Sunye

Min Sun-ye (born August 12, 1989), known professionally as Sunye, is a South Korean singer and missionary known for her work as a former leader and main vocalist of girl group Wonder Girls.[1] In early 2013, following her marriage, she became an inactive member of the Wonder Girls[2] and officially departed from the group in July 2015.[3]

In this Korean name, the family name is Min.
Sunye
Sunye in 2012
Born
Min Sun-ye

(1989-08-12) August 12, 1989
Seoul, South Korea
Other namesSun
Occupations
  • Singer
  • missionary
Spouse
James Park
​
(m. 2013)​
Children3
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • piano
Years active2007–2013
2018–present
Labels
Formerly of
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationMin Seon-ye
McCune–ReischauerMin Sŏn-ye
WebsiteOfficial website

Sunye returned to the entertainment industry in August 2018, signing with the company Polaris Entertainment. Sunye made her official solo debut with the EP Genuine on July 26, 2022, after signing with Blockberry Creative, a subsidiary of Polaris Entertainment, in February 2022.

Biography

Sunye was born on August 12, 1989, in Seoul.[4] She attended Korea Arts High School and Dongguk University. In 2001, Sunye was discovered by JYP Entertainment during Park Jin-young's "99% Challenge" project, where she sang and danced. She then trained at JYP Entertainment until she debuted in the Wonder Girls in 2007. Sunye was one of the longest serving trainees at JYP Entertainment, along with Jo Kwon of 2AM and Min of Miss A.[5]

Career

Wonder Girls
Main article: Wonder Girls

In 2006, Sunye was revealed as the 1st member of Wonder Girls as the leader and main vocalist. The group, created and managed by JYP Entertainment, released their debut single, "Irony," in 2007.[6] On January 26, 2013, JYP Entertainment confirmed that Sunye would stop her official promotions with the Wonder Girls just before marrying James Park, her Korean-Canadian fiancé. Following the news, the agency reassured fans that the group was not disbanding and that Sunye was not retiring her position as a member of the group regardless of her inactive status.[1][7][8][9][10]

In December 2014, Sunye stated in an interview with Joongang Ilbo's US branch at a non-profit church concert that she would continue missionary work; this was reported in the press as her leaving the Wonder Girls and the entertainment industry.[11] This was dismissed by JYPE as a misunderstanding, however, in July 2015, Sunye officially confirmed her departure from the group.[12][13]

Singing career
Sunye in 2008.

Sunye has contributed her vocals on the tracks of various Korean artists, including Mighty Mouth's "Energy" and Park Jin-young's "Afternoon Separation." She recorded the single "Maybe" for the soundtrack of the popular KBS Korean drama, Dream High.[14] In November 2010, Sunye recorded "This Christmas" with her JYP labelmates as the title track for the debut of JYP Nation with a subsequent music video released on December 1, 2010.[15]

In addition to recording collaborations, Sunye has also performed with other artists on stage, including "Stand Up for Love" with Davichi and Taeyeon on SBS Gayo Daejeon in 2008.[16] In December 2008, she performed "Buttons" with Taeyeon, Gyuri, and Ga-in on KBS Music Bank.[17] Sunye and her bandmate Park Ye-eun collaborated with Jo Kwon and Park Jin-young to perform "That's What Friends Are For" on the KBS program Yoon Dohyun's Love Letter. On SBS Inkigayo's 500th Episode, Sunye and Jo Kwon sang the 2AM single "This Song" as a duet.[18]

On August 8, 2018, it was announced that Sunye had signed with Polaris Entertainment and would be making her return to the entertainment industry after her long hiatus.[19]

In 2021, the teaser for reality show Mama the Idol was released with Sunye confirmed as one of the cast members. On December 10, 2021, the first episode of the show aired on tvN. On the January 14 broadcast, members competed for the position of main vocalist which Sunye ultimately won. On January 28, Mamadol then released their debut digital single "Mama The Idol".

