Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon on her new career as a DJ and collaborating with 3LAU and Ummet Ozcan
Hyoyeon has been playing some of Asia’s biggest clubs and EDM festivals, and receiving rave reviews for her work
Where do you go after having been a part of one of most popular and successful K-pop groups of all time? That’s the question facing DJ Hyo, real name Kim Hyo-yeon but better known simply as Hyoyeon.
Formerly the main dancer for bestselling Korean group Girls’ Generation, when the idol outfit went on effective hiatus in October 2017, many wondered what would come next for the remaining members. How do you successfully follow-up being part of an award-winning ensemble estimated to have sold several million records?
Some seven months later, fans got their answer when SM Entertainment announced Hyoyeon was returning to music, this time as a DJ. Although a significant change of direction for the 29-year-old, her work behind the turntables has been receiving positive reviews and the one-time idol has been playing some of Asia’s biggest clubs and EDM festivals since making the switch.
Switching from being part of a girl group to a solo artist must have been quite a change. What has been the hardest part of that shift?
When I was working in Girls’ Generation, there was a part of me that tended to depend on the other group members. As I started to perform solo, there was a lot of pressure and responsibility I had to get through alone. But this endeavour provided me with greater feelings of accomplishment.
What made you want to become a DJ in the first place?
I started to become more interested in various genres of music as I danced. I began listening to EDM music while I was performing in Girls’ Generation and I started to imagine myself being on the DJ stand, playing my music to the audience.
And what have the girls in GG said about your DJ work? What encouragement have you received from them?
GG members encouraged me and further motivated me to perform as a DJ. They told me I’ve a great talent and a different individuality as a DJ, and that I show an attractive character when I play my own music.
What kind of preparation do you usually do before a DJ performance?
I envision the separate parts of the show as one entity, not separately. Music, make-up, styling and stage concepts are all one entire factor of consideration. I also take the show venue, audience preferences and staff’s comments and advice into consideration.