Wonder Girls Interview: Sometimes L.A. Korean Food Is Better Than In Korea

Yubin: Sun was in the academy for six years and then I joined and the Sohee and Lim joined in. We all met in the academy. Sun appeared in a TV show that was like an American Idol in Korea. She got picked out of thousands and thousands of people.

What do you remember about visiting the United States for the first time?
Yubin: It was all new for us. Especially New York. We were amazed by that city.

Yenny: The very first thing we did was study English, because none of us knew how to speak English back then. We came to New York in 2009 but before we came we studied English for a year with a tutor that we lived with.

Your 2012 song with Akon, "Like Money" hit number 22 in 2012. Did you learn anything while working with Akon and touring with the Jonas Brothers?
Yenny: First of all, we were just so happy to be able to work with them. We always listen to their songs and Akon was huge in Korea too. It was very surreal, but we also learned that we should be ourselves. They're very humble. You might think they'd be stuck up, but people like Akon and the Jonas Brothers are very down to Earth.

Lim: We also realized that what we're doing right now isn't just for us. There are a lot of people who are influenced by us, and we're kind of responsible about that. We know that what we're doing is not just for us to get fame. We should give it back.

Nick Cannon produced the movie you guys did for Nickelodeon. What was it like working with him?
Yubin: Nick is really super cool and he actually knows some Korean. He's very friendly and humble, and a family guy, although we haven't met Mariah and the twins yet.

Is there a difference between American and Asian audiences?
Yenny: Audiences are always very passionate, but their reactions are a little different. Americans are more active and dance more and sing along. Korean and Asian audiences will chant and root for us like cheerleaders. We'll sing "Nobody, nobody but you!" and they'll yell "WONDER GIRLS!" But sometimes they're off and we lose our rhythm.

What's your favorite thing about LA?
Yubin: I love The Grove. It's beautiful.

Lim: I love In-N-Out.

Sohee: I like French fries here.

Sun: I love Santa Monica Beach.

Yenny: Korean food here is the best. In some places it's better than in Korea.

What are your goals?
Sun: We just realize that it's important to enjoy every moment in the moment. And we do our best, all the time.

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