Get to know the REAL Tiffany Hwang

Birth Name: Stephanie Hwang

Stage Name: Tiffany Hwang

Korean Name: Hwang Mi Young

Band: So Nyeoh Shi Dae / Girls’ Generation

Position: Supporting vocalist

Date of Birth: August 1, 1989

The American girl.

Tiffany was born in San Francisco, California and grew up in Diamond Bar, California. In 2004 she came first place in the CJ/KMTV contest and was picked up by SM Entertainment. Three weeks later she moved to Korea without her family and started her training.

“It was really brave of her, really. I had my whole family supporting me. They’re here with me right now, but she still doesn’t have her family here and now she’s so big, she’s so huge, here in Korea. And, I think her family would really be happy.” - Jessica.

One of the most admirable things about Tiffany is how hard she works.

During the Variety show Champagne, SNSD’s manager picked Tiffany, along with Seohyun, as the girl who would have succeeded academically because she puts the most effort in whatever she does.

Regardless of the task, she puts one hundred percent into everything.

“Tiffany cannot lead in dancing or anything but she knows her weakness well, and to improve…for example if we had to master some choreography in one hour, she would practice for another two more hours. So yeah, I was envious of her hard working spirit.” - Yuri.

“She really studies hard. She became the MC for a music show and she felt proud and studied even harder. Everyday she would study the script and write down things she didn’t know, and ask about words she doesn’t understand and would write down the definitions.” - Yoona on Strong heart talking about Tiffany’s improvement in Korean.

“Everything will be good as long as you do your best. Because if you do, there will be no regrets.” - Tiffany.

Her dedication.

After their Baeksang Arts Award performance, Tiffany fell down the stairs and injured her ankle as a result. Despite this, she still went up on stage to give Yoona her flowers after she had won an award.

When she couldn’t dance on stage along with her members, Tiffany stood at the side of the stage with her leg in a cast and performed on Music Bank with them.

In January 2009 a member of staff met both Tiffany and Hyoyeon in front of MBC’S Music Core waiting room and Tiffany told her,”Unnie, I’m always so excited to be on stage. I was hospitalized yesterday ( her fever passed 102°F), but I’m very, very happy now that I could be on stage again today.”

Her heart.

If you looked further than what the first page of google shows you after a name search, you’d see that she has a heart of gold.

“All of my unnies take care of me very well, but Tiffany takes care of me a lot.” - SeoHyun.

“Tiffany seems to look after the members the most.” - Maybee.

“It’s because we’re a family.” - Tiffany.

When Yoona guested on the show Manwon Happiness and couldn’t eat anything other than left over food, Tiffany deliberately left a whole bowl of rice from her meal for Yoona to eat. It was a simple gesture, but it was really sweet to see her kindness.

During a volunteering activity with fans, Tiffany encouraged the group she was in to work hard and they ended up finishing first. Afterwards she suggested that they help the other group since they had done all of their work.

Watching hello baby it was always touching to see how much Tiffany cared for Kyungsan. Despite not always being that hands on with him, she was always taking care of him in any way she could.

At the start of the series, whenever she tried to get close to the baby, he cried and Tiffany didn’t like that so she would stay away from him. Watch episode six and you will see how much she cared and worried throughout the episode.

She kept giving the girls and daily dad instructions, which were normally very useful, instead of carrying the actions out herself because she didn’t want to upset him again and whenever the baby was in distress, you could see how sad Tiffany would get.

“Tiffany is the one who thinks about the baby the most, even if it’s only on the inside.” - Sunny

“Tiffany knows what Kyungsan likes and what he doesn’t like. So she watches from afar, when he cries she really does hate it. And all of the mess you guys made earlier, she was the one to clean them up alone.” - HyoYeon.

“The ones working hard behind the scenes are the best moms. People who talk and do the work.” -Sooyoung.

“Correct. Tiffany you are my best mom!” - HyoYeon.

Later on in the series, Lee Hyeok-Jae, who is a parent himself, chose her as the best mom.

“Regardless of weather or not the camera was on them, this person took care of and watched out for the babies welfare, health and environment. Since it airs after the main broadcast, I watch hello baby often. I watch over SNSD’S upbringing of the baby as well as their interest and love for him, as a parent myself. I think this person is the most underrated parent. In her heart she has a lot of love, but she doesn’t know how to express it. I think after they begin to share each other’s feelings, She’ll be the one that will have the hardest time parting with the baby. I like her for not only taking care of Kyungsan but my daughter Kyuyeon as well. Tiffany I love you.”

Tiffany participated in the abandoned dog photo shoot and cried after seeing Sergeant, a dog named by Tiffany herself. Sergeant is an abandoned dog that cannot walk because its front right leg was injured in a hit-and-run car accident.

After the photo-shoot she cried again because she wanted to take the dog home and take care of it, but her manager didn’t allow it.

In June of 2010, Tiffany along with HyoYeon and SooYoung volunteered at a soup kitchen.