In February 2022, Sunye signed a contract with Blockberry Creative.[20] On July 12, 2022, Blockberry Creative announced Sunye's first mini album Genuine, which was released on July 26. It features the lead singles "Glass Heart" and "Just A Dancer"; "Glass Heart" was pre-released on July 19.[21]

On August 28, 2022, Sunye released "My Regards", a collaboration with Jo Kwon.[22]

On June 29, 2023, Sunye announced through her social media account that she had terminated her contract with Blockberry Creative.[23]

Philanthropy

Along with the other Wonder Girls members, Sunye often makes charitable donations to various charities, hospitals, and orphanages around Korea.[24] In September 2010, she made a visit to an elderly man who had secluded himself in the mountains after being a victim to many cases of fraud. According to the producer that followed her, "Sunye prepared clothes, shoes, a radio, food, and various other presents for the man. He hasn't been able to wash in a while so there was a very bad stench coming from him but Sunye paid no attention to it and held his hands tightly, asking him to live a long life. She also prayed for his good health."[25]

In May 2011, Sunye went on a week-long volunteer mission to Haiti, where she cared for children in an orphanage and treated victims of cholera.[26]

On October 16, 2012, Sunye was a guest speaker at George Washington University, where she presented a lecture about K-Pop, "An Idol Star's Illusions and Responsibility."[27][28][29] The Korean Cultural Center at the South Korean embassy organized and sponsored the event.[27][28][29]

On March 18, 2014, Sunye announced she and her husband would leave for Haiti in July, where they would live for five years to continue doing missionary work.[30] On January 28, 2018, Sunye announced that she had left Haiti after only two and a half years. She explained that she had committed to the missionary work prior to her pregnancy and that she left due to concerns over the health of her child, such as lack of clean water, extreme temperatures, and public safety concerns.[31][32]

Personal life

Sunye was raised by her grandparents because her mother died when Sunye was a child and her father suffered from a health condition that kept him bedridden.[33] In the fall of 2007, prior to the Wonder Girls' promotions for their single "Tell Me," Sunye's grandfather died. In October 2009, her father was rushed to the intensive care unit after his condition turned for the worse. She took the first flight from New York, where she resided at the time, to South Korea, skipping out on numerous promotional events to be with her father.[34] On June 23, 2010, Sunye's father died due to a chronic illness he had been suffering from for over 20 years.[35]

In 2013, Sunye married James Park. She gave birth to her first daughter, Eun-yoo (Hailey), on October 16, 2013.[36][37][38] On April 22, 2016, she gave birth to her second daughter, Ha-jin (Elisha).[39] On January 30, 2019, she gave birth to her third daughter, Yoo-jin (Madison).[40]

Sunye is a Christian.[41][42]

Discography
Main article: Wonder Girls discography

Albums
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[43]
Genuine 69

Singles
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
[44]
"일월지가" 2007 — Conspiracy in the Court OST
"Maybe"[45] 2011 10 Dream High OST Part 2 (드림하이)
"The Sound of Love"[46] 2012 50 Feast of the Gods OST
"Come to Me"[47] 62 Ohlala Couple OST
"I Love You" 2016 — United Korea 4 the World
"Password 486" (비밀번호 486)
(with Doyeon)		 2018 — King of Mask Singer Episode 165
"First Page" (첫 페이지)
(with Jo Kwon)		 2020 —[lower-alpha 1] Non-album singles
"Separation in the Daytime" (대낮에 한 이별)
(with Im Seulong)[49]		 2022 58
"Love, ing" (열애중) —[lower-alpha 2]
"Glass Heart" —[lower-alpha 3] Genuine
"Just a Dancer" —
"Greetings" (안부)
(with Jo Kwon)		 139 Non-album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Collaborations
Year Title Other artist(s)
2007 "Between (사이)" 8eight & Ye Eun & Pdogg
"대낮에 한 이별" Park Jin Young
2008 "Energy" Mighty Mouth
"Cry With Us" Various Artists
"I Love Asia"
2010 "This Christmas" JYP Nation

