "J.") HyoYeon herself said that she keeps her feelings to herself after one of the acting exercises with Lee BumSoo in "Horror Movie Factory" ep. 5.
• HyoYeon and Sunny have a self-professed physically violent friendship (that's all in good fun, as Sunny says they understand each other really well). They often perform hardcore pranks on each other while performing, such as hitting or pinching when it's the other's turn to sing ("Chunbang Jichuk Radio" [May 2008?] trans. popbuggy).
• SooYoung and HyoYeon apparently like to annoy each other. HyoYeon uses an annoying voice to wake up SooYoung or will speak to her using the same tone to get on her nerves ("Shimshim Tapa Radio" [07.09.2009]). But they restore their friendship through eating, such as putting food on each other's plates at the next meal time and telling each other to try it ("MNet Bobpers" [03.06.2008]).
• TaeYeon used to feel awkward around HyoYeon because, according to the leader, they both have sharp personalities and didn't want to hurt each other's feelings. So they were discreet around each other ("Chinhan Chingu Radio" [09.19.2008] & [9.23.2008]). In addition, TaeYeon once admitted that HyoYeon's natural tendency to wake up as early as she did made her feel insecure as leader. HyoYeon interjected: "But when we have to leave, I am the last person to go out" (Melon Interview [11.21.2007]).
• When YuRi first entered SM as a trainee who had won the best dancer award in an SM competition, HyoYeon considered her a rival. HyoYeon said, "I forgot about this, but people told me that I hated and despised [YuRi] before" ("Girls Go to School" ep. 4). Jessica and HyoYeon teamed up to prank YuRi the first day she came to the studio. They told her to take her shoes off although she wasn't supposed to. YuRi: "I was so scared of you guys that for a year I used honorifics (formal speech), even though we're the same age! But you never asked me to speak normally to you." (SooYoung apparently also joined in the bullying.) ("Intimate Note" [08.29.2009])
• HyoYeon has said that she would prioritize love/her husband over her work ("Park Soohong's DGDG Radio" [02.19.2008]).
• From what we can take from HyoYeon's story about probably being able to call future ex-boyfriends on "Global Talk Show" to sate her curiosity ("MiSuDa" [08.10.2009]), she's basically a busybody. She likes to know what's going on in people's lives.
• When asked which SNSD member she'd date if she were a man, HyoYeon has provided various answers:
• "Park SooHong's DGDG Radio" [02.19.2008]: Tiffany and Sunny. Since she feels that she lacks aegyo, she thinks it would be good to date an aegyo-filled girl like either Tiffany or Sunny.
• "Park KyungLim's Wonderful Outing" - Pretty Boy Contest [04.05.2008]: SeoHyun. "She's very feminine, and also has a kind heart. She is full of charms."
• "Maybee's Volume Up Radio" [01.21.2009]: reverse scenario "If this member were a guy, I'd want to date him": herself. (ROFL--she was suitably embarrassed afterward when called out to explain)
• "MTV Class Up!" [02.21.2009]: Tiffany.
• According to Tiffany on many occasions--and to the point where Tiffany says she feels jealous of HyoYeon's future boyfriend/husband ("Park Soohong's DGDG Radio" [02.19.2008])--HyoYeon will make a good wife. HyoYeon, on the other hand, nominated YoonA, who enjoys cooking ("Shimshim Tapa Radio" [01.22.2009]). She imagines having a marriage that feels "comfortable like a friendship" ("MTV Class Up!" [02.21.2009]).
• On "MTV Class Up!" [02.21.2009], voted herself the member who would make the best wife, lol. (She got Tiffany's vote again. It's difficult to see where everyone else is pointing.)
• Sunny and SooYoung voted HyoYeon the member who would "fight the hardest with their husband." Sunny explained that "HyoYeon can't express herself outwardly. There are often times when she doesn't get her message across. She feels sorry sometimes but she says scarily, 'Don't do that. Stop it.'" HyoYeon then explained that she's the type that becomes really quiet when she's angry or upset. SooYoung elaborated, "HyoYeon's not the type to scream but it seems like she'll make a huge scene," such as walking out of the house. ("Shimshim Tapa Radio" [01.22.2009])
• Is the only one to call Tiffany "Tif-FAN-y" (with a rising tone) (Melon Interview [11.21.2007] & can be heard on various shows).
