3 Things You Never Knew About Taeyeon, That’ll Make You Cry
Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon has a fan base that no other girl group member’s can compare. She is beloved worldwide, with fans from not only Korea but all over the globe. While her out-of-this-world talent and looks may make her seem completely surreal, here are some things about Taeyeon that show she is only human and just like the rest of us.
1. Taeyeon’s love for her fans is the realest thing you’ll see.
The thing about Taeyeon is, she is closer to an introvert than an extrovert. So she is often spotted off to the side, quiet, and observing. When she began interacting with her fans though, it melted every one of their hearts.
The biggest reason I ever do anything is my fans. My fans will make me move, no matter what. If they want to see me do something, I have to show them. That is the only way I can repay them for the love and support they have given me.
— Taeyeon
At Girls’ Generation’s first US fan meet, Taeyeon was spotted tearing up after hearing that the girl group’s fans stay up all night trying to beat the time difference and get the latest updates from Korea.
Taeyeon’s crying!
— Tiffany
When she first created her Instagram account in 2013, Taeyeon explained it’s solely for communicating with her fans. She is constantly uploading pictures and videos that are interactive for her fans.
Throughout the years, Taeyeon’s Instagram has become one of the most influential social media accounts in Korea. On a TV interview, Taeyeon explained why.
Social media is not a waste of time. It is how I get to connect with my fans from all over the world
When I’m not promoting, I feel super empty. So I can only imagine how it will feel for the fans who have to wait and wait. It must feel like walking endlessly without having or knowing a destination. Our album always comes out a little slower than we expect it to release, so I feel terrible about the long hiatus… It’s hard not to be on social media if I really think about my fans.”
— Taeyeon
Taeyeon will always put her fans first, because she knows she won’t exist without them.
2. Taeyeon is constantly battling stress and stress-induced conditions.
When Taeyeon said, “I don’t want to be alone, but I want to be alone”, she literally broke a million hearts.
Especially because of her quiet, calm nature, Taeyeon is often talking about how she spends a lot of time by herself. While this is exactly where Taeyeon wants to be, at the same time she can’t help but feel lonely and even depressed. She mentioned, “After a performance, when I return to being alone, I feel so empty sometimes.”
On an episode of Radio Star, Taeyeon shared that she has a way of dealing with the depression. Fellow member Sunny mentioned that Taeyeon has the tendency to dig deeper into depression once she starts to feel a little gloomy.
I used to have a lot of ear piercings because I got them every time I felt depressed. Now I don’t wear them anymore, but I had six total on both sides. Working is stressful, but not working is even worse. I actually prefer to be so busy that I can’t even think.
— Taeyeon
On another TV program, Healing Camp, Taeyeon talked about how she tried to stay home through her gloomier days and that led to drinking alone.
I had a long hiatus and that gave me too much time to think. I tend to pick on myself when I get the chance and I get really exhausted from that. It was hard for me to sleep because I had so many thoughts running wild in my head. I began drinking so that I could fall asleep.
— Taeyeon
Fans have always been worried about Taeyeon’s mental health, but it really got intense when her good friend, SHINee‘s Jonghyun, passed away.
I really liked you, loved you, wanted to hug you, and comfort you. That was something I could have done, but I lost the chance and I regret it so much now. I hate myself for it. I’m so sorry, my beloved, precious Jonghyun. I feel like if I call you right now, you’ll answer in your high pitched voice. I miss you so much. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you, I love you, and thank you. I remember you writing “Lonely” for me. We’re so much alike. We had so much in common. I know what you were feeling. — Taeyeon
Only four days after Jonghyun’s death, Taeyeon had to go on stage for her solo concert. Throughout the concert, Taeyeon remained positive for her fans but they realized she must be going through a lot. Since the news of Jonghyun’s death, fans flooded over to Taeyeon’s Instagram and left supportive comments that showed her she is indeed not alone.
My precious Jonghyun… We had so much in common, that I wanted to hug you and comfort you all the time. I’m so sad we can’t be together anymore. Please remember him and his music.
— Taeyeon
3. Taeyeon knows what it feels like to be hated, but she won’t be shaken.
After the news of Taeyeon and EXO‘s Baekhyun dating broke, Taeyeon received a tremendous amount of criticism and hate, especially in the comments of her Instagram.
Some comments were unbelievably cruel. To a picture of Taeyeon sitting on stage, haters commented, “She must have nothing else to show except her body” or “She’s probably trying to help the audience jerk off to her”. One hater simply copied and pasted “Die” all over her social media, wishing Taeyeon will take her own life.
The outrageousness continued to grow and the haters started to attack Taeyeon’s family as well, by leaving her hurtful comments like “Your mother taught you wrong” or “Everything you do is shaming your family.”
To this, Taeyeon responded with legal action. She made a statement in the comments section, claiming she will be taking the malicious commenters to court. Even when she was involved in one of the most intense criticism and hate, Taeyeon was worried about her family, friends, and fans.
I’m reading everything. My family, friends, fans, and I have all been suffering from malicious comments for a while now. Some of you have asked that I take legal action and my fan sites tried to help me too. At this point, I’m more worried about how much this is stressing my beloved ones. It burns my heart and I’m in so much pain.
The agency and I have discussed our plans to take legal action, so we have been collecting evidence. If you have any that would help, please send them to me. I’m sorry for putting all of you through this and I am forever grateful for all of you who are always on my side even for situations like this. I thought I was strong enough, but looks like I have a long way to go. Let’s get through this and party it up as always.
— Taeyeon
It is no wonder Taeyeon’s fans are so loyal and stick with her through the ups and downs. It would only make sense, as it is clear Taeyeon loves her fans as much as they love her!