Filmography

Variety show
Year Title Role Notes
2007–2008 Show! Music Core Host along with Sohee & Big Bang T.O.P
2011 Music Bank Host along with Sohee & Tim
2018 Strangers Cast member
2018 King of Mask Singer Contestant Episodes 165–166
2021 Mama The Idol Cast Member [52]

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2010 The Last Godfather Herself Cameo
2012 The Wonder Girls Herself

Theater
Year English title Korean title Role Ref.
2022 Luth 루쓰 Ruth [53]

Tours

Concert participation

Awards and nominations
See also: List of awards and nominations received by Wonder Girls
Year Award Category Result
2011 Mnet Media Awards Most Charming Lady[54] Nominated
2013 5th Shorty Awards Best Singer in Social Media Nominated

Notes
  1. "First Page" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked 200 position on the Gaon Download Chart.[48]
  2. "Love, ing" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked 71 position on the Gaon Download Chart.[50]
  3. "Glass Heart" did not enter Circle Digital Chart, but peaked 90 position on the Circle Download Chart.[51]

References
  1. JYP "선예, 원더걸스 탈퇴 아냐..여전히 소속 멤버". Korea Daily (in Korean). 10 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  2. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0002366475
  3. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0000497462
  4. Mark Russell (29 April 2014). K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. Tuttle Publishing. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-4629-1411-1.
  5. "Sunye longest serving trainee of JYP". Wonder Girls Wordpress. 16 October 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  6. 원더걸스, 첫 쇼케이스서 '열정의 신고식' (in Korean). My Daily. 13 February 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  7. "Sun to halt promotions with Wonder Girls after wedding press conference". AllKPop. 19 January 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  8. '아이티行' 선예..JYP "원걸 탈퇴·해체? 모두 아냐". 18 March 2014. Naver News. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  9. "JYP Says Sunye Isn't Leaving Wonder Girls and Wonder Girls Isn't Disbanding". 18 March 2014. Mwave. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  10. 원더걸스 멤버 선예 "가수에 대한 공허감 컸다". Sports Donga (in Korean). Naver. December 10, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  11. "'Sun Ye releases official statement of retiring". KoreaBoo. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  12. "[BREAKING] Sunye and Sohee Officially Announce Withdrawal from Wonder Girls". 20 July 2015.
  13. "'JYPE Confirms Sun Ye is not retiring". Soompi. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  14. "Listen to Sun Ye's "Maybe" for Dream High OST Part 2'". AllKPop. 8 January 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
  15. "JYP Nation releases 'This Christmas'". AllKPop. 30 November 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  16. "SBS Gayo Daejeon – Taeyeon, Sun Ye and Davichi'". AllKPop. 29 December 2008. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  17. "The Korean PussyCats are coming". AllKPop. 24 December 2008. Archived from the original on 9 March 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  18. "'Sun Ye and Jo Kwon To Duet on Inkigayo's 500th Episode'". Wonder Girls Wonderland. 5 September 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  19. 레이디스 코드 소정, 4년 만에 첫 솔로 출격[단독] 원더걸스 출신 선예, 연예계 복귀...새 소속사 찾았다 (in Korean). Naver.
  20. Kang Da-yoon (February 17, 2022). "선예, 블록베리크리에이티브와 전속계약 "음악으로 위로와 힘 드릴 것" [공식]" [Sunye, exclusive contract with Blockberry Creative "I will give you comfort and strength through music" [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved February 17, 2022 – via Naver.
  21. Kim Myung-mi (July 13, 2022). "선예, 26일 첫 솔로앨범 'Genuine' 발매..금발 파격 변신" [Sunye releases her first solo album 'Genuine' on the 26th..Blonde transformation] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved July 13, 2022 – via Naver.
  22. Park, Sang-hoo (August 25, 2022). "조권·선예, 28일 '안부' 리메이크 발표… 절친 시너지 기대" [Jo Kwon and Sunye to announce the remake of 'Hello' on the 28th... Best friend synergy] (in Korean). JTBC. Retrieved August 28, 2022 – via Naver.
