Girls' Generation's Sooyoung Recounts Loneliness During Hollywood Debut

Actress Choi Soo-young, formerly of the K-pop group Girls' Generation, has opened up about the challenging and lonely period she experienced following her Hollywood debut.

In a YouTube episode of 'Salon Drip 2' released on the 16th, Choi Soo-young appeared alongside actor Kang Tae-oh. She expressed pride in having hit songs, stating, "It's great to have hit songs. When I hear our songs playing, I think, 'That's our song.'" She added, "The era when those songs were popular never disappears; music doesn't age," showcasing her enduring affection for Girls' Generation.

Reflecting on her career since debuting in 2007, Choi Soo-young shared her early struggles, mentioning that her mother had encouraged her to prepare for university entrance exams until her second year of high school if she didn't succeed. "I was at a crossroads, deciding whether to join Girls' Generation or another girl group, which felt like my last chance," she recalled.

She also revealed that she prepared for acting roles simultaneously, auditioning for high school student parts. "The actors sitting in the audition rooms with me back then have all become great actors of our age," she noted.

Choi Soo-young recently made her Hollywood debut in the film 'Ballerina,' describing it as an "opportunity to reconsider my life." She spent three weeks in the U.S. alone, receiving comprehensive care from the film production company from the moment she landed. Despite the support, she confessed to feeling profound loneliness.

"Even though nobody was around to criticize me, I felt lonely just by being alone, and everything felt sad," she explained. "Even when I spoke English, I worried if I was saying something offensive. The next day, I'd observe the other person and quietly put on my earphones." She admitted, "I spent about a week feeling sorry for myself, but it was a necessary period," and revealed that she had cried at least once, surprising the hosts.

Regarding the action sequences, Choi Soo-young emphasized the importance of action training for actor safety. She trained with the 'John Wick' stunt team for a scene involving being shot. "They asked me to perform like in 'John Wick,' dying instantly, not the slow-motion chest shot typical in K-dramas," she said. Initially confused, she eventually understood the timing after reviewing the film, sharing a humorous anecdote about how her interpretation differed from the expected "John Wick" style.

Meanwhile, Choi Soo-young has been publicly dating actor Jung Kyung-ho since 2012, maintaining a long-term relationship for 14 years.

Netizens reacted to Sooyoung's candid account of her Hollywood experience, with comments like, "Sooyoung is truly amazing," "It's great to see her doing so well on her own," and "Jung Kyung-ho must be very supportive."