On the April 2, 2022 broadcast of Channel A’s “Dr. Oh Eun-young’s Golden Counseling,” Sunye, former member of Wonder Girls, discussed her life after leaving the group, raising three children, and the challenges she faced.
Sunye, who married in January 2013 and moved to Canada, gave birth to her first child that year, followed by two more daughters. She took a break from Wonder Girls in 2013 and officially left in 2015.
Sunye shared that, with her children on summer vacation, they traveled to Korea. She explained that, without married friends at the time, she learned parenting through blogs and books. When asked about having more children, she jokingly said, “The ‘factory’ is closed. We’re happy with three daughters.”
Reflecting on her first pregnancy, Sunye described feeling little emotion, accepting it as “another chapter” of her life. Raising her kids in Canada, she faced challenges without anyone to rely on, which made things harder for her. Dr. Oh Eun-young noted that Sunye seemed to deny these difficulties, and Sunye admitted to being misunderstood as stubborn, a trait also present when she left Wonder Girls.
Sunye revealed that, during her time with Wonder Girls, she felt pressured by her influence on teens, becoming cautious with her public image. After losing both her father and grandfather, she questioned her life’s purpose and felt an emptiness that success couldn’t fill. “Going on stage didn’t bring joy anymore,” she shared, adding that she felt guilty for continuing to perform with this mindset.
Dr. Oh Eun-young asked, “As a psychiatrist, I understand, but from a public perspective, it doesn’t quite add up. A girl group suffers a huge blow even with one member absent. Fans may be upset about a member’s departure. Why did you choose such an extreme measure?”
Sunye responded, “There was a misunderstanding about the word ‘departure.’ I had been preparing for a band for 2-3 years, and I was in a situation where others thought my actions were harming the other members.” She continued, “I thought that if I officially cleared up my role, I would be able to pursue independent activities without causing trouble for the other members. That’s why I made the decision to leave.”
Looking back, Sunye said she might have stayed with Wonder Girls if she were the person she is now, though she would still have married. She expressed regret for not explaining her decision to fans, wishing she could have apologized for unintentionally hurting them. “If I got the chance, I had wanted to officially apologize and say that I was really sorry. It was not my intention – why would I throw away the Wonder Girls? I wanted to say that was never my intention. I’m really sorry for unintentionally hurting you and I hope you understand how I feel.”
After stepping away from the spotlight to focus on her family life and motherhood, Sunye took time to reflect on her personal growth. In 2022, Sunye marked her solo debut with the EP “Genuine.” The release was met with positive reception, as her heartfelt and sincere lyrics deeply connected with fans who had longed for her distinctive voice. This comeback represented a fresh start for Sunye, showcasing that, while she had fully embraced motherhood, her artistic journey was far from finished.