Girls’ Generation, also known as SNSD, is one of the most famous and successful K-pop girl groups of all time. They’ve been around for many years and have a huge fan base all over the world. Even if you’re a big fan, there might be some things you don’t know about them. Let’s dive into 10 interesting facts about Girls’ Generation that might surprise you!
1. The Group Name Made Them Cry
When the girls first heard their group name, they weren’t happy at all. In fact, some of them even cried! They thought “Girls’ Generation” wasn’t cool enough. At that time, most K-pop groups had English names, so they were expecting something similar. Before their official name, they called themselves “girl group” or “super girls.” The members were sad because they had trained for so long and thought their name wasn’t special. But don’t worry – they grew to love their name over time!
2. They Almost Didn’t Debut
Believe it or not, Girls’ Generation almost didn’t make it as a group. Why? Because of fights between the members! Just like real sisters, they had some big arguments. One time, there was a fight between Jessica and Hyoyeon that was so bad, Hyoyeon didn’t come to practice. The other members were worried that Hyoyeon might not want to be in the group anymore. Another time, Tiffany and Taeyeon had a big disagreement before a show in Japan. It was so serious that they almost had to cancel the whole performance! But in the end, they worked things out, just like a real family.
3. They Broke Records with “Gee”
“Gee” is probably Girls’ Generation’s most famous song. It was so popular that it broke records! The song won the top spot on a big music show for nine weeks in a row. At that time, this was the longest any song had ever been number one. “Gee” was their first big hit and made them super famous. The song was even popular in Japan, which is rare for Korean songs.
4. They Could Have Had More Members
Did you know that Girls’ Generation could have had up to 12 members? That’s right – the group we know today could have been much bigger. Just three months before they debuted, there were still other girls training with them. Some of these girls went on to join other K-pop groups later. The plan was to have 10 members, but one trainee left the company because the training was too hard. It’s interesting to think about how different the group might have been with more members!
5. They’re Known as “The Nation’s Girl Group”
In South Korea, Girls’ Generation is often called “The Nation’s Girl Group.” This is a big honor! It means that they’re so popular and well-loved that they represent the whole country. They got this nickname because of how successful they are and how much people in Korea love them. It’s like being called the “national heroes” of K-pop!
6. They Were Invited to the Blue House
The Blue House is like the White House in America – it’s where the president of South Korea works. Girls’ Generation was invited there as special ambassadors for “Visit Korea” from 2010 to 2012. This was a big deal! They were chosen because they helped make K-pop and Korean culture popular around the world. The girls said this made them realize how important their image was. They noticed that fans in other countries were singing along to their Korean songs and even learning Korean because of them.
7. Some Members Were in Other Groups Before
Not all the members of Girls’ Generation started their careers with this group. Sooyoung was actually in a duo called Route θ with a Japanese singer before joining Girls’ Generation. The group only lasted for a year, though. Sunny almost debuted in a duo called Sugar, but that group never actually debuted. It’s interesting to think about how different things would be if these other groups had worked out!
8. They Have Strict Dorm Rules
When the girls lived together in a dorm, they had some interesting rules. For example, they played rock, paper, scissors to decide who got to shower first. They also wrote their initials on their underwear to avoid mix-ups! One funny rule was that the last person to wake up had to clean everything. Since Jessica loved to sleep late, she often ended up being the cleaner!
9. They’re Multi-Talented
Girls’ Generation isn’t just about singing and dancing. Many of the members have other talents too. Some are actors, appearing in TV shows and movies. Others have become fashion icons or have their own YouTube channels. Taeyeon, for example, is known for her amazing voice and has a successful solo career. Yoona is a popular actress, and Sooyoung has starred in many TV dramas. It’s impressive how they can do so many different things!
10. They Have a Special Connection to Super Junior
Girls’ Generation was actually created to be like a female version of another famous K-pop group called Super Junior. Both groups are from the same company, SM Entertainment. This connection is part of why they were first called “super girls” during their training. Even though they ended up with a different name, you can still see some similarities between the two groups in their early days.
