So Hot

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. Performance and album cover outfits were inspired by Nicole Scherzinger’s looks in the Don’t Cha music video, with leopard print being the key focal point.

"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 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".

"So Hot" was initially planned to be the third English single for the group in the United States, after "Tell Me". 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. 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.

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

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". The members sported a brand new mature look, wearing leopard print outfits; future performances showcased varying outfits based around the print. 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, until the end of July 2008.

The physical single album peaked at number three on South Korea's monthly album chart, with 31,840 copies sold. By September 2008, sales had reached 49,499 copies. 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.

Monthly charts

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. The song was released on YouTube and SoundCloud on the same day of the performance. In September 2018, the song was released on Spotify and KKBox.

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".

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. It was described as having stylistic elements of hip hop and electronic music. The song contains a new English rap verse performed by Jennie and Lisa, in which they boast about their fame and status.