When SNSD were in Japan for a photo-shoot Tiffany found out that one of the workers there didn’t have anything to eat for breakfast, so she gave him her lunch and bought him snacks to eat.

Sulli from f(x) said in an interview that Tiffany told her if she ever wanted to buy things she could use her credit card instead of using her own money.

Once a fan took snacks and a letter to the airport for Tiffany, but missed her by fifteen minutes. The fan gave the stuff to a member of staff, and once Tiffany heard about it she sent the fan an autograph.

During her performance with a disabled children’s choir on Star King, Tiffany moved from her spot in the center of the stage to the side of the stage so that the whole of the choir could be seen on camera instead of herself.

Tiffany once asked fans to donate money to charity instead of buying her expensive gifts. Tiffany herself has donated to different charities.

“God is not helping me just so that I can live well alone. I also want to be a good example to younger fans.” - Tiffany.

Staffs impressions on her

“When I had an eye contact with her randomly, she shows that sweet eye smile. Every time I see that smile, I feel happier. It makes me to smile along side her so hard that my cheekbone starts to hurt” -Inkigayo scriptwriter.

“Aegyoful cute Tiffany. She gave me chocolate, and after the shooting, She sat right next to me on the floor. Not sure why but she looked and smiled happily at my startled expression. So we took this picture, and took another one using my cell phone. She’s really cheerful and kind. Probably that was a part her training…but it’s hard to find someone kind and good mannered like her these days. I just want to say I was honored that we shared a lengthy conversation.” - Arena staff member.

“The door opened and Tiffany first came inside the studio. Slim legs and bright smile. She already became a lady from a girl. But the ground shaking sound of “Hello!”, her unique greeting is still the same. Without a doubt, Tiffany has the sincerest greeting manner among idol singers I have seen. Not only that she really actively participates in the interviews. Well, half of things she talks about is on herself, but for another half, she talks about how good other members are before anyone.” - Interviewer from 10 Asia.

“SNSD members are all nice. Especially Tiffany and Sunny are examples of really nice young adults, which is kind of hard to find these days. They are like angels. I should have known it from the last photo-shoot I had with them. Those two greeted 45 staff members individually. Truthfully, this never happens and I would almost say that it’s weird to see such a situation.

Tiffany was also very unique. All throughout shooting, she kept advertising for us. I guess she had a phone call during the 1 hour break for lunch. She kept repeating on the phone that everyone here is really nice and fun to work with. That made me feel so thankful, but in addition, she would make and bring coffee for staff members. Usually it would be the staffs who would bring coffee for the idols, so how nice must that have been… Photographer Kim Dongchul was eating a sandwich and she went over there to thank him and give him a little massage. After shooting, Kim Dongchul said, “They are really nice people. I wish I can marry off my son to one of them,” and was full of other good compliments.

Tiffany brought a chair for the editor who stood up to organize the charts, and Sunny, who did not have any breakfast herself, handed out sandwiches to all staff members before sitting down to eat herself.

I really want to thank the two of them and say that they grew up really well. I remember being really surprised a few weeks ago, on Kim Jungeun’s Chocolate, Tiffany said that her mother… was not with her anymore. I thought that Tiffany was raised so well inspite of that and would like to see my daughters grow up to be like Tiffany in the future.” - Ceci Fashion Editor.

“Tiffany was the best, she and Yuri really cheered us up. I was holding the reflector for her and was just three feet away from her and I was so tired I murmured ‘oh darn… so tiring…’ then Tiffany looked at me and said ‘It is tiring yes? Hwaiting!! Cheer up!!!’ so I told her she was my favorite and she laughed out loud.” - LG Chocolate Assistant.

Others on Tiffany

“The way Tiffany unnie thinks… She is very mature. Her sense of responsibility is strong as well. There are many things to learn from her.” - SeoHyun.

“I’d like to have Fany’s bright and positive personality. I really like to learn her toughness and positive mind that allow her to persistently overcome any fears.” - Sunny.

“When Tiffany laughs, she laughs so innocently and like a child. But she’s really mature and adult-like. She’s really thoughtful and I think there are lots of things we can learn from her.” - Sooyoung.

“She can shed tears because she went through a lot of pain that people don’t know about.” - Kang Ho Dong during strong heart talking about Tiffany’s pre-debut years.

“Because of my introverted personality, it was really difficult at first but Fany supported me well. She’s younger than me but I learned a lot from her. She’s really hardworking, and it feels comfortable around her.” - Kim Hyesung

“Tiffany has an ability to capture people’s heart.” - Sung ShiKyung

“Tiff is a fighter and that’s what I love most about her, she’s very optimistic too so she’s pretty much the lil’ sis I never had” - Ida ‘DJ Isak’ Simmons.

“‘The one who gives me faith’. When I’m tired I talk to Tiffany unnie, she listens to me and gives me advice and prays for me. When I listen to those words from unnie I start feeling lot better and happier.” - Sulli.