• Was voted the member that is "scariest when angry" by the girls (minus TaeYeon and YoonA). For her birthday in 2008, the girls pranked HyoYeon by fighting and making it seem like HyoYeon was the problem. Upset, HyoYeon holed up in her room. When SooYoung went to call her out so that the girls could surprise her with the cake and food, HyoYeon asked SooYoung if she wanted to have a fist fight with her ("Maybee's Volume Up Radio" [1.21.2009]). According to HyoYeon, they made her cry (GoNews TV - Nexon Bubble Fighter CF Filming Set [12.23.2008]).
• Is jealous of the volume of Tiffany's voice, as well as SooYoung and SeoHyun's long legs (ELLE Girl [Sept. 2009]). {Thank you to head_hurts & CP.} She is also jealous of SooYoung's ability to speak well (inferred from frequent comments about SooYoung's speaking abilities, such as in "Dungeon & Fighter Radio" [04.10.2009]).
• Members have commented that HyoYeon displays motherly characteristics within the group:
• SooYoung: "If you go to the mart with HyoYeon, she is so practical and useful that I have to wonder, 'How does she know all this, she's like my mom!'" HyoYeon then went on to tell a story about the members shopping together for household necessities; although they were supposed to be buying things everyone could use, each person grabbed things only she needed. So when she was left alone to pay for everything, HyoYeon took out all the individual items she felt they didn't need ("Chinhan Chingu Radio" [07.01.2009]).
• On "Shimshim Tapa Radio" [07.09.2009], SeoHyun picked HyoYeon as the member "who has the most motherly smell." SeoHyun later clarified that it wasn't that HyoYeon had a motherly scent, but that "her actions are very motherly": she does the dishes in the morning, she does laundry in the evening, she wakes up people in a motherly manner (gently while patting the sleeper on the butt while telling them to wake up, with the exception of SooYoung).

Personality Traits & Quirks

• Her honesty is considered her charm point.
• Her personality is supposed to be like her father's, straightforward ("MTV SNSD" ep. 8 - HyoYeon).
• Preoccupied with cleanliness and hygiene. The thought of not brushing her teeth for a week grossed her out to the point that she lost her cool ("Mnet Wide News Star Song Relay" [04.30.2008]). Does laundry every night and says that she has to do laundry in order to feel at ease and cleans the living room and whatnot when she can't sleep, sometimes messing things up so that she can tidy the room ("Shimshim Tapa" [01.22.2009]). Will clean diligently and quickly even when she's tired, according to Tiffany and TaeYeon on "MTV Class Up!" [02.21.2009]. Washes the dishes before they pile up ("Shimshim Tapa Radio" [07.09.2009]).
• In the same way that she likes to wash her clothes right after she wears them, TaeYeon says that HyoYeon likes to take care of things that she has to do right away ("Park SooHong's DGDG Radio" [02.19.2008]).
• Describes herself as "normally shy . . . very shy with strangers." She's active and talkative around the other members (as anyone can see in BTS footage) but says that "with people I don't know, I'm a quiet type of person" ("MTV SNSD" ep. 8 - HyoYeon). This has been corroborated by one of the scriptwriters of "Factory Girl": "I worried how would I get close to always quiet and serious Hyoyeon.. Hyoyeon sparks up whenever the subject is on dancing, and we shared a similarity on how we spazz over performances of musicians that we like" (trans. bug@SSF). Yoon HeeSung of 10Asia made a similar observation: "Hyoyeon’s charm is explosive on stage, but when you see her in person, she is calm and quiet" ([07.15.2009] Star On, 10Asia interview behind Y's record).
