On the December 23 broadcast of SBS’s Dolsing Fourmen, Hyoyeon appeared as a guest alongside Kim Jun Hyun and Brian, delivering honest and humorous stories from her years in the industry.

Reflecting on her long career at SM Entertainment now spanning 26 years Hyoyeon joked about her role in Girls’ Generation. “I was in charge of main dancer and hip vibes,” she said, before adding with a laugh, “I was actually dissatisfied because I never got to be main vocalist.”

She continued, “ In the early days, I couldn’t ask for more vocal parts. It’s the fate of a large group you have to be considerate. Because of that, my singing didn’t improve and my confidence dropped. Later, when I finally felt I could speak up, I asked if I could ‘invade’ the vocal line a bit, but everyone completely ignored me.”

The conversation soon turned to dating restrictions during Girls’ Generation’s peak years. Hyoyeon admitted, “When they told us not to date, it just made me want to date more. If someone got caught dating and got scolded, I’d think, ‘Oh, so it’s actually possible.’”

Brian, a senior artist from SM, bluntly asked if that meant she dated a lot prompting Hyoyeon to share her most memorable secret romance.

“Back then, you absolutely couldn’t date. If you got caught, it was a huge deal,” she explained. “There was a guy I was exchanging notes with, and I wanted to meet him so badly. I stayed awake until 3 a.m., waiting for everyone to fall asleep, and then secretly met him at the Han River at 4 a.m.”

She laughed as she recalled the intense secrecy of those moments. “People say if someone’s wearing a bucket hat and a mask, they’re either a celebrity or cheating,” she joked. “So when we saw someone dressed like that approaching from the other side, we’d both avoid each other. That made it even more thrilling.”

Brian chimed in with his own advice, saying, “You should meet at church. Church parking lots are safe you won’t get caught.” He added that church was ideal because “rumors don’t spread, and people protect your privacy.”

To wrap up the segment, Hyoyeon was asked which Girls’ Generation member might get married first. Without hesitation, she replied, “I want it to be me. Suddenly, I really want to get married.”

Hyoyeon’s honest confession offered fans a rare glimpse into the secretive and emotionally charged reality of idol life one filled with strict rules, hidden notes, and unforgettable 4 a.m. dates by the Han River.

Sources: 네이트 뉴스