K-pop group Wonder Girls disbands after 10 yrs

January 26, 2017

SEOUL, Jan. 26 (Yonhap) — South Korean girl group Wonder Girls has officially disbanded, its management agency announced Thursday.

JYP Entertainment said the members of the K-pop group decided to break up after being together for 10 years following a discussion with the agency’s executives.

The Seoul-based JYP said only two of the four members — Yubin and Hyerim — have renewed their contracts with the company and will continue their careers in music and acting. However, Yeeun and Sunmi will leave and pursue new paths.

JYP Entertainment said the group will release its final single on Feb. 10, which also falls on the 10-year anniversary of its debut, as a way of saying thanks to its fans.

The Wonder Girls enjoyed considerable popularity after starting off as a five-member group in 2007. When the group attained stardom in 2009, it flew to the U.S., seeking to make inroads into the world’s top pop market. With “Nobody,” Wonder Girls rose to No. 76 on Billboard’s single chart, but failed to make further gains.

The girl group underwent some changes in members and has maintained its current lineup of four members since 2015.

In this file photo taken on Dec. 17, 2015, Wonder Girls members Hyerim, Yubin, Sunmi and Yeeun (from L) pose for a photo at a local music show in Seoul.

In this file photo taken on Dec. 17, 2015, Wonder Girls members Hyerim, Yubin, Sunmi and Yeeun (from L) pose for a photo at a local music show in Seoul.