Former Wonder Girls member Sunye has come under fire after discussing the possibility of a group reunion on a recent broadcast.

The backlash has been particularly strong among WonderFuls, the dedicated fanbase that has supported Wonder Girls since their debut in 2007.

On the March 12 episode of MBC's Radio Star, Sunye was asked about the potential for a Wonder Girls reunion. She responded, "A lot of people ask me about this. It's not that we don't have feelings about it. I think we're all just waiting for the right time. If a good opportunity comes along, we might come together again." She also shared anecdotes from her time in the group, including the pressure of competing against Girls' Generation.

It is not uncommon for former girl group members to reflect on their past careers and discuss reunions. However, in Sunye's case, her history with the group and the circumstances of their disbandment have reignited long-standing disappointment among fans.

Wonder Girls, one of the defining second-generation girl groups alongside Girls' Generation, 2NE1, and KARA, debuted in 2007 with the full-length album The Wonder Years. Their hit song Tell Me became a national sensation, sparking the "Tell Me craze" across South Korea. The group continued its success with So Hot and Nobody, cementing their status as a top-tier idol group.

However, in January 2013, leader and core member Sunye shocked fans by announcing her marriage to a Korean-Canadian missionary. Just months later, in April, she revealed she was expecting her first child, effectively halting Wonder Girls' activities. In July 2015, ahead of the group's planned comeback, Sunye officially left Wonder Girls. Around the same time, member Sohee also departed, leading to a restructured four-member lineup with Yenny, Yubin, Sunmi, and Hyerim.

Despite releasing albums such as Reboot (2015), Why So Lonely (2016), and Draw Me (2017), the group was unable to replicate the explosive success of their early years. Unlike Girls' Generation, which continued as an eight-member unit after Jessica's departure in 2014 and even released their seventh full-length album Forever 1 in 2022 to mark their 15th anniversary, Wonder Girls disbanded in 2017.

While Sunye was not solely responsible for the group's trajectory, it is undeniable that her sudden departure had a significant impact. Over the years, fans have come to accept her decision and many have wished her well as she built her family, now a mother of three. However, when she re-entered the entertainment industry in 2021 through tvN's reality show Mom is an Idol, followed by musical and variety show appearances, some fans began to express mixed feelings.

Many feel that it is inappropriate for Sunye to discuss a reunion when she was the one who dealt a major blow to the group's activities. Fans have reacted strongly online, commenting, "Sunye is not the one who should be talking about a reunion," "Why did Wonder Girls disband in the first place?" and "Everyone knows that the group started falling apart because of her."

While leaving a group is a personal decision made between the artist and their agency, being welcomed back into the industry is entirely up to the public. Sunye may have her own untold struggles, but after 10 years away from Wonder Girls, bringing up the group again may have done more harm than good. It is understandable that she wants to work hard and prove herself in Korea again, but if she truly feels remorse for the members who had to adjust their careers after her departure, a quiet solo career might be the better path forward.

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