The Wonder Girls: Beautiful People 2011
By ALEX LITTLEFIELD
Imagine a supergroup led by an American Idol winner. Style them after a '60s girl group. In the
place of Ryan Seacrest (or Phil Spector), give them a 39-year-old producer and entertainment mogul named J.Y. Park. Make them all Korean, add some kick-ass choreography, and you've got the Wonder Girls.
The Wonder Girls' path to fame makes Kelly Clarkson's look like a cakewalk. The Girls were selected through a rigorous audition process presided over by J.Y. Park; by their estimates, over 40,000 girls tried out. Once Park made his selections the girls went straight into "the Academy," a divas' finishing school run by Park's label-slash-management company, JYP Entertainment. There, they practiced singing, dancing, and acting, and also took language classes -- first in Mandarin, so that they could better reach their growing fan base in China. Then, two years ago, the Girls started learning English.
"There were no other Asian artists who had really broken into the U.S. market," says Yenny, who at 21 is one of the group's older members (and who, like her bandmates Yubin, Sun, Sohee, and Lim, goes only by a semi-pseudonymous first name). "We thought maybe we could be the ones."
The Wonder Girls labored in obscurity for a little under three months. Then, in late June of 2009, they embarked on a national tour with the Jonas Brothers. It was a break-through, in a way -- and also a lesson in humility. The Girls -- who in Korea have their own five-season reality TV show -- suddenly found themselves relegated to the role of openers. But the Jonas tour helped to re-launch the group. That same year, their single "Nobody" landed them on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a first for a Korean act. And last year they embarked on their own U.S.-Canadian tour.
Eighteen-year-old Lim, the group's youngest member, beams when she remembers it. "We had opening guests," squeals the mega-star. "We were so proud!"
THE WONDER GIRLS WEAR OUTFITS BY D&G, SHOES BY DR. MARTENS, HEADPIECES BY GIGI BURRIS, JEWELRY BY KENNETH JAY LANE AND DISAYA.
GO BACK TO SEE MORE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE OF 2011
place of Ryan Seacrest (or Phil Spector), give them a 39-year-old producer and entertainment mogul named J.Y. Park. Make them all Korean, add some kick-ass choreography, and you've got the Wonder Girls.
The Wonder Girls' path to fame makes Kelly Clarkson's look like a cakewalk. The Girls were selected through a rigorous audition process presided over by J.Y. Park; by their estimates, over 40,000 girls tried out. Once Park made his selections the girls went straight into "the Academy," a divas' finishing school run by Park's label-slash-management company, JYP Entertainment. There, they practiced singing, dancing, and acting, and also took language classes -- first in Mandarin, so that they could better reach their growing fan base in China. Then, two years ago, the Girls started learning English.
"There were no other Asian artists who had really broken into the U.S. market," says Yenny, who at 21 is one of the group's older members (and who, like her bandmates Yubin, Sun, Sohee, and Lim, goes only by a semi-pseudonymous first name). "We thought maybe we could be the ones."
The Wonder Girls labored in obscurity for a little under three months. Then, in late June of 2009, they embarked on a national tour with the Jonas Brothers. It was a break-through, in a way -- and also a lesson in humility. The Girls -- who in Korea have their own five-season reality TV show -- suddenly found themselves relegated to the role of openers. But the Jonas tour helped to re-launch the group. That same year, their single "Nobody" landed them on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a first for a Korean act. And last year they embarked on their own U.S.-Canadian tour.
Eighteen-year-old Lim, the group's youngest member, beams when she remembers it. "We had opening guests," squeals the mega-star. "We were so proud!"
THE WONDER GIRLS WEAR OUTFITS BY D&G, SHOES BY DR. MARTENS, HEADPIECES BY GIGI BURRIS, JEWELRY BY KENNETH JAY LANE AND DISAYA.
GO BACK TO SEE MORE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE OF 2011
Your Comment
Posted at 12:43 on Apr 01, 2011
i like it
Posted at 12:54 on Apr 01, 2011
LOOKOUT FOR THEM - HOTTEST POP SENSATION WHOM HAD ALREADY OPENED FOR JUSTIN BIEBER & THE JONAS BROTHERS! HAWT.
Posted at 1:03 on Apr 01, 2011
That's the Wonder Girls for you, everyone loves them.
Posted at 1:10 on Apr 01, 2011
They're so glamorous. I'm esp. liking how Sun looks in here ;D
Posted at 2:16 on Apr 01, 2011
I love these artists. Their hit songs are only the whipped cream on top. Wonder Girls have a depth that takes them into all genres. I love their soulful ballads the best. And they can DANCE! Cute and sexy, strong or soft, they can take you there! Can't wait for their new U.S. album.
Posted at 2:27 on Apr 01, 2011
Wow! That is such a beautiful picture of them! Is there any other shots? Or possible behind the scenes footage? They are so pretty!
Posted at 10:20 on Apr 01, 2011
Love the concept of the photoshoot. Hopefully more photos will be posted.
Posted at 12:14 on Apr 02, 2011
wonder girls are so beautiful
Posted at 7:41 on Apr 02, 2011
wow they are really so beautiful
Posted at 8:42 on Apr 02, 2011
OMG, They look gorgeous extremely!!
Posted at 10:42 on Apr 02, 2011
WOOHOO i love the wonder girls
Posted at 11:12 on Apr 02, 2011
I love the Wonder Girls!
Posted at 11:33 on Apr 03, 2011
I love the Wonder Girls :)) Talented yet humble. I love this photoshoot, thank you so much for it!! They looks amazing, the colours are gorgeous. I saw some behind-the-scenes photos and I see that there must have been many more shots- I seriously hope that you'll put them up!
Posted at 10:37 on Apr 03, 2011
The WONDER GIRlS !! ♥
Posted at 11:04 on Apr 03, 2011
I love themmm
from Thailand
Posted at 9:57 on Apr 04, 2011
They're all so pretty in the pic. Just gotta love them!