10Asia Interviews 2NE1
2013-07-10 09:19 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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omonatheydid2NE1 has been considered ‘different’ from the moment they debuted in 2009. They weren’t sexy or cute like other girl groups. And one of their strengths was that they could pull off the ‘style’ of Hip-hop. There is nobody you can compare them to in Korea. They may briefly remind you of black girl groups like Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue, or TLC but there is something that is still different about 2NE1. So what it is? Their style? Fashion? Music? Or boldness? One thing for sure is that they have become a group that is like none other – that is ‘special.’ 2NE1, back in the music scene for the first time in almost a year with song “Falling in Love” talked to the media on Tuesday.
Q. This is your first song in a year.
CL: We released “I Love You” a year ago but it’ll be close to the first time in two years that we’re fully resuming our activities. We had craved to go on stage with a new song. While working on our new songs, we said we should try to work as hard as we did before we released “Fire.”
Sandara Park (Sandara): It’s almost feels like we’re debuting again. It’s exciting.
Gong Minzy (Minzy): We’ve waited for a new song as much as our fans have.
Park Bom (Bom): We were craving the stage so much to the point that we had to beg our CEO Yang Hyun-suk. And I’m not usually the begging type (laughs).
Q. You went on a break after going on your world tour last year. How have you been?
Bom: I went back to being like a trainee, taking lessons from a singing teacher, and I also bought different items.
Minzy: Sandara and I worked out a lot.
Sandara: I was trying to make pretty abs but I worked out so hard that they’re starting to turn into manly abs. I shouldn’t have worked out as hard. I’m regretting it now (laughs).
Q. Minzy, you’re 20 now (Korean age).
Minzy: I’m the youngest on the team so the fact that I’m 20 hasn’t hit me yet. I made an attempt at being cute in the music video for our new song “Falling in Love” to show that I’m 20.
Q. The pink wig you wore in the music video left a strong impression.
Minzy: I told my stylist that I want to try wearing a pink wig. I have a habit of collecting photos of things I want to try out. And pink hair was one of them.
Q. “Falling in Love” is a reggae tune that fits the summer.
CL: It’s a mix of reggae and hip-hop. It’s dynamic. And while the verse that Minzy sings is easy-going, the hook is lively. There’s the most hip-hop to the rap and the part that Sandara sings has the most reggae. Reggae is a new genre for us so it was fun coming up with the dance for it as well.
Q. The songs you’ve sung in the past are far from singing about songs that other love songs usually do. But the lyrics to your song this time are cheerful and lovable. Doesn’t it feel awkward?
CL: For us, it actually feels like it’s the first time we’re singing a normal love song. There was “I Love You” as well but that was about a woman who is clingy. We mostly sang of songs telling the guy to back off so we’re finally singing a normal love song.
Q. A lot of other girl groups go with lovable images. Have you ever imagined yourself doing that?
CL: We’re trying to be lovable in our own way. So you saying that hurts (laughs). We tried hard to seem more cheerful this time.
Q. I understand that Teddy made the song. What was your first impression of it?
CL: To be more precise, it’s a song that Teddy and Choice37 made together. Choice37 is the person that made G-Dragon and Lee Hi’s songs. We originally did some rapping using “Falling in Love” as the intro to a performance we gave for “I Love You” last year.
Sandara: I got hooked to it as soon as I heard it. Minzy’s part in particular made me feel like I’m at the beach.
Minzy: I’m the type that dances upon hearing music so the song made me want to dance.
Q. Your new song is like a song for the beach. Have you been to the beach recently?
CL: I suddenly feel sad. The last time we went to the beach is… When?
Sandara: It’s been over a year. I went to the Philippines for a photo shoot so I got to work and play as well then but I haven’t been able to go since.
Q. You recently went on stage for Snoop Dogg’s concert in Korea. And he recently released a reggae album titled “Reincarnated” under the name Snoop Lion. Have you listened to the album by any chance?
CL: Snoop Dog made the album by learning reggae directly in Jamaica. And I’ve liked him for a long time. It was fun getting to perform with him and it was good because we got to talk to him a lot.
Q. Of the numerous girl groups in Korea, you probably differentiate yourselves the most in terms of style. Is there anything in particular you did this time around as well to differentiate yourself?
CL: We’ve been true to ourselves rather than trying to be different. And we’re returning [to the music scene] for the first time in a while so we just want to stay true to ourselves rather than trying to show a new side to us. We recorded a lot of songs whenever we have time, during the past two years so we can’t wait to have you hear them. Our style and wardrobe will depend on the song.
Q. How many new songs do you have so far? I understand that you’ll be releasing a new song every month and then release an entire album in the end.
