The shocking announcement this past weekend that Sunmi was withdrawing from the Wonder Girls has sent shock waves around Korea and the world, and it is showing no signs of slowing down. Many are wondering about the real reasons behind Sunmi's sudden withdrawal, with many netizens and fans believing that most of the blame should be shouldered by Park Jin Young (JYP). Some are pointing out that Sunmi's withdrawal was a result of JYP taking the Wonder Girls to America too quickly in an attempt to break into the unforgiving market. They felt that the Wonder Girls were just a tool for JYP's grand ambition of breaking into the American market and in that process, he had pushed the girls too hard, resulting in an imbalance between his dreams and reality. Sohee and Sunmi had withdrawn from their high schools before advancing into America. That was unavoidable since they had to stay in America for most of the time, but some have pointed out that it might not have been Sunmi's personal intention to quit school and JYP had made that decision for her without coming to a consensus with Sunmi and her family. Upset fans wrote,

"Sunmi's withdrawal was a direct result of JYP's personal desires. Nothing is resolved by replacing Sunmi with another girl. Is breaking into the American market a dream of JYP or the Wonder Girls? It's really bad if JYP is neglecting the needs of young girls by satisfying his dreams and using them as a tool."

This wasn't something that hadn't happened before. Netizens pointed out that JYP's protege, J-Lim (Lim Jeong Hee) had a good career going on in Korea after her Music is my life album. But shortly after that success, JYP bought her to America in an attempt to break into the market. That didn't work out and since then, we have heard nothing about her. G-Soul, another of his proteges, has yet to make his debut. One fan said,

"After Lim Jeong Hee was sacrificed, it's very sad that it has happened again. Sunmi is JYP's next sacrificial lamb."

Another wrote,

"If you notice, JYP might be a great producer and singer, but he isn't that good at managing relations. We all know what happened with Rain, Jaebeom and HyunA in the past. He just let them go easily although he still remains on good terms with them. Perhaps he is just too kind-hearted."

JYPE responded,

"Sunmi's decision was taken after lengthy discussions with the company and her family. We will support her, if she decides to return in future."

HyunA, a former member of the Wonder Girls, had left the group back in 2007 due to health issues. She returned as part of a new five-member girl group, 4minute in the summer of 2009 and is currently under Cube Entertainment, a sister company of JYP Entertainment. So we might not be seeing the last of Sunmi when she officially leaves for her studies at the end of February 2010.