What Are the Real Reasons Tiffany, Sooyoung, and Seohyun Left Girls' Generation?
Back in October of 2017, the K-pop community was rocked to their very core when it was announced three members of innovative girl group So Nyeo Shi Dae (SNSD) -- better known as Girls' Generation -- have chose not to re-sign with their label.
Tiffany, Sooyoung, and Seohyun have parted ways from SM Entertainment. As time went by, we learned all three wanted to primarily pursue careers in acting. However, one must wonder exactly why they decided to leave SM Entertainment, an entertainment agency who took care of them for more than a decade if we were to include trainee years.
In this special article, we will generally detail Tiffany, Sooyoung, and Seohyun separately on why they chose not to renew with Girls' Generation. What were their motives? Were there any possible underlying reasons or rifts between artist and label? We will explore all possible faucets on them leaving.
The "American" goes back home!
We will start out with the easiest of the three to cover: Tiffany. Real name Stephanie Hwang, Tiffany is considered one of the more popular members of Girls' Generation. She is also the only remaining foreigner in the group too. It is this combination that was the catalyst for disaster in her career.
One must understand that when a foreigner moves into a foreign country, it will take decades to truly incorporate every finite detail of the new home they've made. All the more major details will be taken into account such as holidays and laws, but there are so many finite details in culture alone that will always label a foreigner a foreigner. In Tiffany's case, it showed in her Japanese flag scandal.
During a Girls' Generation tour of Japan, Tiffany wanted to update her fans about her life at the moment in which it must be stressed she was in Japan! Ergo, she used Japanese flag emojis and symbols as decoration. Unfortunately, she forgot that around the same time, South Korea was celebrating their independence from Japanese World War II rule. Needless to say but Tiffany using Japanese emojis and symbols on her social media may not have been the right move given the fact most of her fans are Korean, but it was still an honest mistake.
Honest mistake or not, many Koreans or at least the ones online need lessons in forgiveness because they really don't seem to know anything about it. Kind of bad for a country that is predominantly Christian right? Anyways, Tiffany was heavily martyred per se as almost everyone readily pointed fingers at her mistake.
It did not help that SM Entertainment did nothing to help her. All they did was wag their finger at her while chastising that it was "her fault" for causing the situation she caused. She knows she is at fault but once again it was an honest mistake. Eventually, they literally ruined Tiffany's career by not standing by Tiffany but by shelving her. Her solo music career was done and she was forcibly removed off of Unnie's Slam Dunk, a Korean variety show that was giving her much exposure.
As a result, Tiffany had no choice but to leave SM Entertainment. They weren't going to protect her so why stay with them right?
As for her endeavor to act in American television, she is entering the industry at a far better time now than back then. Reason why many Asian Americans go back to Asian countries to act and sing is because the opportunities in the United States are not afforded to them beyond stereotypical tropes (nerdy Asian, confused tourist, etc.).
But with shows like Fresh Off The Boat and Sense8 featuring minorities from Asia in lead roles, Tiffany now has a far better chance of making it big in Hollywood.
And if there was any movie that really showed minorities across the board being featured, look no further than Spider-Man: Homecoming. With the exception of that out-of-place factoid about the Washington Monument, this movie did a great job incorporating numerous minorities in major roles without it looking forced. All and all, Tiffany will do better here in the United States than in South Korea if she finds the right agency to represent her.
SM Entertainment: Number One in Music... not so much in Television and Film!
Let's say Tiffany does decide to stay with SM Entertainment to further her acting career. Such a move would actually not be good given the label's track record in star actors and actresses.
To be frank, SM Entertainment's top actors stem off of the centers of their most popular K-pop acts. Victoria is from f(x), Siwon is from Super Junior, and Yoona is from Girls' Generation too. However, they are actors who "get the part" for being big K-pop stars more so than just acting despite the fact both Victoria and Siwon are both good and Yoona is improving. As for actors from the ground up, none of them really stand out.
With that in mind, both Choi Soo Young and Seo Ju Hyun -- known as Sooyoung and Seohyun respectively in Girls' Generation -- probably knew that to truly grow as actresses, they need to sign with an entertainment label known for handling actors who have made for themselves.
There are also rumors that SM Entertainment turned down numerous roles for both Sooyoung and Seohyun. I cannot verify this to be true but if they did, it is most likely to make sure their center Yoona does not get left behind them. Both Sooyoung and Seohyun proved to be amazing actresses in their respective K-dramas, 38 Task Force Unit and Scarlet Heart: Ryeo.
Girls' Generation still Eight Members?
Ultimately, Tiffany, Sooyoung, and Seohyun leaving SM Entertainment had a lot to do with the direction of their careers. Television and film are not SM Entertainment's strong suit and the three ladies know that. As for Girls' Generation, are they no longer a part of them?
For Sones, this might be a possible sliver of hope. Though Tiffany, Sooyoung, and Seohyun have left SM Entertainment, they still consider themselves a part of Girls' Generation. This might mean there was a clause in their contracts that gives them access to still be a part of the girl group even if they leave SM Entertainment. This is all conjecture at this moment but many K-pop fans, especially Sones, really hope that those three leaving SM Entertainment does not also mean they left Girls' Generation. It was heartbreaking enough when Jessica was "forced" out of the girl group, it will be even more heartbreaking if they lose three members back-to-back.
Whatever the truth might be, many K-pop fans especially Sones (like me) wish Tiffany, Sooyoung, and Seohyun the best in their future endeavors. We also wish Girls' Generation the best too either they remain eight members or have to move onward as five members. As long as they don't disband. That would be too painful at this time.
© 2017 Watchman Jan