◆ Jiyoung said “20 years old? 20 years old!”Hello. I’m Jiyoung. I turned 20 years old this year!! I received many well wishes. I did not change but some changes did occur.
To be honest, I don’t know… I only turned 20 years old five months ago so I don’t know what to feel. Because there are no changes to my activities and my social life is built since I was young. I probably don’t feel any different because my surroundings did not change.
I didn’t do anything special when I turned 20 years old. Haha. I feel that everything is the same but I guess being an adult means having more responsibilities. Again, what were people’s attitudes toward me? In the past, they would treat me like a child but recently they have been saying “Even Jiyoung has become an adult~”
Of course, there may be big changes as I turn older but I will continue to live the same life that I have been living. But obviously, something is different right?

When you were 15 years old, you did what you were told. That was the correct thing to do. Now, there are more things to think about, you can express your own opinion and gain respect from others. How do I say this, there is no need for communication, just a “I can take care of it” kind of feeling. If you want the good things in life, you have to look for it yourself.
As I was surrounded by adults since young, I was exposed to the many behaviors. Sometimes I would think to myself, “I don’t like this person. I will definitely not become an adult like him.”.
This is what it means to become 20 years old. Certainly there is some meaning but it’s difficult to express it in words. I have always longed to become an adult so turning 20 years old meant a lot to me. This is very hard for me to explain in words!
Ah ah! There is certainly a feeling of freedom. I feel like I have been freed mentally. The changes of being 20 years old, growth, meaning… It’s really difficult… Although it’s difficult, it will be an interesting process.

And now, I’d rather be called “adult-like” than “cute”. I want to break free from the strong ‘youngest child’ image that people have of me. ^^

Jiyoung from KARA has definitely grown up.
Just recently, I came across an interview footage when I was 15 years old. At that time I recently debuted a month ago. I wanted to faint. I screamed, “Ah, what is this!” while watching. Hahaha. When asked about my good points, I exclaimed, “My eyes! Shall I give you a wink?”. As I watched myself, I thought, “What is this~ Why did I do such a thing?”. I told the unnies, “It’s my pleasure. Please cherish me”, it was super funny.
I said to myself, “I was a child after all” and was mortified at my behavior, (Kekeke) It was weird. I am still young but I thought, “I was such a child back then.”. I spoke bluntly, without thinking!!
That was the 15 year old Jiyoung. ^^

◆ A University Student’s Spring
I turned 20 years old and one of the changes was that I became a university student.
It is actually very embarrassing when I draw the attention of everyone as I step out of class. Frankly, I just want to go to school and make friends like any other ordinary student. But people may think I’m arrogant because I’m a celebrity. I want to hang out with friends like a normal student but I don’t want our outings to be exposed to the public. (T_T) I have now managed to remember all my friends’ names in class. ^^
I introduced myself during a lesson called Voice. Of course, I participated in class too. Through the self-introductions, I’ve come to know about the different experiences that my classmates went through. Some even cried. It was very interesting.
All those were things that I have never experienced. I thought it was great. There are so many different kinds of people in this world. I think it was great how they managed to bravely overcome their obstacles and look forward to the bright future.
At that time, others might think I’m cool because I’m a singer who gets to stand on a glamourous stage but I felt that “my friends have a cooler life than me.”.
I do not understand the everyday life that my friends go through. Sure, I have a social life too but I feel that I will be able to learn more if I hang out with friends. Actually, I debuted since I was 15 years old and never once had a part-time job, I wish to hear about my friends’ experiences.
As my turn approached, my heart started to pound. I had no idea what to say.
I started with how and when I debuted. And friends who heard my story told me that they thought I was a cool and awesome person. They told me to keep smiling. I was really thankful to my friends thereafter. I had a really great time.

Another thought creeped up, “Let’s find myself a new dream.”.
I forgot how to find a dream. With a busy working life, the girl called Jiyoung in KARA is now all grown up. And so I have realized that I was satisfied with my life that I didn’t give a thought about trying out new things.
When I heard of how my friends managed to accomplish what they wanted to do via their own strongwill, I thought, “Instead of relying on others, I should try to do things with my own assertions and opinions.”. I have yet to decide what is the goal of my “new dream” but for now I shall just try this out.
Of course, I need to grow more within KARA. Even though I have talked about wanting to act, I have yet to properly challenged this. I think I should work hard to polish my skills.
Well… It’s actually pretty confusing. Being 20 years old seems confusing. Like there’s another Jiyoung in me? I seem to be thinking a lot lately. I have been thinking a lot about myself.
Once in a while, I will think of things like “What am I doing?” or “Why am I thinking of this like an idiot?” and blame myself. But how should i say this, wouldn’t it be interesting if we can find the meaning ourselves?
It’s fun!! The 20 year old Jiyoung!
Winter and spring. Along with the changing seasons, Gyuri and Jiyoung welcomed their “new lives”. They welcomed it more eagerly than anyone else. The next two members to be featured in “KARA SAID” are Seungyeon and Nicole. I wonder what will their stories be like? To be revealed soon.