Sooyoung, who turns 30 next year, looked back on her 20s and discussed her lasting camaraderie with Girls’ Generation in a recent radio interview.

(S.M. Entertainment)

(S.M. Entertainment)

While she left former label S.M. Entertainment, under which she debuted with Girls’ Generation in 2007, Sooyoung still remains a part of the girl group that defined a generation in the K-pop music industry.

Discussing her debut as soloist with single “Winter Breath,” she said she depended on her bandmates for advice and encouragement.

The singer and actor said she let Tiffany, whom she considers her “vocal coach,” listen to the recording first. “Tiffany told me she liked the song and gave me suggestions for improvements.”

“I let the other members listen to it just a day before ‘Winter Breath’ was released on Dec. 20,” she said, adding she couldn’t muster up the confidence to showcase the song for the group until she felt it was complete.

On turning 30, Sooyoung said she was sorry her 20s had to end, explaining that in her 20s she received “so much love,” a large portion of which consisted of being a member of Girls’ Generation.

Sooyoung is holding the photo exhibition “A Dazzling Goodbye” the last two days of December as a way to commemorate the last decade.

The Girls’ Generation star is also active on the acting front. “Girl Cops,” in which she stars, is set for release early next year.

By Kim Arin (arin@heraldcorp.com)