Sun Mi (or Mimi) is leaving Korean pop group Wonder Girls, at least temporarily, to continue her studies back in Korea. The 17-year-old will take an indefinite break after wrapping up the activities in the US by late February.
The Wonder Girls have spent the past year expanding their career in America (with decent success), but it’s apparent that Sun Mi couldn’t adapt well to the environment, with her tearful interview in late 2009 fresh in many fans’ mind.
It’s not shocking that the decision was made considering the fact that JYP Entertainment is not planning to halt their oversea activities anytime soon. And with the big plans in China etc. coming up, the girls will have to start all over again in other foreign places, which is probably too demanding for the teenager.
There’s also suggestions that Sun Mi was worried about her post-entertainment career without a college degree; she hasn’t finished high school to begin with.
The company is playing down the news that it’s a temporarily leave, but seeing that they have already lined up a new member, Hye-rim, to fill in the void… the chances of Sun Mi coming back don’t look that good. She might return as an entertainer at some point, but not likely as part of the group again imo.
Best wishes to Sun Mi regardless of what her future endeavour would be; best of luck to the new member and the rest of the Wonder Girls.
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Oh no, I started to like her even more, is she so young. I think it’s a good idea to come back to Korea and finish her studies. I think they aren’t going to make it in Amerika, they should go/come back :D.. love your blog.
Yeah I’m pretty sure this group is finished, they just don’t have the right image for America, S.E.S or FINKL would of been better choices back in their days.
sorry to see her leaving, but i understand the difficulties. it must be hard to work at a young age, and its worst to work overseas, staying away from family and friends. good luck sun mi, will support you always! hwaiting!!!
im worried for wonder girls too. im not sure how successful she is in america, the blogs are exaggerating sometimes about their success but i don’t see the real us shows like mtv talking about them, so i have doubts on that. their popularity in korea may have down a bit too, girls generation is the news maker, and others like kara, beg, 2ne1 are all rising up. its not good news for wonder girls.
I never realised the Wonder Girls were so young! That’s a very grown up decision for Sun Mi to choose her studies over staying in the group.
What shocked me the most when I read the first paragraph was that she was 17…
That’s sad news, but studying is important too!
I’m surprised that some of you folks didn’t realise how young she is. There are many teenage pop idols in Korea, some are just 14 or 15.
It’s a tough decision to make, and a mature one indeed.
As for the Wonder Girls… I’m not really sure how popular they are in the US. As kyon mentioned the Asian media/bloggers are pretty hyped about the girls, but some of you (from US/Canada) should have a better idea of the actual situation.
Hope that it’s a valuable experience for the girls (I’m pretty sure it is) regardless of the success. Life is not just about winning after all… the journey matters.
OMG!!
it was very shock!! i don’t want she leave this group !! wonder girls without sunmi is not perfect !! i know not just me is sad to look sunmi leaves this group…so hee is the most i like, second is sunmi and the rest…wonder girls group is the most i love in k-pop world..first i know them as…sun ye, eun yee…yoo bin…so hee, sun mi…after this…how could i have to change sun mi name to other person name? i love wonderbang couple too…what will happen to rimi? nothing?! meaningless? but, whatever her decision we’ll respect…sun mi unni,wherever or whoever you are…you’re the best for us…we will pray for you…hope you will success and we not ever to forget you…saranghae~
I’m so sorry that Sun mi auni left group.Please coe back.
SUN MI!!! i’m not actually a fan of you but i love you loads more than hyerim…. You’re so damn much cuter!!! wondergirls isnt wondergirls without you!
hola a todas de wonder girsl como eztaran aya nooo son laz mejores cantantes como zifuera ke vinieran a peru las adoro atodas
ola a todas como eztaran aya noooooo son laz mejores cantantes de china , laz adoro.
sohee love you loadz more than hyerim alovioooooooooooo a sohee y a loadz love love love
why you leaves Wondergirls???i’m so sad
hello,Mimi I am genee in Malaysia nice to meet you
OMG Sun Mi is The Best !! VERY SAD u leave Wonder GurlZ =(
i like sunmi n gusy wonder girl