#JessicaJung: Idol Opens Up About SNSD Girls' Generation, Aging, & Being Alone

In September last year, news of Jessica Jung (제시카정) being abruptly booted from SM Entertainment’s SNSD Girls’ Generation shook the world of entertainment. The initial news apparently came from Jessica herself because she reportedly updated her Weibo account (China-based social media platform) with an alarming post which read:

I was excited about our upcoming fan events only to shockingly be informed by my company and 8 others that as of today, I’m no longer a member. I’m devastated – my priority and love is to serve as a member of GG, but for no justifiable reason, I am being forced out.

Jessica later released an official statement to clarify that she was given a one-sided notice to leave the group and that she was been excluded from following SNSD Girls’ Generation’s scheduled activities. She also said that she received great pain and cannot hide her sadness when she was asked by SM Entertainment and her fellow members, whom she has spent 15 years of her life with, to leave.

But a lot has changed for the idol since then, as she was spotted out and about with rumoured boyfriend Tyler Kwon, getting studio time with Jermaine Jackson aka Michael Jackson’s brother, and also promoting solo for her fashion brand “BLANC & ECLARE“.

In the latest pictorial shoot as well as lengthy interview with Marie Claire Korea, the former idol turned fashionista CEO Jessica Jung opened up about SNSD Girls’ Generation and being alone, amongst other things. For the first time in awhile, she handled the photoshoot without personal managers and staff members, and sat through an in depth chat of sorts.

However, as this is the star’s first lengthy interview after leaving the group, it was said that she displayed cautious manners when beginning the interview.

First and foremost, she spoke about how her life has been ceaselessly busy with “BLANC & ECLARE”:

“BLANC & ELCARE” is launching a new denim line for this season. Demin was definitely not an easy field. I tried to consider it in consumers’ perspective who will actually be wearing the demin pants. Worked on a skinny denim pants that will go well with Asians, by considering overall length as well as low rise length. You will be able to meet “BLANC & ECLARE” in Hong Kong and China’s Lane Crawford shopping malls. As for Korea, I have received some proposals and will soon open stores in malls as well. Everything is new. Even more so when I see my sketches being completed into products, those products are then arranged in stores, and people buy them. But sometimes, some people think that I am responsible for this brand all alone. In order of complete one product, it requires ideas and efforts from all members of my team. Such titles like “president” and “CEO” can be awkward and burdensome too. I sometimes feel sorry for others’ efforts being overshadowed just because of my name.

Following the above reveal, Jessica went on to unveil some truths and misunderstandings throughout the definite changes in her recent career.

She commented:

Honestly, I am fairly afraid of interviews. Sometimes the reports published differently from what I actually said, which causes misunderstandings as well. But that does not mean I can clarify things every single time it happens. To look at the bigger picture, I thought being frugal with my words is better than speaking. At times, I feel like I am listening to all the criticisms in the world. It would be a lie if I say that I’m okay even during those times. But nowadays, I feel like I have become more neutral regarding those issues. I try hard to become like that. I mean I do look a little mean. Maybe it’s because of how I look (laugh).

Jessica mentioned that her family has been the energy and support during her difficult times. Just recently, she and her family, including her younger sister, Krystal of f(x), enjoyed a long deserved family trip.

According to Jessica, this was their first family trip since her debut, as she said:

Everything is very different from when I was in Girls’ Generation. First of all, I have more freedom. It was good spending time with other members, but as I am promoting alone, I can now use my time more freely. To formally study fashion and design, I am planning to enter a school as well.. though I haven’t decided on an exact timeline. Right now, I am studying hard on my own. Whatever it is, if you endure it, then good times will surely come. Just by looking at how enduring difficult times have resulted more happy times in my life today.

In addition to her freedom, Jessica stated:

If I were still a member of Girls’ Generation, I would not be able to do a photo-shoot like today. Idol groups must always be happy, nice, clear, and bright. But I am already 27, I cannot remain as a happy girl forever. It is possible that some who see this pictorial could comment, “She’s showing more skin now that she left Girls’ Generation.” But the truth is, I am no longer a girl. I feel like it is a good thing to show the matured side of Jessica as well. Since debuting in 19 and promoting until 25, I felt trapped and stifling due to various restrictions. Now, I can decide everything on my own. It was not bad to come to the studio for a photo-shoot on my own.

Having said all of the above, more importantly, one must be wondering how she’s coping with being alone. To which Jessica gladly obliged to answer as she reflected on the pros and cons of promoting in the group and also, aging.

To which she said:

I ponder a lot about myself these days. There are times when I am anxious just by thinking that I will be in my 30s in just few years time. I am not too sure what gives me the impatience. But I do think that I will live for myself not for anyone else from now on. Also, because I am alone now, I will have to fill in my flaws that the members have been filling in for me. I am trying hard to talk to people who I see for the first time so that people can be more comfortable around me. It seems like many feel that I have a wall. It is difficult for me to approach people who are not too close to me. So it has been difficult going to events and awards alone, because I have to approach and say hello first in order to establish acquaintances. I am trying to dismantle the wall in my personality little by little.

She might not be a member of SM Entertainment’s SNSD Girls’ Generation anymore, but as a rising fashion icon, we have no doubt that Jessica Jung is certainly going places. And this won’t be the last that we’ll be hearing from her, that’s for sure ;)

Meanwhile, check out more stunning and stylish shots of Jessica from her Marie Claire Korea shoot in the full gallery below: