Sunmi is an undeniable force in K-pop. She first made her debut as a member of the Wonder Girls back in 2007, one of the first K-pop acts to really break through in the West. The English version of their single “Nobody” was the first K-pop song to hit the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2009.
In 2010 Sunmi left the group to go back to school, but the siren call of a music career pulled her back in. She released her debut solo EP Full Moon in 2014. That began a run of award-winning releases for the pop star, including Song of the Year for “Gashina” at the Gaon Chart Music Awards.
Despite her near-constant presence in the K-pop world as a solo artist and as a member of the Wonder Girls, whom she rejoined in 2015, Sumni only just released her first solo LP, Heart Maid, in 2025. This year she released the single “Forever July,” which blends ’90s R&B synths with rubbery bass and UK garage-inspired drums. Sunmi has called it one of her most personal songs. And she wasn’t afraid to get personal in our Q&A either, revealing details about her writing process, her greatest disappointment as an artist, and her love of ear cleaning videos.
What is your most indispensable tool?
My phone. I use the Notes app and Voice Memos a lot when I’m writing lyrics or making music. Whenever I have a good idea, I can immediately pull it out and write it down, so I really can’t live without it.
Which is the most underappreciated?
The Samsung Galaxy series. It has made my work environment so much easier.
Team Galaxyyyyyy!
What is the first app you install on a new phone or computer?
These days, you can transfer all the apps and data from your previous device, so I don’t really have to install anything separately. But if that process didn’t exist, I’d probably install KakaoTalk, a messaging app, first.
What is one thing you wish you could change about your phone?
I have so many unnecessary photos and screenshots in my gallery. I wish there were a feature that could recognize similar or duplicate photos and group them together, so I could delete them all at once.
What sites do you have pinned to your tab bar?
Notion. I use it a lot because I work on many group projects. It’s convenient, but it takes quite a long time to get used to. I think the UI could use some improvement.
How many tabs do you have open right now?
Four: Notion, Google Drive, YouTube, and Claude.
Which social media platform do you use the most?
I don’t really use social media that much, but I think I use Instagram and X the most.
What is your happy place online?
Videos of people getting their ears cleaned on YouTube.
What is your favorite gadget you’ve ever owned?
I’m not really good with technology, but I think the Samsung Z Fold 8 that I’m using right now is probably my favorite device. I often need to work on documents or edit videos while I’m on the go, and it’s incredibly convenient. I can work with both hands on a wide screen, and it’s surprisingly light. It’s exactly the kind of device I’ve always needed.
What game do you have the fondest memories of?
MapleStory by Nexon. I played it when I was in elementary school, and even after becoming an adult, I would sometimes play the mobile version. The graphics really bring back memories of my childhood.
Which tech trend do you wish would go away?
What is one thing you wish you had created?
Stranger Things 5 and Game of Thrones 8.
What creation are you most proud of?
“Tail.” It’s a song that still gets me excited every time I perform it live. When I hold my breath, the audience holds their breath too, and when I explode, they explode with me. It creates this really unique experience.
Which are you least proud of?
“You Can’t Sit with Us.” It was the first song where I ever tried rapping. But the lyrics and even my voice were terrible.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Always stay humble. You should never let yourself become arrogant.
What is your current obsession?
I really love ice cream. Korean summers are shockingly hot, so it’s hard to survive without ice cream. I absolutely love Salt & Straw’s Salted Caramel Waffle Cone, but there’s nothing quite like it in Korea.
What do you do when you need to focus?
I find a small space to organize my thoughts.
What do you do when you’re feeling stuck?
I say “No?” out loud. For example, if I start thinking to myself, “I can’t do this,” I immediately say “No?” out loud.
When was the last time you went somewhere without your phone?
When I’m shooting, I leave my phone with my manager. Even during short breaks, I barely look at my phone. But I’ve never actually gone somewhere without my phone.
What’s the last piece of physical media you bought?
The Senses of an Everydayist, a new essay collection by lyricist Kim Eana. She sent me a copy as a gift when it was published, but I believe there’s something meaningful about personally buying and reading someone’s creative work, so I bought a copy online.
What do you think is worth splurging on?
A meal with the people I love.
What would the tagline for your biopic be?
Dancing on the Borderline.
What’s the last GIF or meme you used?
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