• Traveling between schedules, she tends to sit in the front passenger seat and tries to hold conversations with their manager-oppas who drive the girls around. She does this to keep them from falling asleep and, as HyoYeon said, to entertain them: "I thought it'd be fun for them but they keep on telling me to go to the back." Thus sometimes the managers like it and sometimes they just want to push HyoYeon to the very back seat ("Chinhan Chingu Radio" [01.13.2009]).
• Apparently imitates people, even when she's getting a scolding. Tablo was certainly surprised when HyoYeon did it to him on his radio show.
• It is said that HyoYeon's favorite color is green, but personally I think that girl loves her some orange to a degree that is way above average.
• Has a fear of dogspuppies ("Miero BeautyN Real Rest Variety" ep. 3). This may be a general fear of animals, as HyoYeon was squealing as much as the pig in "Factory Girl" ep. 1.
• Her musical tastes run toward hip-hop and R&B. Artists she has cited as liking or recommended include 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Blu Cantrell, Missy Elliot, Beyonce. She has a deep love for Chris Brown and has mentioned wishing to perform with him (see 10Asia: [07.15.2009] Star On SNSD, 'We are used to it; heels became pretty much our companion?' & Sports Seoul: [07.20.2009] "'Tell Me Your Wish' SNSD, the 9 girls' wishes?").
• HyoYeon's favorite singers are Beyonce and Chris Brown as of 1.13.2009: "I want to give [our 'Gee' mini-album] to overseas singers Chris Brown and Beyonce. I just suddenly thought of those two singers. Maybe it's because they're my favorite singers. Although they won't understand anything, I would be happy if they just thought to themselves 'Oh there's really cute singers in Korea.' If it comes out that they've heard our songs, I guess alot of attention would be gathered to us as well. Was that too selfish of me? hehe.." ([01.13.2009] SNSD wants _____ to listen to their mini album).
• Her camera shyness/awkwardness was remarked on as early as 12.26.2007 by SooYoung on "Chunbang Jichuk Radio" (with agreement from YuRi), again by SooYoung on "Chinhan Chingu Radio" [01.13.2009], and then by YuRi on "Chinhan Chingu Radio" [07.01.2009], who pointed out that HyoYeon normally likes to play around and joke a lot. According to HyoYeon: "I think when a camera is turned on I get a little bit nervous and I just seal my lips" ("Chinhan Chingu" [07.01.2009]; trans. jmhong, junyeoli, cathode of SoShi Subs).
• Despite freezing in front of cameras, HyoYeon has been cited as being SNSD's "mood maker" behind the scenes, doing things like dancing hip-hop versions of songs that aren't hip-hop, i.e. "Kissing You" ("Chinhan Chingu" [01.13.2009]). SeoHyun wrote of HyoYeon: "As you all know, she is really good at dancing. Since she has the ability to manipulate her dancing moves freely... that is how she entertains people" ([09.24.2009] SNSD's Seohyun becomes a reporter for a day Part 4 trans. cathode @ SSF). Tiffany especially finds HyoYeon uplifting and "the energy" of her life ("Kim JungEun's Chocolate" [08.15.2009], "Hello Baby" X-File ep. 9).
• Was voted "the member that says and does the most weird and random things" on "MTV Class Up!" [02.21.2009] (not unanimously despite what hosts KangIn and JoKwon say; TaeYeon was pointing at YoonA, lol). Sunny explained, "Hyoyeon fools around a lot. But she plays and jokes around in a way that no one would ever think of. She tells weird jokes like that a lot. So if we're all in a bad mood, she's great at being the energetic one of the group." TaeYeon added, "She's really good at dancing, so she makes us laugh with our own dances." Tiffany: "She'll dance to 'Gee' and 'Kissing You' in a hip-hop version, and it's really funny." When asked to demonstrate her comedic dances, HyoYeon said, "I think it's hard to do it when I'm forced to. It has to be done when you can get a good feel to it. So it's only funny if everyone cheers me on and everyone is excited."
