Jessica's interview for Marie Claire

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

A long time ago, Jessica stood in front of Marie Claire’s cameras for a photoshoot. Unlike before, when she would show up surrounded by a chaotic group of managers and staff, this time, she came to the studio all by herself. It was the day before her birthday, and fans who were close enough with her to just call her ‘Sica’ also showed up with a bundle of cupcakes and drinks for Jessica and the magazine staff. She seems to have gained a bit of weight recently and has been busy preparing a new collection for her own fashion brand, ‘Blanc & Eclare’.

This was her first interview after everything that went down, so she seemed more cautious with her answers, but you could tell by her gaze that she was now letting a lot of the past go and chasing a new dream.

“There is going to be a denim line this season for Blanc & Eclare. Denim is actually a very difficult field. I thought a lot about the perspective of the ones who will be wearing the product. I had to think about what specific length fits Asians better when designing the skinny denim pants. In Hong Kong and China, you can find Blanc & Eclare products at the Lane Crawford stores. In Korea, we are opening up popup stores, and I think we’ll soon start opening up actual stores in malls.”

Jessica has gone through a lot of changes lately. And with these changes, she has been at the end of many harsh words. Rather than spending the time to confirm what was truth and what were misunderstandings, she quietly spent her time expanding her fashion line to new fields, and began to face a world away from the stage. “To be honest, I’m very nervous doing interviews. There are times articles get released of things I didn’t mean, which leads to many misunderstandings. And it’s not like I can explain myself every single time that happens. When I look at the bigger picture, I think it’s better to be more picky with what you clear up than clearing everything up.”

“There are times when I feel like I’m receiving all the hate in the world. It would be a lie if I said that it wasn’t hard for me during those times. But I think my skin’s gotten thicker lately. I try a lot to become stronger. I kind of look a bit wicked. I think that’s why people hate me more.”

“Everything is fascinating to me. The drawings I sketch come to life as products, and it’s really interesting to see those products in display at stores and then get purchased by people. But some people are under this misconception that I am the only one in charge of this brand. The truth is that to get one product completed, the members who make up my team all have to come together with their ideas. I’m a bit embarrassed and burdened to hold the titles of ‘representative’ and ‘CEO’. There are times when I also feel sorry that because my name, other people’s efforts get ignored.”

The biggest strength for Jessica during her hard times has been her family. She recently went on vacation with her sister, mother, and father. It was the first time her entire family was able to go on vacation since her debut.

“Things are a lot different now compared to how it was when I was with SNSD. I really enjoyed the time I spent with the other members, but now that I’m by myself, I have a lot more time now. I am planning on going to school to seriously learn more about fashion design, but I haven’t decided on the exact timing for that yet. I’m just actively studying on my own for now. I realized that no matter what I go through, a more comfortable time soon comes. Even if I go through something very difficult, as more time passes, the happier I become.”

She’s also gotten a lot more freedom over her decisions. “If I was still a SNSD member, I wouldn’t have been able to do this shoot. Idol groups have to always be happy. They have to be kind, and pure, and bright. But I’m already 27 years old. I can’t forever remain a happy little girl. Someone might think after seeing these pictures, ‘Now that she’s out of SNSD, she’s taking off her clothes.’ But I’m not a little girl anymore. I think it’s okay for me to portray Jessica as a woman. Since I debuted when I was 19 years old, there are times all the restrictions and limitations can get irritating. Now, I can make all my own decisions. It wasn’t so bad deciding to come to this photoshoot all by myself.”

Jessica has decided to let go of all of her regrets in the past and all her frustrations of not being able to clear up the public’s misunderstandings about her. She’s instead spending each day to build up and anticipate for the road ahead of her. She wants to formally learn about fashion, and she wants to put out music that captures her voice’s charms.

“I have been thinking about myself a lot more lately. In a few years, I’ll be 30, and there are times that makes me anxious. I’m not sure why. But I think now, I have to live life for myself and not for anyone else. And now I’m alone, so my flaws that the other members used to fill up for me, I have to fill them up myself now. I have to be able to approach people I’ve met for the first time, and I have to try to make people feel more comfortable around me. I think when people see me, they think I’m like a wall. It’s hard for me to approach someone first if I’m not close with them. So it’s hard for me when I have to attend events all by myself. I have to be able to approach someone first before they can feel that they can approach me. I’m currently trying to tear that wall down.”

