Sunye Reveals JYP Took Wonder Girls to Their First Club as a Coming-of-Age Gift

Former Wonder Girls leader Sunye dropped a delightful behind-the-scenes bombshell during her appearance on KBS2 Stars Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant, revealing that her very first nightclub experience was chaperoned by none other than JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young himself. The revelation, which aired on March 6, had fellow guest Kahi from After School gasping in disbelief and studio audiences erupting in laughter.

The Night JYP Played Mentor

The story unfolded when Sunye invited former Wonder Girls member Yubin and After School alum Kahi to her home for a meal she personally prepared. As the three women swapped stories about their idol days, Kahi asked what the Wonder Girls used to do for fun during their active years. Sunye initially offered a wholesome answer, saying they would visit restaurants abroad and take photos together.

Kahi was not satisfied. She pressed further, asking whether they ever went to clubs. That is when Yubin stepped in with the real story. She revealed that their first club outing was organized by Park Jin-young himself. According to Yubin, when Sunye and fellow member Yeeun turned 20 the legal adult age in South Korea Park Jin-young announced that he would take them on a club tour to mark the occasion. Yubin, who had already reached adulthood, joined the trio for the night out.

A Responsible Mentor Figure

Sunye elaborated on the motivation behind the unusual outing, explaining that Park Jin-young believed young people should learn about drinking and nightlife from a trustworthy adult rather than discovering it on their own in potentially risky situations. His philosophy was straightforward: if they were going to experience these things, it was better to do so in a safe, guided environment.

The studio panel responded warmly, with commentators praising Park Jin-young as a genuinely responsible mentor figure. The sentiment was clear rather than being overprotective or leaving his young artists to navigate adult life alone, he chose to walk them through it personally, setting an example of moderation and care.

A Window Into K-Pop Mentorship

The anecdote offers a rare and heartwarming glimpse into the mentor-artist relationship that defined an entire era of K-pop. Wonder Girls debuted under JYP Entertainment in 2007 and became one of the most iconic girl groups of the second generation, known for hits like Tell Me and Nobody. Park Jin-young was not just their producer he was a guiding figure who shaped their professional and personal development during their formative years.

Sunye, who has been largely out of the public eye since her marriage in 2013, appeared relaxed and candid throughout the episode. Her willingness to share such personal stories gave viewers a nostalgic trip back to the golden era of K-pop, while also humanizing the legendary producer in a way that press releases and award speeches never could.

The episode reminded fans that behind the polished performances and chart-topping hits, there were real relationships, genuine care, and moments of mentorship that helped shape some of the biggest names in Korean music history.