• Volunteered herself as both the funniest member and the one that tells the worst jokes on "DongGoDongRak Radio" [02.12.2009]. She says that her actions are funny, like her exaggerated dancing, but on the flipside once she gets people laughing, she tends to take her joking overboard and kill the moment.
• Has trouble speaking/articulating to the point that SooYoung teases her about needing to re-learn the Korean alphabet/language ("Hello Baby" X-File ep. 6). Some of HyoYeon's infamous tongue-twisted words: Winfrah Oprey (for Oprah Winfrey), underground/underliner, campfight/campfire ("Shimshim Tapa" [07.09.2009]).
• As many fans have noticed, she talks with her hands. Yoon HeeSung of 10Asia wrote of her: "It was difficult to hide the fact that she is a dancer because she utilized body language first when she was explaining things" ([07.15.2009] Star On, 10Asia interview behind Y's record). She has a habit of rubbing and scratching the area around her neck and collarbone when she's nervous or having trouble finding the right words (see the heart-to-heart messages segment on "Chinhan Chingu Radio" [01.13.2009] for one instance).
• Her tendency to give one-word, yes-no answers prompted SNSD management to advise her to also state the reasons behind her short answers so as not to be so curt. They told her to learn from how SooYoung acts ("Star Golden Bell" ep. 226 [02.28.2009]).
• Considers herself soft-spoken and possessed of a quiet voice, and thus prone to being spoken over or cut off when speaking among the group. This is a problem she shares with YoonA ("Star Golden Bell" ep. 226 [02.28.2009]).
• Loves food and was considered part of the "Shik Shin" (god of eating) group in the "NoCut" ITNW training room footage (the same where they showed off their signatures--date?). She can often be seen snacking on "Hello Baby." Her love of fast food has made her wish that "my weight stays the same even if I eat lots of fast food" (ELLE Girl [Sept. 2009]). SooYoung apparently monitors HyoYeon's weight and will ask her to "diet together" despite the fact that SooYoung's so skinny that she doesn't need to diet, essentially saying that it is HyoYeon that needs to lose some ("Maybee's Volume Up Radio" [c. 05.08.2008]). See also [06.27.2009] Going on a summer vacation with SNSD 'Tingling Imagination' for HyoYeon putting emphasis on eating good food while on vacation.
• When HyoYeon sees others cry, she feels sad and will cry too, such as when she sees parents crying at a wedding ("Maybee's Volume Up Radio" [1.21.2009]). She hates seeing others cry ("Hello Baby" ep. 3).
• Loves convenience stores, especially those in foreign countries and will insist on visiting them or make up excuses to go (much to SeoHyun's apparent dismay). She loves seeing the different snacks or different packaging of familiar snacks. As the "TenTen" hosts put it, she likes experiencing culture in convenience stores. HyoYeon says she'd like to own a convenience store. ("TenTen Radio" [07.06.2009])
• Due to a misunderstanding or a lack of explanation, HyoYeon wrote a message to herself on the rolling paper for "Maybee's Volume Up Radio" [c. 05.08.2008] and revealed that her inner self is an "unnie" (older than her). For example, her inner self will tell her not to eat and when she ignores that inner voice, it scolds her and tells her there's no use in regretting it.
• Said that scary stories don't scare her "because when I hear something from one ear, I let it go out the other right away! If it's anything I don't want to hear, I let it slip out the other ear as soon as I hear it!" ("Park KyungLim's Wonderful Outing" - Dangerous Invitation [04.12.2008])
• Is indecisive and fickle to the point that SooYoung, who is quite fed up with being ruled by HyoYeon's mood swings, revealed that the members place bets on whether or not HyoYeon will do something that she says she will do (go out, complete a task, etc.) ("Intimate Note" [08.28.2009]).
• Sunny was a victim of HyoYeon's indecisiveness when they shopped together at a bookstore/stationary shop. HyoYeon picked out a lot of stationary and asked Sunny which ones were prettier. Sunny couldn't tell the difference between the items and didn't care. But after ten minutes, HyoYeon still couldn't decide which items to buy, so Sunny ended up telling her which things to buy and not to buy ("Chinhan Chingu Radio" [09.15.2009] trans. by yuhdan/silis7noy).
