UNPREDICTABLE. That's how the Wonder Girls describe themselves. And it's apt enough.
No one could have predicted that when they started out five years ago, they'd become the hottest ticket from South Korea, with hits like Tell Me, So Hot, Nobody and their latest, Two Different Tears.
Their popularity has hit such a high that their production company, JYP, has had to resort to taking action against other groups in the region to stop them from copying the Wonder Girls' sound and moves.
And in the United States, the English version of Nobody entered the Billboard Hot 100 late last year, earning the Wonder Girls the honour of being the first South Korean group to enter the chart. The song also topped the Billboard Year-End Hot Singles Sales 2009 list.
The quintet recently concluded a successful tour of North America, playing more than 20 dates in the United States and Canada.
And to think that a mere five years ago, these girls were, well, nobodies.
Wonder Girls performing a Don't Cha remix. (Photo courtesy Sony Ericsson)
Girl power all over again
"We think we're really lucky to have this opportunity to do what we want to do - to do something that we've been dreaming about for such a long time," said Ye-Eun, aka Yenny, over the phone from South Korea, where they were rehearsing for a series of upcoming shows, including Singfest, which happens on Aug 3 to 5 at Fort Canning Park. "We're having a great time. This is exactly what we've wanted to do."
She continued: "It is sometimes hard - physically and mentally - to do the things we have to do. Luckily, we have each other to lean on. We can look after each other and offer each other support. We're grateful for everything."
One of the keys to their success, she said, is probably the fact that the Wonder Girls haven't relied on any one formula.
"We always try to do things that no one else would think to do," she said. "We try not to be too predictable - like the retro stuff. Our first release, Tell Me, was based on the '80s sound. The next one was more hip-hop. And Nobody was more of the '60s sound."
"And going to America," chimed in Yubin. "No one else had ever thought of doing that at the time."
The Wonder Girls are feeling good, and they aren't feeling much pressure from competition in the form of similar Korean pop groups like 4 Minute (which, incidentally, features an ex-member of the Wonder Girls, Hyun-Ah).
"There are a lot of new artistes coming up in Korea and we do look them up, because we can learn from them," said Yenny.
"But we don't really think (of our success) in terms of being more famous," she added. "We're just focusing on the music. I don't think staying ahead of the rest is as important as making better music."
"I think it's more pressure for JY (Park Ji-Young), our producer, than us!" said Hye-rim. "I don't think it is a problem - maybe it's one of our more enjoyable problems."
More than anything, the Wonder Girls credit their fans for their continued success. "They're really sweet and nice," said Yenny, although she said they were once taken aback by a couple who had tattooed their names and autographs on their bodies.
"That was a little surprising."
No boys on the horizon - only crabs
Of course, we had to ask: Have any of the girls been proposed to by their hormonally-charged male fans?
"We've not encountered any! I guess maybe because we're on the road so much," said Yenny.
Yup, love is definitely not in the air ... yet. "We'd love to have boyfriends," Yenny added. "But since we're so busy now, we don't even think we can afford the time to see anyone because of our schedule.
"We're only in our early 20s, so we're not even thinking of getting married yet."
What does the future hold for the girls? According to Yenny, they "can't even think of that yet".
"But I think we'll be together for as long as we can," she said. "We love each other and I think we'll still be in touch with one another and supporting each other as the years go by, whether we'll be Wonder Women or not ... "
One thing they do know is that they'll probably be doing more of what they love.
"Sun is really interested in plays and musicals, so maybe she'll do that," said Yenny. "I like composing and writing songs. Sohee is interested in movies - she's appeared in movies before so maybe she'll do some more acting. Yubin is into fashion - she could be a fashion designer. And Hye-rim is into acting and hip-hop music."
"But now, we're just trying to focus on the present," added Hye-rim.
That means rehearsing for their upcoming shows. Like Singfest. And although they're excited about playing a full show this time (their previous appearances have all been showcases), as well as the prospect of meeting the other acts like Katy Perry and Kanye West ("There's an after party right?"), when it comes to Singapore, the girls have other things on their minds.
"Oh, we'd love to go to Universal Studios in Sentosa and spend all day there. We love rides and amusement parks," said Yenny. "And we love Singapore food! We love chilli crab. We miss it already!"
Singfest happens Aug 3 to 5 at Fort Canning Park. Ticket at $175 (one-day pass), $249 (two-day pass), $349 (three-day pass), or $499 for one-day party pass (for four people). Available from Sistic. OCBC credit card members enjoy 10 per cent discount.
Source: TODAYonline
Author: Christopher Toh