Taeyeon's Vogue Magazine Interview - March 2024

 

 

The Taeyeon in front of me has a relaxed face, but I am well aware that she is stricter with herself than anyone else. It's possible that one's mind would be busy with reflections on the past year and the new demands of the year.

 

Taeyeon: My satisfaction level last year wasn't particularly high. I think my standards might have been too high. I spent the time with my family planning for the future during the New Year holidays. Instead of getting caught up in regrets, I'm trying to interpret life more positively.

 

People who have perfectionist tendencies usually regard their own evaluation as more decisive than that of others.

 

Taeyeon: In the end, what remains is my own satisfaction and sense of accomplishment. I have often been told to let go, but having lived this way all this while, I don't really know how to loosen up. I want to learn how to rest. Ah, and how to motivate myself with rewards.*

 

Seeing that you've often used punishments instead of rewards suggests that there must have been times of exhaustion. You must have passed through a 'burn out' without realizing it.

 

Taeyeon: That's right. Looking back, there were such times. I wonder how I got through it. But even though it was difficult, it would be a waste to stop and stand still. With so much support from fans, it's hard to give up easily.

 

It's really nice to see that the driving force behind her endurance is actual love, and not being strict on oneself. As someone who values a sense of achievement, one of the most consistent habits Taeyeon consistently has maintained throughout her life is the 'Miracle Morning'. Her wakeup time is 7AM.

 

Taeyeon: I'm hesitant to call it a 'miracle' (Laughs). Even so, I tend to wake up early. I try to go to bed before midnight if it's possible. It's been about ten years since I naturally wake up before the alarm goes off.

 

The reason for the early wakeup is because she likes the silence before everyone wakes up. There's also a satisfying feeling in moving a bit faster than others. This is Taeyeon's morning scenery.

 

Taeyeon: When I wake up, I play soothing music first. Sometimes I listen to it all day long. But it has to be a song without lyrics. With songs that have lyrics, it feels like someone is constantly talking nearby, throwing words and sentences at me, which can be a bit tiring. As for my own songs… I don't listen to them much (Laughs).

 

She finds herself in her most loved scenery too.

 

Taeyeon: When it's time to go to work, there are more cars on the roads and areas with lots of traffic. At those times, I find myself just gazing blankly at the Gangbyeonbukro highway and I like it. People are moving, the day is starting, and I can feel the energy.

 

While not entirely belonging there, there's a sense of dipping one foot into it. It might be the attitude of living through the contemporary era as an artist.

 

Taeyeon: I can't afford to relax. It may look ambitious, but as the age bracket of those who support me becomes more diverse, I want to keep up with them. I have young fans who are in their early teens, so I have a big desire not to hurt or disappoint them.

 

After completing her first concert in three years last year, Taeyeon left a heartfelt message on Instagram. 'Rather than showing you all at once. I want to show you slowly and naturally, as if sinking in. I want to remain like a lingering scent.' As someone who is sensitive to scents, she likened her presence to a lingering scent.

 

Taeyeon: I hope it's a subtle and soft scent. I like the vanilla fragrance. Because it's not sharp.

 

This preference reflects the changes that time has brought.

 

Taeyeon: When I was a rookie, I had a strong desire to leave a lasting impression right away, but after working for a long time, I realized I needed relaxation. Since this is a job I'll be doing for a lifetime anyway, I thought it's better not to rush and to show (myself) slowly. I thought that I needed to be comfortable so that those listening or watching would feel comfortable too. That way, they might want to keep watching me again and again.

 

Recently, she hosted a counseling session called 'Taeng Forest' on her official Youtube channel. She has a talent for counseling.

 

Taeyeon: Since I'm a quiet, serious person, this kind of content suits me. But it's disappointing when I can't solve the more serious and genuine concerns.

 

Despite appearing calm on the outside, she is a person with a natural, delicate radar who shows a great deal of interest and affection towards others. Perhaps this sentiment can be felt. There's a strong response to finding comfort in Taeyeon's songs.

 

Taeyeon: I genuinely want to empathize with the lives of those who listen to my songs. So that's how I decided on the direction of the lyrics of my songs from the early stages of my solo career. Let's not confine it to one theme, so that one can empathize with it in any situation. 'I' became a song like that.

 

It's not about letting a closed story flow in one direction, but rather about songs that can truly encounter someone’s life with vivid expression. That desire is also contained in vocals that are finely tuned like well-coordinated instruments.

 

Taeyeon: The ultimate goal of sound is maximum comfort. No matter how high the notes are, they shouldn't be sharp, and they shouldn’t allow the ears to get tired.

 

It's a beautiful thing. Spending a long time facing one's work so faithfully, persistently. It's something one nods their head to.

 

Taeyeon: Isn’t it natural? Are there people who don’t do it this way?

 

(*Translation note: Taeyeon references the 'carrot and stick' idiom which is explained by using carrot (rewards) and stick (punishment) to elicit a certain behavior from others or oneself).

 

Translated by @309KTYSS

Do not take without crediting!

Vogue Korea