• Spends a lot of time writing in her diary to the point that TaeYeon has no idea what she could be writing in it that takes so long. Her extensive collection of colored pens play a role in decorating the pages, it seems; Sunny said that seeing HyoYeon write in her diary was the first time she'd seen her "so feminine" XD ("Chinhan Chingu Radio" [09.15.2009] trans. by yuhdan/silis7noy).

Odds & Ends

• Is the only left-handed person in SNSD ("Family Entertainment" [02.28.2009]). Note that HyoYeon writes with her right hand. I think her handwriting tends to be messier than the others'.
• According to Sunny, HyoYeon is one of the three best long-distance runners among SNSD ("Chunbang Jichuk Radio" [06.16.2008]). In other physical activities, HyoYeon said that she used to ride around on kickboards (Incheon CF making).
• When she was a child, her dad made her do push ups and sit ups when she made a scene in public ("Shimshim Tapa Radio" [01.22.2009]).
• According to HyoYeon herself, she has ten piercings (fan account of the taping of "Kim JungEun's Chocolate"). I'm not sure if this includes her bellybutton piercing. During the same recording, she mentioned that she also has shoulder dimples.
• It is unknown whether or not HyoYeon actually graduated high school. When asked, such as on "MNet Bobpers" [03.06.2008] (also, I believe, during the "PJH's FM Inkigayo Mini Concert" [10.06.2007]), HyoYeon answers that she has.
• In conjunction with her desire to be a fashion designer, she collects different-colored pens in order to sketch designs (Focus News Network interview: [06.29.09] "Matured So Nyuh Shi Dae, Refreshing rather than Sexy").
• According to Sunny and TaeYeon, HyoYeon owns a 48-color rainbow colored pen set. TaeYeon thinks that it's "her most treasured item." This penchant for having a variety of colors extends to her wardrobe, where she owns T-shirts of the same design in different colors ("Chinhan Chingu Radio" [09.15.2009] trans. by yuhdan/silis7noy).
• SooYoung labeled HyoYeon SNSD's "fashion terrorist" for her styling choices ("Intimate Note" [08.28.2009]). Sunny then called HyoYeon a "fashion terrorist" in "Hello Baby" ep. 21 for her pride in wearing neon pink leggings.
• Is considered one of the better cooks in SNSD, along with TaeYeon who makes good fried rice [볶음밥] (KBS News Making of Chicken CF [04.12.2008]).
• Her sleeping face consists of her clenching her teeth and frowning (her lips droop). She doesn't like how people look sleeping with their mouths open, lol ("Star Golden Bell" ep. 224 [02.14.2009]).
• Used to frequently change her hair color pre-debut. YoonA and SooYoung said that the colors include green and red ("Star Golden Bell" 226 [02.28.2009]). Because of this, SeoHyun wondered if HyoYeon were a troublemaker.
• Has her driver's license ("Hello Baby" X-File ep. 21).
• Said that her alcoholic beverages of choice are cocktails ("YoonGun's Dreamy Radio" [07.01.2009]).
• As Jessica's roommate, she oftened massaged the cramps out of Sica's foot ("Shimshim Tapa" [07.09.2009]). HyoYeon can be seen doing this in "Horror Movie Factory" ep. 5, when Sica got a foot cramp doing a split.
• Is a fan of horror movies, along with TaeYeon, YuRi, and Sunny ("Park KyungLim's Wonderful Outing" - Dangerous Invitation [4.12.2008]).
• At one point was TaeYeon's older brother's favorite SNSD member ("PJH's FM Inkigayo" [11.08.2007]).
• Has said that the part of her body that she's most confident in are her eyebrows. Apparently, her grandmother went to town on her eyebrows at some time too ("Park Soohong's DGDG Radio" [02.19.2008]).