CL: It’s the way in which we released our mini-album last year as well. We started with “Lonely,” then “Ugly,” “Hate You,” and “I Am The Best” before releasing the album itself. As of now, we have enough new songs to release two studio albums. We’re planning on releasing a new song every month and releasing an album in October. We haven’t decided on whether it’ll be a studio album or a mini-album.
Q. What did the rest of you think of CL’s “The Baddest Female”?
Bom: It was like a new world to me. She pulled it off so well that I became a fan.
Q. I think the energies that you experienced on your world tour must’ve influenced how you worked on your new album.
CL: We wanted to release an album with the energy we got from our concerts as soon as we were done [with our world tour] but we weren’t able to. There’ll be a lot for us to show once we get on stage since we’ve been holding ourselves back.
Q. A video clip of you guys performing at a club in Mexico in the past was popular in Korea at one point. I think people in South America must like you.
CL: Brazil is actually the country overseas where we have our second largest fanbase. I think they like us because our songs are hot and passionate.
Q. You give off an extreme amount of energy when you perform live. Are there any performances you’ve given recently that are memorable?
Sandara: PSY’s concert at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul was memorable because there were so many people there. You rarely get to perform in front of so many people. We got so excited that we had as much fun as we could.
Q. Minzy, I remember you singing while running about for that concert.
Minzy: The runway was so long that I ran out of breath. But I got excited unknowingly because there were so many people. I received so much energy from them.
Q. What did CEO Yang Hyun-suk say of your new song?
Sandara: He isn’t good at saying sweet things. So he doesn’t express [his emotions] directly but he is always there for us.
Q. 2NE1 always get mentioned alongside YG Entertainment. In a way, maybe this means you’re tied to the image?
CL: That’s not true. Our boss doesn’t force a certain style of us. He rather tries do pull out what’s within us. I think of YG as a crew. Our stylists and every member of the staff are all members of YG. You can’t make an album by yourself. It’s good to have good people by our side.
Q. What do you think of Teddy who’s the most important songwriter at YG?
CL: There are various charms to him. He always listens to a lot of music and more than anything, he’s always trying to improve. He is always looking beyond and forward. More than anything, his music is sincere.
Q. It’s been four years since you’ve debuted so in a way, you’re seniors.
CL: We’re still rookie singers. We still feel like rookies because we were on a close to two-year break. We’re comfortable with doing concerts but still feel uncomfortable with going on television. We haven’t been on a lot of variety shows so far but I think we will this time. We want to be more approachable to fans.
Q. Are there any variety shows you want to go on?
CL: I want to go on “Impossible?! Possible! The Unlimited Challenge!” but I’m not confident of being funny. I think it’d be nice to go on a talk show if I were given the chance to.
Minzy: I’m confident with my physical strength. I’d like to go on “Running Man” because I like sports.
Sandara: I’m not good at talking so I’d like to go on a romantic program like “Just Married.” When I get lonely, I tell myself it would be nice to go on those shows.
Q. A lot of idol groups go on “SNL Korea” these days to change their image. Would you consider it too?
Sandara: I think it would be fun. I think I’d do well with skits.
Q. Most members of idol groups pursue acting too. Don’t you want to as well?
CL: I don’t think we’ve had the chance to. Even last year, we were overseas the whole time because we went on tour right after we got done promoting our album. Right now, I just can’t wait to have people listen to our new music.
Q. Well, reality is that idol groups need to pursue acting or go on variety shows to maintain presence in the industry. But your song “Falling in Love” topped music charts even when you don’t usually appear on TV. What do you think is your secret?
CL: I think the only thing I could say is that it’s because our music is good since we haven’t even started promoting the song on TV yet. We were worried that the public might have forgotten about us so we were surprised when we topped music charts.
Sandara: We’re so grateful. I still can’t believe we were in first place. I can’t wait to say hello to fans on stage.
Q. It seems that YG doesn’t make its artists go on variety shows as much as other agencies do. I think YG helps you focus on your music.
CL: That’s right. I like that we can be ourselves yet improve. It’s a place where we can exhibit our creativity.
Q. Wonder Girls’ member Sun got married recently. Don’t you want to marry too?
Sandara: People who get married around me seem so pretty and happy but marriage isn’t real for me yet because I’m not even dating anyone.
Q. Then you should. I heard you’re allowed to date someone starting last year.
Sandara: Yes but nothing’s happening.
Q. Who do you think will get married the earliest?
(All point to CL)
CL: I think I’d be able to get married right away if I met someone good.
Sandara: I think CL would be able to do a great job of leading both her life as a singer and wife.
