More singles & continued popularity
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Wonder Girls returned to Korea in spring of 2008. In May, over the course of 5 days, a picture of each member, sporting their new "sexy" image, was released, starting with Ye-eun and ending with Sohee. Following this, a preview track from the upcoming single was released. There were rumours that past member Hyuna would be returning to the group; JYP Entertainment confirmed that this was not the case.[12]
Their new single, "So Hot", was released on May 22, 2008; the song topped online charts in the next few days.[13][14] They began their comeback performances on May 31, 2008 on MBC's Music Core, performing "So Hot" and "This Time". The full single was released on June 3, 2008, containing the title track, the rap version of "Tell Me", "This Time", and "You're Out". Due to vocal cord problems, Yubin lip-synched her parts under doctor's orders[14] until late July. It was later announced that promotional activities for "So Hot" would end at the end of July 2008, and that the group would instead prepare for their third mini-album, to be released the end of September.[citation needed]
In September 2008, various hints and teasers were put up on their official website, including a teaser trailer that was also put up on JYP Entertainment's official YouTube account.[15] The full music video was then released on September 22, 2008, with the single, "Nobody", being digitally released on the same day. They made their comeback the following weekend on Music Core, Music Bank, and Inkigayo. The song went to #1 on KBS' Music Bank, staying there for four consecutive weeks,[16] and also won Cyworld's "Song of the Month" award in September and October 2008.[17]
In November 2008, the Wonder Girls revealed that they would have their own makeup line, consisting of 6 different "Wonder" products,[18] and a reality show airing on M.Net, titled Wonder Bakery, in which the girls would pair up with aspiring chefs competing to win a cash prize.[19] It was also stated that the Wonder Girls have made ₩12 billion (equivalent to $9 million) as a group.[20]
At the 2008 M.Net MKMF Awards, the Wonder Girls won three awards, including "Song of the Year" and "Best Music Video" for "Nobody", and "Best Female Group".[6] The group also won an award at the 2008 Golden Disk Awards for high digital sales.[21] At the 18th Seoul Music Awards, the Wonder Girls won the Daesang ("Artist of the Year" award) for "Nobody", along two other awards.[5]