So Hot

This article is about the Wonder Girls song. For other uses, see So Hot (disambiguation).

"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 single album titled "So Hot (The 3rd Project)" was released on June 3, 2008. The single became an instant hit and quickly hit number one on various South Korean charts,^[1] as well as topping Melon's weekly popular song chart for four consecutive weeks.^[2]

"So Hot"
Single by Wonder Girls
B-side	"This Time" "You're Out"
Released	May 22, 2008
Recorded	2008
Studio	JYPE Studio (Seoul)
Genre	K-pop dance
Length	3:03
Label	JYP
Lyricist(s)	Park Jin-young
Producer(s)	Hong Ji-sang Park Jin-young
Wonder Girls singles chronology
"Tell Me" (2007) "So Hot" (2008) "Nobody" (2008)
Music video
"So Hot" on YouTube

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.^[3]

Release and versions

"So Hot" was first given a digital release on May 22, 2008; the song topped online charts in the next few days.^[4][5] The full single album was released on June 3, 2008, given the subtitle The 3rd Project. In addition to the title track, the single album also contains the rap version of "Tell Me" and the new tracks "This Time" and "You're Out".^[6]

"So Hot" was initially planned to be the third English single for the group in the United States, after "Tell Me".^[7] Neither "So Hot" nor "Tell Me" were released as singles in the United States, but English versions of the songs were featured on their second extended play 2 Different Tears which was released on May 15, 2010.^[8] A new version of the song was included on the Japanese release Wonder Best (2012) and features the band's third line-up consisting of Hyerim, with Sunmi's vocals removed.

Composition

"So Hot" is a dance song that incorporate retro analog instruments and a "playful" rock n roll,^[9] with lyrics about "a 21st-century princess soldier."^[10] Member Sunye described the song as "a song with a trendy and future-oriented concept".^[11] Model Irene Kim came up with the leopard print concept of the song while interning at JYP.^[12]

Music video and promotion

Wonder Girls performing "So Hot" on June 9, 2008.

A music video was produced for the song, showing the girls in various situations, with men instantly falling in love with them. The Wonder Girls began their comeback performances on May 31, 2008, on MBC's Show! Music Core, performing "So Hot" and "This Time".^[13] The members sported a brand new mature look, wearing leopard print outfits; future performances showcased varying outfits based around the print.^[14] The song 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 lipsynced her parts, as per her doctor's orders,^[5] until the end of July 2008.

Reception

The physical single album peaked at number three on South Korea's monthly album chart, with 31,840 copies sold.^[15] By September 2008, sales had reached 49,499 copies.^{[16][lower-alpha 1]} Additionally, the song won eleven first-place trophies on South Korean music programs and was awarded Song of the Year at the Melon Music Awards.

Awards and nominations

Year	Organization	Award	Result	Ref.
2008	Cyworld Digital Music Awards	Song of the Month (June)	Won	[17]
	Golden Disc Awards	Digital Bonsang	Nominated	[18]
		Popularity Award	Nominated	[19]
	Melon Music Awards	Song of the Year	Won	[20]
	Mnet 20's Choice Awards	Hot Club Music	Won	[21]

Music program awards (11 total)

Program	Date	Ref.
Music Bank	June 6, 2008	[22]
	June 13, 2008	[23]
	June 20, 2008	[24]
	June 27, 2008	[25]
	July 11, 2008	[26]
Inkigayo	June 15, 2008	[27]
	June 22, 2008	[28]
	June 29, 2008	[29]
M Countdown	July 10, 2008	[30]
	July 17, 2008
	July 24, 2008

Track listing

CD single

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"So Hot"	Park Jin-young	Park Jin-young Hong Ji-sang	3:03
2.	"This Time"	Hong Ji-sang	Hong Ji-sang	4:38
3.	"You're Out"	Park Jin-young Hong Ji-sang	Park Jin-young Hong Ji-sang	3:12
4.	"Tell Me" (rap version)	Park Jin-young Kim Yu-bin Mitchell John Dixon	Park Jin-young Dixon Rhee Whoo-seok "Rainstone"	3:37
Total length:				14:36

Charts

Monthly charts

Chart (2008)	Peak position
South Korean Albums (MIAK)[31]	3

Release history

Release history for "So Hot"

Region	Date	Format	Label
South Korea	May 22, 2008	Digital download	JYP Entertainment
	June 3, 2008	CD single

Blackpink version

"So Hot (The Black Label Remix)"
Song by Blackpink
Language	Korean
Released	December 25, 2017
Genre	Dance pop-rap
Length	2:20
Label	The Black Label
Lyricist(s)	Park Jin-young Teddy 24 Danny Chung
Producer(s)	Hong Ji-sang Park Jin-young 24 Teddy Danny Chung
Audio video
"So Hot (The Black Label Remix)" on YouTube

South Korean girl group Blackpink released a version of the song titled So Hot (The Black Label Remix) on December 25, 2017. It was produced by 24, Teddy, and Danny Chung.

