Girls' Generation's YoonA has candidly discussed the challenges of being the group's center as she marks her 18th year since debut.

On December 25, Girls' Generation member Hyoyeon's YouTube channel 'Hyo's Level Up' released a video titled "On Christmas, with Girls' Generation" (original Korean title: "Girls' Generation Getting Drunk on Christmas"). YoonA reflected, "2024 was a sabbatical year for me. Out of my 18 years of activity, it was one of the very few times I had a year of rest."

In this new episode, YoonA delved into her experiences as the group's center, admitting, "During Girls' Generation's 'I GOT A BOY' promotions, the mental burden I felt was at its heaviest." She continued, "There’s a sense of pride that comes with being the center, and I had this internal pressure of, 'I have to do well.' I kept thinking, 'I mustn’t be a hindrance to the team,' and that weighed on me a lot."

During this conversation, YoonA also revealed, "I think I always feel a sense of pressure, especially in the early stages of any project. I often feel like I go through an adjustment period for my character at the beginning of a production. Until I feel like it’s fully 'stuck' to me, I tend to worry and check myself constantly."

YoonA further shared, "In the chorus of 'I GOT A BOY,' Hyoyeon and I had to alternate parts. To match Hyoyeon’s level of skill, I pushed myself to the limit and worked as hard as I possibly could."

In related news, YoonA also revealed the reason behind her habit of calling Sooyoung "unnie" despite being the same age.

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