Girls' Generation member Yuri (left) and singer Lee Hyori. [Herald Muse]
Girls' Generation member Yuri (left) and singer Lee Hyori. [Herald Muse]

Girls' Generation member Yuri has drawn attention for her playful response to claims that she has been copying fellow singer Lee Hyori.

According to JTBC's variety program "Yeonae Jeonjaeng," a dating show, Yuri appeared as a special MC on Monday alongside sunbae singers Lee Hyori and Kim Hee-chul.

During the broadcast, Kim Hee-chul raised the topic, saying, "People often say that Yuri is copying Lee Hyori."

Yuri relayed what others had been saying: "So many people bring it up. They say I copied her by doing yoga, moving to Jeju Island and doing volunteer work with stray dogs."

Yuri has in fact been doing yoga and volunteering at a stray dog shelter since relocating to Jeju Island.

Lee Hyori then asked playfully, "So why are you copying me?" Yuri shot back: "Who in Korea isn't copying Hyori unnie? How could anyone in this country not follow her?"

Lee Hyori conceded the point, saying, "Actually, Yuri started doing yoga before I did — you could say she's the original."

The conversation then turned to the name of Yuri's YouTube channel, "Hyorisu" — a portmanteau of the first syllables of the names of three Girls' Generation members: Hyoyeon, Sooyoung and Yuri.

Yuri said candidly, "I borrowed unnie's name a little."

Lee Hyori said she is startled every time she sees the channel's thumbnails. "When 'Hyori' pops up, I do a double take," she said, before joking, "Shouldn't you at least give me a share?"

Yuri fired back with a laugh: "You need the 'i' to complete 'Lee Hyorisu.' If unnie joins too, wouldn't that make it the full package?"


jshan@heraldcorp.com