Background and release

On December 20, 2017, it was announced that Blackpink would perform "So Hot" at 2017 SBS Gayo Daejeon held at Gocheok Dome in Seoul on the 25th, as a Christmas present for the group's fans.^[32] The song was released on YouTube and SoundCloud on the same day of the performance.^[33] In September 2018, the song was released on Spotify and KKBox.^[34][35]

Blackpink performed "So Hot" on their first two concert tours, the Blackpink Arena Tour 2018 and the In Your Area World Tour. A performance of the song from the former tour was included in their first live album, Blackpink Arena Tour 2018 "Special Final in Kyocera Dome Osaka".^[36]

Composition

Blackpink's version of “So Hot”, parenthesized as "The Black Label Remix", was produced and arranged by 24, Teddy, and Danny Chung of The Black Label.^[32] It was described as having stylistic elements of hip hop and electronic music.^[37][38] The song contains a new English rap verse performed by Jennie and Lisa, in which they boast about their fame and status.

Notes

1. Prior to the establishment of the Gaon Chart in 2010, previous data was compiled by the Music Industry Association Korea until it disbanded in 2008.

References

1. Lee, Seung-woo (July 7, 2008). "원더걸스, 온라인음악차트 정상 탈환" [Wonder Girls, Recapture the Top of the Online Music Chart]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved March 29, 2023.
2. Lee, Eun-jeong (June 21, 2008). "원더걸스 '소 핫' 4주 연속 뜨겁네" [<Music Ranking> Wonder Girls' 'So Hot' is hot for 4 weeks in a row]. Yonhap News (in Korean). Retrieved March 29, 2023.
3. Kim, Hyeong-u (May 21, 2008). 원더걸스 전 멤버 현아,복귀 (in Korean). Paran. Archived from the original on August 2, 2008. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
4. "원더걸스 'So Hot', 온라인 3관왕" (in Korean). Retrieved May 29, 2008.
5. "Wonder Girls' Yu-bin Suffers Vocal Cord Injury". KBS World. May 28, 2008. Retrieved June 10, 2008.
6. Kim, Kyung-min (May 22, 2008). ""확 달라졌다"…원더걸스 후속곡 '소핫' 공개" [“It has changed dramatically”... Wonder Girls follow-up song 'So Hot' released]. Seoul Shinmun (in Korean). Retrieved March 29, 2023.
7. (in Korean) Kim, Hyeong-wu. 원더걸스 미국 데뷔 성공 가능성 얼마나 될까 (What are the Wonder Girls' Chances of Succeeding in American Debut?)^{[permanent dead link]}. Joins.com/Newsen. June 5, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
8. "iTunes – Music – 2 Different Tears by Wonder Girls". iTunes Store. May 15, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
9. Kim, Ji-yeon (May 22, 2008). "원더걸스, 섹시·깜찍 '소 핫' 뮤비 전격 공개" [Wonder Girls, sexy and cute 'so hot' music video released]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
10. "원더걸스 새앨범 'So hot' 발표" [Wonder Girls' new album 'So hot' released]. Seoul Shinmun (in Korean). May 22, 2008. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
11. Gil, Hye-seong (June 9, 2008). "'소 핫' 열풍 원더걸스 "아직 꿈을 향해 가는중"(인터뷰)" ['So hot' craze Wonder Girls "Still on the way to the dream" (interview)]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved March 29, 2023.
12. hermes (October 13, 2016). "Korean-American model Irene Kim more than a pretty face". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on October 17, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
13. Kim, Ji-yeon (May 31, 2008). "원더걸스, '소 핫' 컴백무대서 섹시&깜찍 매력발산" [Wonder Girls, showing off their sexy & cute charms on the comeback stage of 'So Hot']. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved March 29, 2023.
14. Internet, News team (May 23, 2008). "원더걸스, '소 핫(So Hot)'으로 핫이슈" [Wonder Girls, hot issue with 'So Hot']. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved March 29, 2023.
15. 2008. 6 월 – 가요음반 판매량 [June 2008 Album Sales] (in Korean). Recording Industry Association Korea. Archived from the original on July 18, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
