Sun-mi or ``Mimi,’’ far left, and So-hee, second from right, the Wonder Girls’ two youngest singers, have decided to leave high school as the group prepares for its American debut. / Korea Times File

By Han Sang-hee, Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporters

So-hee and Sun-mi (or Mimi), the two youngest members of the five-member K-pop group Wonder Girls, have withdrawn from high school to pursue the group’s American debut this summer, their management agency confirmed Monday.

Sun-mi, 17, and So-hee who turns 17 on June 27, decided earlier this month to leave Cheongdam High School and Changmun Girls’ High School, respectively, after discussions with their parents, Han Soo-jung, PR manager of JYP Entertainment, told The Korea Times.

``They found it difficult to balance their careers and schoolwork, so they discussed (the prospects of leaving school) with their parents. It isn’t unexpected news,’’ she said. Han said the girls will consider the possibility of home schooling and taking ``geomjeonggosi’’ or a qualification exam that would be the equivalent of a high school degree as they pursue their careers in the United States.

The Wonder Girls’ U.S. album will be released around September or October, she said.

The group will appear June 27-Aug. 29 across the U.S. as the opening act in the Jonas Brothers’ cross-country tour. They will travel to Oregon, Washington, Canada, Illinois, New York and California. For more information, visit the Wonder Girls’ official English Web site: www.wondergirlsworld.com.

sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr
hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr