Rejected by All, Backed by Just One—The K-Pop Hit That Led to TWICE & Stray Kids

There’s a legendary K-pop song that nearly never saw the light of day. Both company executives and even the group’s own members were against it.

But one man, JYP Entertainment’s founder Park Jin-young, refused to back down. The song? "Tell Me" by Wonder Girls.

Released in 2007 as the title track of Wonder Girls’ first full-length album The Wonder Years, "Tell Me" initially had little buzz. At the time, the group was still a rookie act, and JYP Entertainment—though respected—wasn’t the powerhouse it is today.

In fact, the company was struggling. On The 'The Ddanddara', a KBS2 variety show, Park Jin-young revealed, "When Wonder Girls debuted with 'Irony,' I was told the company only had two months’ worth of funds left for employee salaries. I knew we needed a hit song to survive, so I poured everything into writing one—and that song saved our company."

And that’s exactly what "Tell Me" did—not just for JYP, but for an entire generation.

The "Tell Me" Phenomenon

Even today, "Tell Me" is regarded as one of the most impactful K-pop songs in history. Its viral choreography—particularly the so-called “triangle dance”—was simple yet irresistibly catchy. It sparked an unprecedented UCC (User-Created Content) craze, with fans from all walks of life uploading their own dance covers online.

Interestingly, the song’s initial chart performance was underwhelming. Upon release, it hovered around the 20s and 30s on Melon, South Korea’s biggest streaming platform. But as the UCC wave gained momentum, so did the song. "Tell Me" climbed its way to No.1, dominating music charts and winning multiple trophies on music shows.

The song also played a major role in catapulting Wonder Girls into national girl group status. Among its members, Sohee became a breakout star, thanks to her now-iconic “Omona” moment in the choreography—where she brings her hands to her face in surprise.

To illustrate just how massive "Tell Me" was: In 2007, Gallup Korea’s Song of the Year poll ranked it No.1, beating even BIGBANG’s "Lies".

Despite its eventual success, "Tell Me" was met with skepticism before its release. JYP executives and even Wonder Girls themselves initially opposed the concept, choreography, and melody, believing they were too unusual.

Looking back at the group’s performances from that era, it’s clear why. The members often performed in brightly colored leggings and sky-high heels, with hair and makeup inspired by retro aesthetics—a bold, unconventional look at the time.

Yet Park Jin-young stood firm. With JYP on the verge of shutting down, he had no choice but to push "Tell Me" through. And thanks to his unwavering belief, the song not only saved the company but also laid the foundation for future JYP legends like TWICE and Stray Kids.

Looking back, "Tell Me" wasn’t just a hit—it was a cultural reset.