[Interview] Sunmi, "Never ever thought of giving up as a singer".. "Thank you Wonder Girls"

[devilsatin.livejournal.com]

After 3 years and 7 months you've returned to the entertainment world. What did you do during that period of time?

[Sunmi] For the first half of 2010, I returned to Pohang and took the High School GED test, preparing the fundamentals needed to entering University. After studying hard, I was admitted to Dongguk University School of Drama's 11th batch as a freshman. I also made friends with other university students and hung out a lot with them as well. During middle and high school, I wasn't able to spend much time in school so when I entered university, I was able to look at things objectively and also ponder about the things that insufficient. Right now I'm on a temporary absence from school.



Have you been to a meeting? (Meeting is like group dating with a group of single women and single guys organise a meeting, with the objective of finding a dating partner)

[Sunmi] Not even once. I have never heard suggesting that idea to me before. When I just started school my classmates and teachers
Because of the image I have on TV, when I just started school my classmates and teachers was behaving with discretion and they only felt that I was feminine. However, after they found out about my free and easy personality, even my male classmates think of me as their male friends. haha. Oh, and when my classmates got the news of my return as a solo artist, they sent many supportive messages, so I'm really thankful for that.


What was the reason for stopping as Wonder Girls, when Wonder Girls was at it's peak?

[Sunmi] I was 17/18 yrs old then. Wonder Girls was constantly running breathlessly then. All of a sudden, the dance and song that I liked so much, I just felt like a machine doing repetitive work. Despite accomplishing my dream of becoming a singer, I hated myself that was unable to be thankful nor be modest about it. So I thought that I had to take some time to look back on myself. Up till now, I'm thankful to the Wonder Girls members who have respected my decision. However, I never once thought of stopping being a singer completely. Also, full fledged training resumed in 2011. During that time I worked hard to make up for the parts that I was lacking in.


When it was made known that you are making a return, there was an explosive reaction. How do you feel about it?

[Sunmi] Actually, I was worried that about whether people would carry interest for "Solo Sunmi", instead of "Wonder Girls' Sunmi". But after the news was made known, there was a hot response so I'm really thankful. I also felt that I have a lot of responsibility.


When did the discussion on your Solo debut begin?

[Sunmi] It was in December last year when the idea of debuting as an solo artist was mentioned. Park Jinyoung PD said, that he has this idea in his head, so he picked me out and talked to me about debuting as an solo artist. After returning to full fledged training in 2011, I constantly sent videos of my dance and singing practices to Park Jinyoung PD, and it seemed like he liked that attitude. In March this year, Park Jinyoung PD said that he wrote a song and sent it to me saying, 'As long as you are ready, you can come out with this song'. The recording of the song and etc. begun in July. I'm also really thankful to Park Jinyoung PD for giving me so much concern this time.

From the teaser images of your solo debut song, '24hours is not enough', wearing a body suit showing a sexy image.

[Sunmi] During Wonder Girls we wasn't able to challenge the sexy concept fully as well. But this time around, the concept was not burdensome. I didn't think that it was too much because I'm just simply showing the sexiness of my age. Of course, as this is my first attempt at it, it felt unfamiliar at first but after thinking that it is just an addition on top of my current image, I felt at ease.


I was informed that you would be performing with your bare feet and bodysuit on stage.

[Sunmi] If I were to wear high heels together with my body suit, it would look too mature so I filmed the music video barefooted, henceforth it is planned the same on stage. Standing onstage with my barefeet, I thought that it would also give off the impression of a ballerina. Oh, there is a part when I lift my legs on against the male dancer, if I were to wear high heels, it seems like he could get hurt in the process, so I decided to be barefooted. haha.


The song '24hours is not enough' is already being compared with Park Jiyoon's 'Adult Ceremony' that was released back in year 2000.

[Sunmi] Being compared to senior, Park Jiyoon and words saying, '2013 Version Adult Ceremony' itself is a huge honor to me but it is also a burden. Because 'Adult Ceremony' was such a successful song. I recently watch senior, Park Jiyoon's 'Adult ceremony' performance, although there are similarities with '24hours is not enough' but I also discovered the differences. The similarities is that, they both are not a fully matured woman, despite being immature and pure there is a part where it is sexy. I think that there are many differences in these 2 songs, the song itself and the performance.


The reason behind the title, '24hours is not enough' and dance concept.

[Sunmi] Like, the is a song about a woman who properly falls in love after becoming an adult, and as she has that constantly desire to be with that guy, therefore the title was decided as '24hours is not enough'. The dance as a whole, there is a lot of waves and also booty pops. The point of the dance is that there is a slight possibility of it being sexual but I put an effort to control excessive expressions.




In relation with, '24hours is not enough', your plans from now on?

[Sunmi] First, on the 20th the music video of '24hours is not enough' will be released. From the 22nd to 25th continuously, I will take part in Mnet 'M Countdown', KBS 2TV 'Music Bank', MBC 'Show! Music Core', SBS 'Inkigayo'. On the 26th, the digital single will be released officially. As I want people to enjoy the performance and music together, in addition to the music video release, I decided to take part in music shows before the official release of the digital sing.


It has been almost 4 years since your last participation in a music show

[Sunmi] Recently, not even once, have I seen any singers that are promoting right now. I thought that I would have to adapt myself quickly. I was also worried that I might get nervous from having to perform in such a long while. This is my first time going solo, I feel like I'm restarting as a rookie again.


The feeling between debuting into the entertainment industry as an first generation member of Wonder Girls roughly 6 years ago and the announcement of your new song right now must be very different.