  23. Oh, Seung-hyun (June 29, 2023). "'이달소' 떠난 블록베리, 선예와도 계약 종료...선예 "감사한 지난 시간들"" [After Loona departure, Blockberry's contract with Sunye ended...Sunye "Thank you for the past times"] (in Korean). X-ports News. Retrieved June 30, 2023 – via Naver.
  24. "The Wonder Girls secretly volunteered and donated for two years". Chika World. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  25. "Sunye visits a man in the mountains with presents". AllKPop. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  26. "'Wonder Girls' Sunye visits Haiti'". One Asiaa. 28 May 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  27. "Wonder Girls Sun Expresses her Thoughts on K-Pop at 'Riding the Korean Wave' Forum". ohkpop.com. October 17, 2012. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  28. "Wonder Girls Sun Speaks about K-Pop at George Washington University at 'Riding the Korean Wave' Forum". K-Popstarz.com. October 17, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  29. "Global Hallyu Forum: Riding the Korean Wave - Special Events". KoreanCulture.org. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  30. 원더걸스 선예 "5년간 아이티 선교 떠난다" (입장 전문). Nate (in Korean). 2014-03-18. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  31. "Sunye Shares Hardships Of Living Abroad In Haiti And Canada". Soompi. 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  32. '이방인' 선예 "캐나다 영주권 받는 날 눈물 흘렸다". Osen (in Korean). 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  33. "Sunye with the person she loves most". Allkpop. 10 October 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  34. "'Wonder Girls' Sunye's father passes away'". Allkpop. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  35. "'Sunye's father passes away'". Allkpop. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  36. Sunye (Min Seonye) [@SPmission] (16 October 2013). 많은분들의 기도와 응원덕분에 예쁜딸 홈벌쓰로 8시간만에 순산했습니다^^ 탄생축하선물도 정말정말 감사드려요...!!! 건강히 잘 키우겠습니다^^ (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  37. MJ Kwak (4 December 2013). "Wonder Girls member Sunye and husband James Park". Aju Business Daily. Retrieved 2016-04-23.
  38. Hong, Grace Danbi (17 October 2013). "Sunye Reveals the Korean Name of her Baby". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 2016-04-23.
  39. Choi, Dong-su. "Sunye had second baby". Retrieved 2016-04-23.
  40. "선예, 30일 셋째딸 출산 "당분간 산후조리·활동복귀 NO" [전문]". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). January 31, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  41. AsiaNews.it. "Korean teen idol drops music to be a missionary in Haiti". www.asianews.it. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  42. Bizwire, Korea (11 December 2014). "Sunye, Wonder Girls Member-turned-missionary, Announces Retirement". Be Korea-savvy. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  43. "Circle Album Chart – Week 31, 2022". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  44. "Separation in the Daytime". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  45. "Gaon Chart 2011".
  46. "Gaon Chart 2012".
  47. "Gaon Chart 2012".
  48. 2020년 48주차 Download Chart.
  49. Kim Ji-soo (January 28, 2022). "박진영 '대낮에 한 이별', 15년 만에 리메이크…선예·임슬옹 듀엣" [Park Jin-young's 'Goodbye in broad daylight' remake after 15 years... Sunye and Im Seulong duet] (in Korean). The Fact. Retrieved January 29, 2022 – via Naver.
  50. 2022년 10주차 Download Chart.
  51. "Download Chart: 2022 Week 30".
  52. Kang Da-yun (November 18, 2021). "원더걸스 출신' 선예, '엄마는 아이돌'로 3년 만에 방송 복귀 [공식]" ['Wonder Girls' Sunye returns to broadcasting after 3 years with 'Mother is an Idol' [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved November 18, 2021 – via Naver.
  53. Choi Jeong-ah (November 1, 2022). "선예, 성경 바탕 뮤지컬 '루쓰' 출연…당찬 여성 모습 그린다" [Sunye to appear in the bible-based musical 'Luth'... Draw a bold woman] (in Korean). Sports World. Retrieved November 1, 2022 – via Naver.
  54. Media Awards 2011 nominees has just been released. Korean Entspy. September 28, 2011.
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