• In two separate episodes of "Come to Play," former Sech Kies member, now rapper Eun JiWon named HyoYeon the SNSD member he likes because she's so good at dancing ([03.23.2009]) and the artist he'd like to collaborate with ([09.07.2009]). He was so flustered when he answered the latter question that he accidentally said "Hyo Nyuh" in a mash up of "So Nyuh Shi Dae's HyoYeon." HyoYeon herself is a big fan of JiWon, as Tiffany pointed out in "Come to Play" and as YoonA teased HyoYeon about in "Hello Baby" ep. 18, suggesting that JiWon was one of the previous Daily Dads that HyoYeon wanted to invite to KyungSan's first birthday party.
• Hasn't done many gaeinki impressions, but two include Wheesung's "With Me" on "Chinhan Chingu Radio" [some time 2007?] and Louis Armstrong on "Shin Dongyup & Shin Bongsun's Champagne" [07.18.2009]. {Thanks to juneunhae who did all the detective work on the first one.}
• According to TaeYeon, HyoYeon said that in her hometown Incheon she was recognized as a master player of jacks/jackstones and participated in a competition. TaeYeon, quite amused, told HyoYeon that there was no jacks competition anywhere in the world ("Chinhan Chingu Radio" [12.13.2008]--I wonder if they ever had that match). {CP uncovered this delightful gem.}
• Pointed out that Jessica fries up ham with too much oil and wants her to stop ("MTV Class Up!" [02.21.2009], "Intimate Note" [08.28.2009]).
• Doesn't mind if people stare at her when she's in public ("DongGoDongRak Radio" [02.12.2009]).
• People often ask her if she's lived abroad or if she's a foreigner, particularly American. See "DongGoDongRak Radio" [02.12.2009] (noting the way that she talks sounds foreign; Hyo claims she pronounces R's well), "Hello Baby" X-file ep. 21 (where even SeoHyun said she seems like a foreigner, lol).
• On "Deep Talk with Park JungHoon" ep. 12 [03.08.2009], host Park JungHoon asked the SNSD members which they'd rather be: a singer who has fantastic vocals, i.e. "a true singer," but who isn't popular/is unknown, or "a huge [popular] star like SNSD who receives tons of love" yet whose vocals aren't that great compared to the first option. HyoYeon raised her hand to indicate that she would go with being the second. (SooYoung and Tiffany also chose this option.)

Psychological Analyses (these have been done on various shows and it's up to you to determine how much truth any of these hold)

• Psychological drawing assessment on "Deep Talk with Park JungHoon" ep. 12 [03.08.2009] done by Joo RiAe: HyoYeon drew a big fence, sheep (that look like ants according to Tiffany), a heart, and a mountain. According to the analysis, the fence represents a desire to protect something or someone, in this case SNSD, who are perhaps the sheep (easily harmed animals). Joo RiAe concludes that HyoYeon is "like a black knight."
• Physiognomic assessment on "YTN Star News - Incheon World Festival" [08.05.2009]: HyoYeon has the face of a femme fatale. She also appears to be loyal and able to step up and get things done. She takes good care of her friends. "A leader who isn't a leader." YuRi chimed in to say that HyoYeon is loyal and likes to take the initiative among friends. HyoYeon then joked that she's loyal to everyone but YuRi.
• Psychological profile by Song YeunSeuk on "Chinhan Chingu Radio" [07.01.2009]: Takes an "unnie" style/approach in the SNSD dynamic. Good at expressing her emotions, positive and negative, but can be hot-tempered. Honest to the point that it can hurt others (which she admitted to more or less). Has a healthy mind. Seems boyish and easygoing. If she were the leader, has the potential to lead the group with charisma.
• Psychological drawing assessment by Song YeunSeuk on "Park KyungLim's Byulbam Radio" [07.21.2009]: HyoYeon drew a lot of fruits, animals (dogs that look like pigs . . . or octopii), and crops--she has a lot of expectations of harvesting later, such as having lots of kids. Is a person who loves shopping based on the appearance of the house she drew--sparkling windows, lots of things inside. Drew stick people (skeletons) with hats: naive mind?

Last Edited: 02.10.2010