Released May 22, 2008 Genre K-pop
dance-pop | Recorded 2008 Length 3:03 | |
B-side "This Time"
"You're Out"
"Tell Me" (rap version) Format Maxi single
digital download | ||
"So Hot" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group, Wonder Girls. It was initially released on May 22, 2008 for digital download. Afterwards, the maxi-single titled So Hot (The 3rd Project) was released on June 3, 2008. The single became an instant hit and quickly a number one hit on various online and offline charts.
Contents
Background
In order to promote the single, JYP Entertainment first released teaser pictures of each member in May 2008, showing the Wonder Girls in their new "sexy image". Starting with Yeeun, pictures were released on 5 consecutive days, ending with Sohee's pictures. Following the pictures, "So Hot" was previewed on their website. During this time, there were rumours that past member Hyuna would be returning to the group; JYP Entertainment confirmed that this was not the case.
Release and promotions
"So Hot" was first given a digital release on May 22, 2008; the song topped online charts in the next few days. The full single was released on June 3, 2008, given the subtitle The 3rd Project. In addition to the title track, the single also contained new songs "This Time" and "You're Out" as well as the rap version of "Tell Me", which was unreleased until this point.
The Wonder Girls began their comeback performances on May 31, 2008 on MBC's Music Core, performing "So Hot" and "This Time". The members sported a brand new mature look, wearing leopard print outfits; future performances showcased varying outfits based around the print. A music video was produced for the song, showing the girls in various situations, with men instantly falling in love with them. "So Hot" became an instant hit and was the number one song on MBC's show Music Core and on SBS's Inkigayo for three consecutive weeks. Due to vocal chord problems, Kim Yubin lipsynched her parts, as per her doctor's orders, until the end of July 2008.
North American release
JYP Entertainment stated in June 2009 that "So Hot" would be the third English single for the group, after "Tell Me". On May 15, 2010, they released their second American single "2 Different Tears" (also known as 2DT), which includes "So Hot" on the track list.
Chart performance
The single charted at number three on South Korea's monthly album chart, selling 31,840 copies. By September 2008, the single had sold 49,499 copies.
Versions
The original version of "So Hot" can be found on the girls' single album of the same name. The original version features vocals from the second line-up consisting of Min Sunye, Park Yeeun, Lee Sunmi, and Kim Yubin. The song was later re-recorded for the Japanese release of their greatest hits album WonderBest (2012) and features the band's third line-up consisting of Min Sunye, Park Yeeun, Ahn Sohee, Kim Yubin and Woo Hyerim, with previous members' vocals removed.
"So Hot" was also made available on the 2010 EP 2 Different Tears, but does not feature vocals from the third line-up, only the second line-up.