Come to think of it, the Jessica we know is an ‘ice princess’. She isn’t lively, she tends to hide away more. She also doesn’t like beating around the bush, she prefers to tell it to you in a way that’s easy to understand. So you can see how people can feel that she’s like a wall, and how people may misunderstand her. She’s overcome a lot of obstacles, and now, she’s focusing on the road ahead, and she’s living the dreams she’s had to push back all this time, and she’s living a joyful life continuously dreaming new dreams.

source: one hallyu 1

This is such a GREAT interview, especially the "I can’t forever remain a happy little girl."-part.

Comments

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

Keep moving forward Jessica

[byronsbitch.livejournal.com]

An actually interesting interview. Loved it. You do you Jessica, you made the right decision.

[drownanddive.livejournal.com]

This interview has made me an even bigger fan of Jessica. She's got her priorities in line and it makes me so happy. You do you, Jessica.

[mamamoos.livejournal.com]

yesssss

[sayuridoll.livejournal.com]

good for jessica, tbh.

speaking of her new line (why have accessories not come out yet!!!) does anyone actually own her sunglasses i was considering buying a pair

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

I own one pair (Seoul Black) and my sister has one too (Tokyo Tortoise). I also really want to get my hands on the Shanghai (Transparent) ones from her new collection! Both of us love them.

[sayuridoll.livejournal.com]

Would you consider it worth the money? I've never owned expensive glasses before.

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

Definitely. I own some other expensive glasses and Sica's are in no way inferior to those. I love the design and the quality is great.

[huanyia.livejournal.com]

Haha I was wondering if I should get some too but I needed to know whether the quality was worth the cost, so thanks :)

Still want that F.U.S.M. single tho

[faerypitta.livejournal.com]

She’s overcome a lot of obstacles, and now, she’s focusing on the road ahead, and she’s living the dreams she’s had to push back all this time, and she’s living a joyful life continuously dreaming new dreams.

You go Jessica, you go girl!

[timetobegin.livejournal.com]

It seems she was indeed tired of the idol lifestyle and I'm happy to read she's embraced not being in the group any longer. It seems to have done her much good.

[fritterish.livejournal.com]

This kind of interview should be done more often. Oh man, I'm just happy that she can do what she likes at this point and pursue her dreams.

I'm glad she's willing to talk about SNSD now like there's no bitterness anymore? I wonder if she's still in contact with any of the members.

[dokyungsoo.livejournal.com]

i'm so happy for her that she's doing her own thing, she's honestly such an inspiration.

[http://users.livejournal.com/___sasuka/]

aww

[l3luelillie.livejournal.com]

You go, girl ;)

[e-bone (from livejournal.com)]

*hears Pills and Potions playing ambiently in the distance*

[extraenchanted.livejournal.com]

i wasn't a fan of jessica when she was in snsd, i only started liking her shortly before she was kicked out of the group. reading this interview makes me like her more. i'm sincerely happy that she has more time now to do the things she enjoys, and that she's not letting the critics and haters get to her. she's grown a lot.

[ah-mui.livejournal.com]

I appreciate the way this interview/article was written. Marie Claire painted her in a very flattering light (independent of Jessica's own words).

[redgreendress.livejournal.com]

"I can’t forever remain a happy little girl. Someone might think after seeing these pictures, ‘Now that she’s out of SNSD, she’s taking off her clothes.’ But I’m not a little girl anymore. I think it’s okay for me to portray Jessica as a woman."

YES. You do whatever you want, Sica. Be free and fly away like the pigeon in that cheesy opening for the Boys MV.

[agentgoodnight.livejournal.com]

What a great interview, I'm impressed by how mature and thoughtful she is. I wasn't really a fan of her during snsd, but she's turning me into one now.

I'd be interested to know if some of the girls have reconciled then. With how she's talking about snsd here and how she previously made the comment about understanding other people's point of view more, maybe it's possible.

[princetabi.livejournal.com]

this was a great interview. Jessica seems like a pretty honest and straight forward person so I'm not surprised at some of the things she said. I'm happy she's moving on and even though I feel sorry for all the hate she gets, I'm glad she has more time for herself and can spend time with her family.

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

This was a great interview - thoughtful & honest as well as very mature on the SNSD issue.

[ohlookshiny.livejournal.com]

my admiration of her increased tenfold after reading this. i think she's grown so much as a person since the debacle last year. i wish her all the success in the world :').

[kalasunrise.livejournal.com]

She looks healthy and happy. Almost relaxed. She is a hard worker and I hope she conquers her dreams and endeavours.

[prlsb4swiine.livejournal.com]

Yep I got the same vibe too
I think being with her family helped a lot

[blubtrflynflats.livejournal.com]

You go, bb <3

I am so happy that she's willing to talk about these things and with such eloquence omg queen.

But I think now, I have to live life for myself and not for anyone else. And now I’m alone, so my flaws that the other members used to fill up for me, I have to fill them up myself now.

[yakuniku-8.livejournal.com]

Great interview! It would be nice to read honest interviews more often, without the staff and everything.

[kamoteatmani.livejournal.com]

omg T__T That interview and all the SNSD parts made me tear up a little. I used to be team OT9 but I think rn Jessica is so much better off. She sounds happy and independent and I hope she only gets better and better through her fashion school and brand.

[violoncelliste.livejournal.com]

i'm so happy for her

[lovejae23.livejournal.com]

Good for Jessica
Although her exit wasn't how she wanted it to be, it seems like everything is working out for her

[lydiasummer.livejournal.com]

just read the comments nb translated and damn those people are bitter.

[mentality34.livejournal.com]

nothing she says will ever appease them -.- they're always going to twist her words to justify their hatred of her. even the i-netz aren't any better. now they're all claiming that Jessica is just dissing SNSD and bullshitting because of course SNSD has control (unless you say that they voted on Jessica's removal, in that case they have no control at all!)

i'm just so tired of her being demonized in everything she does even tho nothing she does harms anyone in any way >_>

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

Knetizens hate Sica for taking a picture with her sister, so I'm not surprised. Most Inetizens aren't much better. ~.~

[sichyo.livejournal.com]

Aww that was such a great interview. I've always liked her interviews but in this one she sounds more mature and graceful than before.

I like what she said about SNSD too. There's no trace of bitterness, and look, she did say she enjoyed being with the members!!1!!! I still do hope Jessica and SN8D will all continue to do well and will be on friendly term again someday.

[cinnabun11.livejournal.com]

ugh this interview is so great. After hearing rehearsed words and overused phrases in all those idol interviews, it's so refreshing to hear jessica be able to speak her mind. And now that she's able to do that we see that she's so mature and graceful :') I did not expect her to talk about SNSD but it's bittersweet to see it
I hope we get to see more of her in the future but I'm so glad she can spend more time with her family now and be who she wants to be. This was so good for her

[citypolaroids.livejournal.com]

besides the eloquence of her words and the composure of her thoughts, i really like how unique this interview was. that it was clear these are jessica's answers and not the same monotonous templates that snsd members always give as idols, as artists under sm. it's refreshing to read, so i can't imagine how freeing it must have been for her to give. for once, i'm proud and happy for her not just as a fan, but as another woman in her 20s going through a similar journey of eternal self-doubt and endless soul-searching. i'm genuinely glad to see her grow so much as a person, to break down walls and boundaries within and around herself that she never dared to before. she's both a mirror and a light, a reflection and an inspiration. damn it i'm getting choked up.

[welljustguess.livejournal.com]

awwwwwww
i love the way she talks about her fellow members in a sweet way
so i think this means both sides already accepting the situation?
and yhe way she talks about growing mature, her independence, etc etc
you go sica

[kjc48.livejournal.com]

The article came off very fanfict-y or like a PR press release.

The part that I was most interested in:
“Everything is fascinating to me. The drawings I sketch come to life as products, and it’s really interesting to see those products in display at stores and then get purchased by people. But some people are under this misconception that I am the only one in charge of this brand. The truth is that to get one product completed, the members who make up my team all have to come together with their ideas. I’m a bit embarrassed and burdened to hold the titles of ‘representative’ and ‘CEO’. There are times when I also feel sorry that because my name, other people’s efforts get ignored.”

She had me rooting for her with those first few sentences, but then she did a 180. I can't take her seriously because of this. It's like she wants to be known as a designer~ but then goes around insisting that she's just a representative~ Obviously a brand is made up of more than 1 designer, Marc Joacobs isn't actually sitting around designing both his clothing line and accessory line, but there's a big difference between Head designer and Endorsement model. Is she trying to be Jessica Simpsons or Victoria Beckham?

[cruel-disorder.livejournal.com]

Love her <3

[lightframes.livejournal.com]

“To be honest, I’m very nervous doing interviews. There are times articles get released of things I didn’t mean, which leads to many misunderstandings. And it’s not like I can explain myself every single time that happens. When I look at the bigger picture, I think it’s better to be more picky with what you clear up than clearing everything up.”

Yeah, she can't really control how people are going to interpret what she's saying... some people are always going to see it negatively.

Great interview.

[anathema-switch.livejournal.com]

This is a great interview!