16. 2008년 9월 가요순위건 [September 2008 Album Sales] (in Korean). Recording Industry Association Korea. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
17. Park, Se-yeon (July 9, 2008). 원더걸스 이달의 노래 영예.. '텔미' 넘은 '소핫' 열풍 뜨거워 (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
18. "Digital Song Bonsang". Golden Disc Awards (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 7, 2008. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
19. "Popularity Award". Golden Disc Awards (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 7, 2008. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
20. "2008 Melon Music Awards Winners" (in Korean). Melon. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
21. 머니투데이 (August 23, 2008). "Mnet 20's Choice". 머니투데이 (in Korean). Retrieved March 29, 2023.
22. Kim, Su-jin (June 6, 2008). "원더걸스,'so hot'으로 '뮤뱅' 1위 입성" [Wonder Girls, 1st place on 'Music Bank' with 'So Hot']. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
23. Choi, Mun-jeong (June 13, 2008). "원더걸스, 선미 첫 복귀 무대 '뮤직뱅크'서 또 1위" [Wonder Girls, Sunmi's first return stage, 'Music Bank' again won first place]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
24. Lee, Su-hyeon (June 20, 2008). "원더걸스, '뮤직뱅크' 3주 연속 1위" [Wonder Girls, 'Music Bank' 1st place for 3 weeks in a row]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
25. "원더걸스, '뮤직뱅크' 4주 연속 1위" [Wonder Girls, 'Music Bank' 1st place for 4 weeks in a row]. Star News (in Korean). June 27, 2008. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
26. Kim, Ji-yeon (July 11, 2008). "원더걸스, 5주 연속 '뮤직뱅크' 1위" [Wonder Girls, 1st place on 'Music Bank' for 5 consecutive weeks]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
27. Kim, Su-jin (June 15, 2008). "원더걸스 'So Hot', '뮤뱅'이어 '인기가요'도 1위" [Following Wonder Girls' 'So Hot' and 'Mu-Bang', 'Inkigayo' also topped]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
28. Kim, Su-hyeon (June 22, 2008). "원더걸스 'So hot', '인기가요' 2주연속 정상" [Wonder Girls' 'So hot', 'Inkigayo' top spot for 2 weeks in a row]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
29. Go, Hong-ju (June 29, 2008). "원더걸스, '쏘핫' 3주 연속 뮤티즌송‥'텔미' 열풍 못지않다!" [Wonder Girls, 'So Hot' Mutizen song for 3 weeks in a row ‥ It’s as good as the 'Tell Me' craze!]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
30. Choi, Mun-jeong (July 24, 2008). "원더걸스, '엠카운트다운' 3주 연속 1위" [Wonder Girls, #1 on 'M Countdown' for 3 weeks in a row]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
31. 2008. 6 월 – 가요음반 판매량 [June 2008 Album Sales] (in Korean). Recording Industry Association Korea. Archived from the original on July 18, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
32. Park, Jin-young (December 20, 2017). "[단독] 블랙핑크, SBS '가요대전' 원더걸스 '쏘 핫' 재편곡..박진영 극찬" [[Exclusive] BLACKPINK, SBS 'Gayo Daejeon' Wonder Girls' 'So Hot' re-arranged...Park Jin-young highly praised]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved March 30, 2023.
33. Sodam, Lee (December 22, 2017). "[공식입장] "X-MAS 선물"..블랙핑크, 'SO HOT' 커버곡 무료공개" [[Official position] "X-MAS gift"..Black Pink, 'SO HOT' cover song released for free]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved March 30, 2023.
34. So Hot, September 23, 2018, retrieved March 30, 2023
35. "So Hot Remix – Blackpink". Kkbox. Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
36. "LIVE DVD & Blu-ray『BLACKPINK ARENA TOUR 2018 "SPECIAL FINAL IN KYOCERA DOME OSAKA"』". YGEX (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 8, 2019. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
37. Lee, Ho-young (December 25, 2017). "'2017 SBS 가요대전' 블랙핑크, 원더걸스로 변신…'So Hot'" ['2017 SBS Gayo Daejeon' BLACKPINK transforms into Wonder Girls... 'So Hot']. Sports Today (in Korean). Retrieved August 23, 2023.
38. Lee, Unja (December 25, 2017). "SBS 가요대전, 방탄ㆍ블랙핑크ㆍ워너원 등 가요계 ★군단 총출동" [SBS Gayo Daejeon, BTS, Blackpink, Wanna One, etc]. Herald Economy (in Korean). Retrieved August 23, 2023.