Debuting in early 2007, they became popular in the fall of that year with the song "Tell Me." They have scored five consecutive #1 hit singles: "Tell Me", "So Hot", "Nobody", "2 Different Tears" and "Be My Baby". In 2008, they won two "Artist of the Year" awards.
The group began their entry into the American market in 2009, with lead single "Nobody"; the single became the first song by a Korean group to enter the Billboard Hot 100. They are co-managed in the United States by JYP Entertainment and Jonas Group. They managed to place 4th with "Nobody" on the Canadian single charts for the past 2 weeks of March 2011.
Former member Hyuna (현아) left in June '07 due to health problems. She later joined girl group 4minute which disbanded in 2016. At the end of 2009, Sunmi (선미) left to continue her education. She was replaced with trainee Hyelim. She later on returned to singing with the release of her hit-single "24시간이 모자라" in 2013. With the announcement of Wonder Girls' comeback in 2015, Sunmi rejoined the group. Later in 2015, Sunye (선예) and Sohee (소희) officially withdrew from the group.
On 26 January 2017, Wonder Girls officially disbanded after members Sunmi and Yeeun decided not to renew their contracts. A farewell single entitled, "그려줘", was released on the groups 10th anniversary (10 February).
Friend
Wonder Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Barabogo shipeojineungeol
Dareun il modu sone japhiji anneungeol
Gakkeum nal chyeodabomyeo
Miso jinneun neo-ui moseube
Nado moreuge johahanda malhago shipeo
Chingurado joha ni gyeote isseul su itttamyeon
You're my best friend
But you can't be my boyfriend
Naega neoreul chyeodabol ttaedo hangsang
Neoneun nae chinguman chyeodaboji
You're my everything hajiman malhal su eobseo
Nae mamsoge salgo inneun neol
Hangsang neol bogo isseul ttaemyeon
Ne yeope inneun chingumosseube
Nado moreuge nae mami apa-oneungeol
Ireon nae mameul deulkilkkabwa
Na honjaseo nae mam dallaego
Jogeumsshik neowa meoreojyeo gago isseo
Chingurado joha ne gyeote isseul su ittdamyeon
Neol ilko shipji ana nae gajang chinhan chingu-in neol
You're my best friend
But you can't be my boyfriend
Naega neoreul chyeodabol ttaedo hangsang
Neoneun nae chinguman chyeodaboji
You're my everything hajiman malhal su eobseo
Nae mamsoge salgo inneun neol
Ijen ne yeopeseo nae joheun chinguroman ye
Neol barabolge naega neoreul akkyeojulge
Neol johahaneun mankeum
You're my best friend
But you can't be my boy friend
Naega neoreul chyeodabol ttaedo hangsang
Neoneun nae chinguman chyeodaboji
You're my everything hajiman malhal su eobseo
Nae mamsoge salgo inneun neol
You're my best friend
But you can't be my boy friend
Naega neoreul chyeodabol ttaedo hangsang
Neoneun nae chinguman chyeodaboji
You're my everything hajiman malhal su eobseo
Nae mamsoge salgo inneun neol
(Nae mamsoge salgo inneun neol)
The song "Friend" by Wonder Girls is about the frustrations and complexities of being in love with a close friend. The lyrics express the desire to look at the friend's face every day but not being able to because that may reveal the true feelings. The song also portrays the pain of acknowledging that the friend will never be a romantic partner despite being everything to the singer.
The first verse implies that the singer wants to look at the friend every day but cannot. Though everyone else sleeps holding hands, the singer and the friend cannot seem to do so without feeling awkward. The singer mentions being hurt without the friend knowing. In the second verse, the singer talks about how they wish they could control their emotions and be happy with the friendship alone. The singer also describes being distant from the friend little by little since the feelings are hard to deal with.
The chorus highlights the complexity of the relationship between the two, with the singer referring to the friend as their "best friend," "everything," and "chinguman" (most important person). However, despite the apparent closeness, the singer also acknowledges that the friend can never be their boyfriend, and though they will always want to hug and hold hands, the friend merely sees them as a friend.
Line by Line Meaning
Harujongil ne eolgulman
Every day, I want to see your face
Barabogo shipeojineungeol
Because I want to look at you
Dareun il modu sone japhiji anneungeol
Because I can't hold hands with anyone else
Gakkeum nal chyeodabomyeo
Sometimes, you tease me
Miso jinneun neo-ui moseube
With your smile that makes me happy
Nado moreuge johahanda malhago shipeo
I want to say that I like you too, without even realizing it
Chingurado joha ni gyeote isseul su itttamyeon
It would be nice if we could just be friends and stay by each other's side
Neol ilko shipji anha nae gajang chinhan chingu-in neol
I don't want to lose you, my most precious friend
You're my best friend
You are the best friend I have
But you can't be my boyfriend
But I cannot be in a romantic relationship with you
Naega neoreul chyeodabol ttaedo hangsang
Even when I tease you
Neoneun nae chinguman chyeodaboji
You just laugh it off, as my friend
You're my everything hajiman malhal su eobseo
You are everything to me, but I cannot tell you that
Nae mamsoge salgo inneun neol
You are in my heart, always
Hangsang neol bogo isseul ttaemyeon
When I always see you
Ne yeope inneun chingumosseube
Your friend next to you
Nado moreuge nae mami apa-oneungeol
I don't even realize that my heart hurts
Ireon nae mameul deulkilkkabwa
I have to listen to my heart like this
Na honjaseo nae mam dallaego
I try to change my mind alone
Jogeumsshik neowa meoreojyeo gago isseo
Little by little, I am drifting away from you
Ijen ne yeopeseo nae joheun chinguroman ye
Now, I will become your good friend who is next to you
Neol barabolge naega neoreul akkyeojulge
I will watch over you and protect you
Neol johahaneun mankeum
As much as I love you
You're my best friend
You are the best friend I have
But you can't be my boy friend
But I cannot be in a romantic relationship with you
Nae mamsoge salgo inneun neol
You are in my heart, always
Contributed by Isabella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.