Sooyoung, Seohyun, and Tiffany: What's next?

In the wake of the news that Tiffany, Seohyun, and Sooyoung have chosen not to renew their contracts with SM Entertainment, netizens all over the world have been shook with the reality that Girls' Generation will no longer be the same! However, the biggest question remains unanswered: What are Tiffany, Seohyun, and Sooyoung going to do now?

SM Japan has confirmed the following for us:

1) SNSD will not return as a full group.
2) Taeyeon, Yoona, Hyoyeon, Yuri, and Sunny reportedly re-signed with SM Entertainment while Sooyoung, Seohyun,and Tiffany did not re-sign after a long period of discussion.
3) Tiffany wants to study abroad and make her advancement overseas.
4) Seohyun and Sooyoung want to focus on acting in musicals, dramas, and movies. Because of their future goals, they decided not to re-sign.

So, what exactly will these lovely ladies be doing once they are free of their contracts with SM? Well, no one is sure exactly beyond the facts we have above. However, because Tiffany would like to go abroad to work on her acting career, it would be an advantageous move of her to go back to the United States to work since she has such a thriving connection to people everywhere.

 As Girls Generation's main networking personality, it seems like Tiffany is in a really good spot career-wise. Netizens have argued whether or not she should live under the radar or sign with a label and go the CL route in an attempt to integrate into mainstream American culture. I think it would be a good move for Tiffany to sign with Far East Movement's record label, Transparent Music, as a good way to appeal to Asian American masses who may already be familiar with her career. Tiffany has already done a collaboration with the group, and signing under their label would be a fresh start to her solo career overseas without SM's hand dictating her boundaries. However, there are also a number of opportunities for her to throw herself into acting programs at the many prestigious universities available in the US. The outcome of her solo career overseas will rely solely on her ability to succeed in a foreign demographic.

For Sooyoung and Seohyun, things get a little more complicated. The two do not have as far-reaching of a network like English-speaking Tiffany but do have the domestic recognition to begin anew as actresses. However, I do feel that it's a bit of a shame to only pursue acting when gifted with such incredible talents for musicals and dance performances. 

Seohyun, specifically, has garnered much attention online due to the shock of her not renewing her contract. As such a powerhouse vocalist, she shocked SONEs with her decision! However, many must also be aware that SM Entertainment has been incredibly nit-picky with their heavily image-conscious handling and management of Seohyun. From denying her roles to controlling her solo career, SME has kept a tight-rope on Seohyun. At one point she even stated that her vision of her solo career clashed with what SM had in store for her. Were she to switch and commit to another talent agency, she must prioritize the freedom to be creative and choose her own professional career goals. Perhaps a smaller company would do her justice.

Sooyoung, similarly, opted to go the same route as Seohyun. Sooyoung has a number of pursuits including family, acting, fashion, and charity, all of which are not conducive to a contract with SM Entertainment. In fact, a number of Sooyoung's plans are non-musical, proving that a contract with SME would be detrimental rather than helpful. Many netizens were least surprised by Sooyoung's decision to leave as she has always outwardly expressed her fantasy of marrying her boyfriend (by age 24 at that). 

Sooyoung's choice of leaving SM would catalyze her chances of getting more acting roles, as well as, open up a series of opportunities given she signs to a talent agency that supports her. Sooyoung, like Seohyun, would benefit from a smaller agency with more manpower to support a stronger, veteran idol, rather than focus on a brand-new rookie group from scratch. Whether the two focus on a solo career singing, an acting career, or a musical-oriented singing and acting career, is up in the air.

All-in-all, we are extremely sad to see the end of another era of Girls' Generation, but are excited for what's to come in the solo endeavors of these three members as well as the five that remain as active members of Girls' Generation! 

What do you want to see Tiffany, Sooyoung, and Seohyun accomplish? Where do you want to see them next? Discuss with your fellow AKP users below!

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