“She is seriously one of the most self-less and truly loving friends I’ve ever known or met. She cares so much about every one of you, and she really does pray for all her fans, I think sometimes more than herself. She is a walking angel.” - Jaeson Ma.

“She’s a charming girl.” - Kara’s Gyuri.

In her own words.

“I definitely think that it’s not a far away dream as long as it has that much passion and the passion gives you responsibility.”

“We weren’t afraid like, oh what if we lose to someone, it was we didn’t want to lose to ourselves.”

“There were many things that happened for us to get here, but we were able to finally get here with trust and love for each other.”

“While practicing, we absorb each other’s pros and cons. When we finally go up on the stage, it feels like we became one.”

“In a family, we encounter happiness but also sadness, or good things but also bad things. However, let’s be together forever until the end.”

“Mom, you left this world before I have, but you gave me 8 sisters. I want to thank my mom and God.”

“I want to continue singing. As I get older, I want to be a singer that has an endless passion for music and stage performances.”

When it comes to describing Tiffany, TaeYeon said it best.

Tiffany’s jjang!

Tiffany on Girls' Generation

"Hi members! We've been racing for three years, and we're here now at a nice place in leisure, shooting. We've been through a lot, and in the future, there'll be hardships and fights, but that's family.. to be honest, right? So let's care for one another more, understand more, pray more, and love more. Why? That's the advantage of being us! We're all we have, and you're all I have. Thank you and I'm glad to have you... As now in the future, and forever more.. Girls' Generation till the end!"

"I often use this metaphor. All of the SNSD members are like raw materials like grains, good quality fruits, or sweets. They’re delicious by themselves. However, when you cook all those ingredients together, you create a cake or dessert called “SNSD”. In that moment, it’s much more delicious. I want to be able to supply our fans with a wonderful flavor."

“Thank you to God, my Father, for sending Seo Joohyun, Kim Hyoyeon, Kwon Yuri, Im Yoona, Choi Sooyoung, Jung Sooyeon, Lee Soonkyu, and Kim Taeyeon to this silly kid named Miyoung who was lonely, going through a hard time, hurt, foolish, full of scars and full of jealousy. Just like you guys have melted my heart… let’s be happy viruses that give energy and spread love through our songs!! I’m always praying that God will bless you guys… And whatever difficulty might come at us, let’s never let go~ Right now… In the future… Forever… And also until “the very end of me”… it’s Girls Generation!”

"We’ve been close. But during our long hiatus, we grew closer to each other, like sisters. You may

notice how close we are, like when we are on stage."

"I think nine of us are a family, so I really don't feel lonely anymore."

"They say its lucky number seven, but lucky number nine is engraved in my head. If I think of a lucky number, its nine."

"We have good chemistry and strong teamwork, and I’d have to say that is the firm foundation of our group."

Quotes by Tiffany Hwang.

“As much as you want to do it and as much as you put into it, that’s exactly how much it comes back to you.”

"God is not helping me just so that I can live well alone. I also want to be a good example to younger fans."

“I definitely think that it’s not a far away dream as long as it has that much passion and the passion gives you responsibility."

"Everybody goes through a tough time and I thought I wasn't ready or I would want it to stop, but now I'm thanking god for each and every obstacle because he is only trying to bring the best out in us. So I'll pray that he too will give you guys the wisdom and the strength to get through whatever is going on."

"I know that it wasn't by accident that there are nine of us and it was all destiny and meant to be. I hope our music can really be a good source to your life because music has always been mine."

"I chose to do this work that my parent was against. When you gain something, you lose something. I came here thinking, 'this or nothing' so it’s wrong to show that kind of weakness to my family."

"Everything will be good as long as you do your best. Because if you do, there will be no regrets."

"It’s as much passion as you have, just follow it, and you can be where you want to be. I mean, I am."

"When we won first place, we cried a lot. The moment when they announced we won first place, I had a brief flashback of our nine months preparation period. I felt so grateful for those who helped us. We wanted to tell them how thankful we were."

"My members give me strength when I am lonely and when something bad happens."

"I want to continue singing. As I get older, I want to be a singer that has an endless passion for music and stage performances."

“We weren’t afraid like, oh what if we lose to someone, it was we didn’t want to lose to ourselves.”

“There were many things that happened for us to get here, but we were able to finally get here with trust and love for each other.”

“While practicing, we absorb each other’s pros and cons. When we finally go up on the stage, it feels like we became one.”

"Since last year I have been thinking that I am very fortunate. Because last year when I debuted, I gave many thanks to god for letting me have eight new family members, and this year I am very pleased to spend my birthday together with everyone here. There is a letter I wrote to SNSD members on my birthday. I wanted to read out the same letter to fans. It was a very long letter but in short, thank you for becoming a part of our family. In a family, we encouter happiness but also sadness, or good things but also bad things, however, let’s be together forever until the end. I love you."