[Sunmi] I treasure the song and stage a lot more now. When I really like something earnestly, even when I have it in my hands no matter how much I like it it would turn dull. But if it were to be taken away, you would feel the weight of it's importance of it more. For someone who is restarting to become a singer again, that is exactly what I feel like right now.


Did your Wonder Girls colleagues give you a lot of support?

[Sunmi] Wonder Girls' Yubin, Yeeun, Sunye unnies gave me a lot of support and actually helped me a lot as well. Yeeun and Yubin unnie watched the basic dance choreography of '24hours is not enough' and gave advise on what else should be added to it. That's why the contemporary dance element was filled in. Yubin unnie not only helped in the flow & ideas for the music video but also the selecting of the costume. After showing the music video filming to Sohee, she said 'It's pretty and the song is good'. Hyelim as expected "the song is good".


There are also a lot of fans who are curious about whether or not you will return to Wonder Girls.

[Sunmi] It might sound like an obvious thing to say, but we(Wonder Girls) are really like family. The way we think about each other is very affectionate. As I am about to make a solo debut now, as it is this kind of situation, whether or not I will return to Wonder Girls it is incorrect to say, 'Yes' or 'No'. But if a good opportunity is found, I would still want to do it together as Wonder Girls.


Your future plans and resolutions

[Sunmi] It's been 3 years and 7 months since, in future given the opportunity I would like to meet my fans often continuously. Also I want to construct my very own color. Standing infront of the public after a long duration of absence, with time I would like to show the things that I have learnt during that period of absence, one by one, and I hope to live up to the expectations. Oh! With '24hours is not enough', just as much as '24hours is not enough, I hope to receive love and just as much as '24hours is not enough', I hope to be busy. haha



sunminions, sunminions 2, star.mt.co.kr, star.mt.co.kr 2

Comments

[girlsday.livejournal.com]

i've had this same hairdo in chartreuse for 15 years. :)

[lovelyxbeauty.livejournal.com]

that hairstyle is not a good look at all :/

[jcdhwg.livejournal.com]

Wishing her all the best, can't wait for the song & MV. Will this just be an on-line release or will there be an album as well?

OH AND CRYING @ "But if a good opportunity is found, I would still want to do it together as Wonder Girls."

[hellodee16.livejournal.com]

can't believe it's been 3 yrs!

it sucked that sunmi left wg but I'm glad she was able to take the break that she desperately needed. and it's great to see her back even as a solo. I hope she does well.
she's lucky to be in jype and not a company like... ccm.

[triplestacker.livejournal.com]

Why do people focus only on her hair, while ignoring her interview you? I look forward to her comeback up! I hope she is happy!

[spread.livejournal.com]

IKR, it's a basic style at that...so many other people have rocked that cut.
I don't get the big deal...

[akaich0u.livejournal.com]

I got Park Jiyoon vibes too.

Good luck, Gottsaseum!! Glad you're back.

[lysblack.livejournal.com]

ia about park jiyoon, i really got that feel.

people kept mentioning gain because of the tango, but i don't see it because jype acts, especially wg, have been performing tango numbers for so long.

[triplestacker.livejournal.com]

School was JYP's official reasons, but her answer, she says in this Interview it's clearer. School is a small reason. I think she did not adjust to the United States, she felt tired, was questioning her career, only 17 years old.

[lysblack.livejournal.com]

she didn't really leave the group for school, that was just the excuse jype gave to people because they wouldn't be happy with the truth.

[turdferguson.livejournal.com]

What was the reason for stopping as Wonder Girls, when Wonder Girls was at it's peak?

[Sunmi] I was 17/18 yrs old then. Wonder Girls was constantly running breathlessly then. All of a sudden, the dance and song that I liked so much, I just felt like a machine doing repetitive work. Despite accomplishing my dream of becoming a singer, I hated myself that was unable to be thankful nor be modest about it. So I thought that I had to take some time to look back on myself. Up till now, I'm thankful to the Wonder Girls members who have respected my decision. However, I never once thought of stopping being a singer completely. Also, full fledged training resumed in 2011. During that time I worked hard to make up for the parts that I was lacking in.

Read more at Omona They Didnt: http://omonatheydidnt.livejournal.com/11643892.html#ixzz2cN6LST5b

[lysblack.livejournal.com]

she looks gorgeous and this is a great interview, my princess grew up to be such a mature lady.

i really can't wait for the song.

[gotsasum.livejournal.com]

I am so glad she's coming back. I always had this idea that she would bc singing is her dream and who would give up their dream? (flashback to opening of wishing on a star) I hope she'll be getting more intvs and maybe appearances on radio too!

[bunica1990.livejournal.com]

that hairstyle....

[hpn88.livejournal.com]

people keep assuming things about her and I hope she gets to give more interviews and explain why she did what she did
also letting WG make these decisions the primary reason I still have some shred of respect for JYPE

[uguukawaii.livejournal.com]

i like that she was honest about the real reason she left

[sub-divided.livejournal.com]

Good interview, good answers.

[pineapple-soda.livejournal.com]

so happy she's coming back

[plantbottle.livejournal.com]

Am I the only one who thinks her hair is sexy

Besides that, I enjoyed reading this! It's nice to see her side of the story.

[neongoldtooth.livejournal.com]

I was never a big fan of Sunmi, but I'm pretty excited to see what her solo stuff is like.

[soramai.livejournal.com]

I hope the song is good!

[aleksu7.livejournal.com]

Great interview. I actually love her hair tbh. I think she looks gorgeous and much more mature that before. Jesus, almost 4 years already... times flies. She looks so good T.T and I'm feeling so old xD
I'm really excited. Good luck baby Mimi