For the first time in 4 years, the K-pop scene will be graced with the simultaneous appearances of both Girls' Generation and Wonder Girls. The last time Wonderfuls and SONEs watched their respective groups collide was the showdown between Wonder Girls' "Be My Baby" and Girls' Generation "The Boys" in 2011. While fans of both groups are definitely stoked for the comebacks of their favorite groups, this also means that we'll see the rivalry between Girls' Generation and Wonder Girls again. However, things have changed and times are very different now for both groups, which will most definitely skew the results of their comeback successes.
(Throwback to "The Boys" and "Be My Baby" promotions.)
While both are different groups, they do share some similarities. For example, both groups debuted around the same time in 2007, meaning they've both been on the scene for the same amount of time. They also both went through recent-ish member changes. Fans of Wonder Girls will unfortunately miss Sohee, who left the group in 2013 to pursue an acting career, as well as Sun, who is currently inactive as she raises her family and continues her missionary work in Haiti. However, they did regain Sunmi, who came back to the K-pop scene to start a solo career. Meanwhile, Girls' Generation lost Jessica in 2014, dropping their number to eight members.
However, because they are both different groups, it's important to remember that there are important differences to highlight between the two. For one thing, the two groups have always had very different styles. As the "retro queens" of K-pop, the Wonder Girls' work has always centered on stylized throwbacks, such as the 1970's theme of "Tell Me," the 1980's setting of "So Hot," and the 1960's sophistication of "Nobody." Meanwhile, Girls' Generation have explored everything from bubblegum-pop to electro-pop to even hip-hop. Despite all of these different styles, however, Girls' Generation has always been and will continue to be a pop dance group for their upcoming comeback.
It's also important to note where both members will be coming from with their respective comebacks. The Wonder Girls haven't been active as a group for two whole long years while Girls' Generation have continued to stay on the scene. Two years is a long time to disappear from the scene, with other groups debuting and growing in popularity to take over the top spot that the Wonder Girls once took (think SISTAR, 2NE1, etc). In sharp contrast, Girls' Generation has been super busy promoting their work since their debut, establishing their spot as arguably Korea's top girl group with hits like "I Got A Boy" (2013), "Mr.Mr" (2014), and "Catch Me If You Can" (2015). Through these releases and their subsequent successes, Girls' Generation have just been unshakeable.
To make matters even more difficult for the Wonder Girls, they haven't mentioned anything about a retro theme. In fact, they won't even be a dance group, as they'll come back as an idol band instead with Yenny on keyboards, Lim on guitar, Sunmi on bass, and Yubin on drums. True, we don't know much else about their upcoming comeback, other than J.Y Park's involvement, so there's still the possibility that they'll continue with the retro trend somehow. While changes are imminent, it seems like a bad move to change exactly what the Wonder Girls are known for, the very theme that always set them apart from other girl groups.
(The Wonder Girls looking classy during the "Nobody" era.)
With all of these factors in mind, I have to say that it'll be Girls' Generation who'll come out on top simply because they'll have a stronger foundation to stand on. They have the consistency of presence in the market as well as a new comeback theme that'll still have enough familiarity to garner their fans' support. The Wonder Girls, meanwhile, are coming back as an idol band, which tends to be easily overshadowed in the K-pop music scenes by dance groups. Also, in the event that they decide not to continue with retro themes, I feel like such a huge departure from their familiar retro style might seem a little foreign to their fans, whose numbers have probably dwindled in the last two years. With all of these image changes that could potentially stand as obstacles, I'm worried that the Wonder Girls will be on shakier ground with their long-awaited comeback, and that there will really be no rivalry as the Wonder Girls are easily dominated.
(Girls' Generation looking fierce and fabulous in "Catch Me If You Can")
Despite this rivalry, what I'm hoping for is widespread support and appreciation for the return of K-pop veterans, the Wonder Girls, even as Girls' Generation continue their trend of dominating the charts. Not only are they back, but the Wonder Girls are bringing almost completely new things to the table with their new style as an idol band, which will definitely be worth paying attention to. Perhaps what this rivalry could show us in August is that no group truly leaves the scene, as the return of the Wonder Girls as a band could show both groups achieving success as they potentially occupy different niches of success. I also hope that fans, both Wonderfuls and SONEs will recognize this time for the amazing moment it truly is, the long-awaited historic return of two of South Korea's girl group queens.
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