Sunmi, the ex-Wonder Girls star who is one of K-pop’s most famous female singers
Since making her debut as a solo artist in 2013, Sunmi has had a string of No 1 hits, shown she can be quirky as well as sexy, and revealed a troubled past that only increased her appeal
The past year has been one of unadulterated success for Sunmi, the former member of K-pop outfit Wonder Girls.
Sunmi has hit No 1 with all her latest singles, and is the face of major cosmetics and fashion brands. Her quirky appearances on popular TV variety shows have endeared her to those who have not fallen for her sexy image.
Many were shocked and moved when Sunmi revealed she had a difficult childhood – something that is still unusual for a K-pop star. She made headlines after a tearful account of her troubled younger years during a TV programme, which gave an insight into the pain and hardships she has endured despite her K-pop fame.
Contrary to her sexy image, Sunmi has shown other sides to her personality, such as spending time last year with a victim of the Sewol ferry disaster in South Korean in 2014 that claimed hundreds of lives. The encounter was shown on a YouTube channel and many were moved by her insight and genuine sense of empathy.
Her down-to-earth, sisterly relationship with her manager was recently revealed on a Korean reality show, providing further insight into her genuine and lively character.