Sunye, former member of disbanded Wonder Girls, is launching her solo career as a singer with the EP “Genuine” on Tuesday.

Described as “finding [her] own true self” as a solo artist, Sunye’s agency BlockBerry Creative relayed that the singer aimed to tell her own personal stories through the album.

“Genuine” consists of five songs: title track “Genuine,” lead track “Just A Dancer,” “Glass Heart,” “Now I Fly” and “Best Thing.” Sunye took part in writing the lyrics for all tracks except “Best Thing.”

“Glass Heart” was released in advance as a single last week.

Sunye shared her thoughts on “Genuine” via a Q. and A. text interview on Tuesday.

Q. What is the lead track “Just A Dancer” about? Why did you choose a dance track as the lead?


A. It’s a dance track, and the melody is very unique and has a cold synth sound, which represents my desire to be myself as I am, not as others think of me. I chose a dance genre because it was something I wanted to try.


You took part in writing four songs in the EP. What message did you try to convey?


Like the name “Genuine,” I wanted to talk about things I was unable to do before, so I put my thoughts and values into the lyrics.


Last year, you returned to the spotlight by appearing on tvN’s reality show “Mama the Idol” (2021-22). Why did you decide to be on the show, and how was the experience?

I wanted a chance to challenge myself again, because I think that itself is beautiful. I also thought I had to try it out because I myself am a mother, and I wanted to do what I could do with this identity. It was a wonderful time — I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget it. I was extremely grateful. Being with a group of moms helped me get through it.

Before dropping “Genuine,” other former Wonder Girls members, cast members from “Mama the Idol” and singer Jo Kwon rooted for you on social media. Whose support did you find to be most uplifting?

All my friends sent me so much support. Producer Park Jin-young [CEO of JYP Entertainment] also cheered for me, along with all the other moms from “Mama the Idol.” Most of all, however, I feel that my fans’ support was most inspiring.


What are your future plans as a solo artist? Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?

I’m going to try and perform on stage as much as I can. It’s taken me a while to return to the stage, but I want to thank my fans for waiting so patiently. I want to share the good energy that comes with my music with my fans, even if it’s not too fancy or extraordinary, because it’s genuine.

Wonder Girls was one of Korea’s top girl groups in the late 2000s, sweeping the nation with its hit song “Tell Me” (2007). The group continued to see success with songs like “So Hot” (2008), “Nobody” (2008), “2 Different Tears” (2010) and “Be My Baby” (2011).

The group underwent a huge change after Sunye revealed in SBS’s variety show “Strong Heart” in 2011 that she was dating James Park, a Korean-Canadian missionary. The couple got married in 2013 and Sunye moved to Canada, eventually leaving Wonder Girls in 2015. At the time, it was considered highly unusual for a K-pop star to openly announce their dating life and especially marriage.

In late 2021, Sunye appeared on tvN’s “Mama the Idol” (2021-22), which assembled six female singers who were once popular in the K-pop scene but had to halt their careers due to childbirth and child care.

Sunye (Min Sun-ye)

Date of birth: Aug. 12, 1989
Zodiac sign: Leo
Birthplace: Jungnang District, eastern Seoul
Debut: February 2007 as a member of girl group Wonder Girls
Agency: BlockBerry Creative

Sunye debuted with Wonder Girls’ first EP “Irony” in February 2007. As the leader and main vocalist for the group, Sunye proved popular over the years with Wonder Girls’ hit songs like “Tell Me” (2007), “So Hot” (2008), “Nobody” (2008), “2 Different Tears” (2010) and “Be My Baby” (2011). After announcing that she was dating and eventually marrying her boyfriend, Sunye took a break from Wonder Girls' activities and ultimately left the group in 2015. She officially returned to the spotlight late last year for tvN’s “Mama the Idol” and dropped her first solo EP “Genuine” on Tuesday.

This information was confirmed by BlockBerry Creative on July 26, 2022.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]