Q. Sandara and Bom, how does it feel to be in your thirties (Korean age)?
Sandara: I don’t feel any change. I still feel like I’m 20. I still feel awkward when I receive those questions. And I’m still technically 28.
Bom: I still feel like I’m in high school. I don’t think anything has changed except for the fact that I’m aging.
Q. Sandara, what’s your secret to looking young?
Sandara: Nothing in particular. Maybe just getting along well with younger people?
Q. If you each had to choose a love song of yours that you related to the most, what would it be?
Bom: For me, “Slow.” I actually cried while singing it by thinking of when I was young. The director had asked me to sing it sadly as well but the sad emotions really welled up inside me.
Minzy: I’d like to choose “Falling in Love.” It’s sad that I have to sing this song when I’ve never dated anyone before.
Sandara: There are two songs. “I Don’t Care” is amazing in how well it expresses a woman’s emotions. And the situations such as another woman’s lipstick on the collar of her man’s shirt or hearing a woman’s laughter over the phone are things that could actually happen. I also related to the lyrics of “Lonely.” Feeling lonely even when you have someone.
CL: For me it’s “You and I” and “Lonely.” There are times when you’re with your lover, or even your family, but you’ll feel lonely, right? “Lonely” expresses that emotion so well. And “You and I” seems sad although it’s about being in love.
Q. G-Dragon will come out next month and then Taeyang in September. So you will all be pursuing your activities at the same time. How do you think you’d feel if you all were up for first place on music shows?
CL: We’d be happy whoever gets first place. Because we’re family.
Reporter: Kwon Seok Jung moribe@tenasia.co.kr
Translator: Jessica Kim
Source: TENASIA 1 & 2
Q. This is your first song in a year.
CL: We released “I Love You” a year ago but it’ll be close to the first time in two years that we’re fully resuming our activities. We had craved to go on stage with a new song. While working on our new songs, we said we should try to work as hard as we did before we released “Fire.”
Sandara Park (Sandara): It’s almost feels like we’re debuting again. It’s exciting.
Gong Minzy (Minzy): We’ve waited for a new song as much as our fans have.
Park Bom (Bom): We were craving the stage so much to the point that we had to beg our CEO Yang Hyun-suk. And I’m not usually the begging type (laughs).
Q. You went on a break after going on your world tour last year. How have you been?
Bom: I went back to being like a trainee, taking lessons from a singing teacher, and I also bought different items.
Minzy: Sandara and I worked out a lot.
Sandara: I was trying to make pretty abs but I worked out so hard that they’re starting to turn into manly abs. I shouldn’t have worked out as hard. I’m regretting it now (laughs).
Q. Minzy, you’re 20 now (Korean age).
Minzy: I’m the youngest on the team so the fact that I’m 20 hasn’t hit me yet. I made an attempt at being cute in the music video for our new song “Falling in Love” to show that I’m 20.
Q. The pink wig you wore in the music video left a strong impression.
Minzy: I told my stylist that I want to try wearing a pink wig. I have a habit of collecting photos of things I want to try out. And pink hair was one of them.
Q. “Falling in Love” is a reggae tune that fits the summer.
CL: It’s a mix of reggae and hip-hop. It’s dynamic. And while the verse that Minzy sings is easy-going, the hook is lively. There’s the most hip-hop to the rap and the part that Sandara sings has the most reggae. Reggae is a new genre for us so it was fun coming up with the dance for it as well.
Q. The songs you’ve sung in the past are far from singing about songs that other love songs usually do. But the lyrics to your song this time are cheerful and lovable. Doesn’t it feel awkward?
CL: For us, it actually feels like it’s the first time we’re singing a normal love song. There was “I Love You” as well but that was about a woman who is clingy. We mostly sang of songs telling the guy to back off so we’re finally singing a normal love song.
Q. A lot of other girl groups go with lovable images. Have you ever imagined yourself doing that?
CL: We’re trying to be lovable in our own way. So you saying that hurts (laughs). We tried hard to seem more cheerful this time.
Q. I understand that Teddy made the song. What was your first impression of it?
CL: To be more precise, it’s a song that Teddy and Choice37 made together. Choice37 is the person that made G-Dragon and Lee Hi’s songs. We originally did some rapping using “Falling in Love” as the intro to a performance we gave for “I Love You” last year.
Sandara: I got hooked to it as soon as I heard it. Minzy’s part in particular made me feel like I’m at the beach.
Minzy: I’m the type that dances upon hearing music so the song made me want to dance.
Q. Your new song is like a song for the beach. Have you been to the beach recently?
CL: I suddenly feel sad. The last time we went to the beach is… When?
Sandara: It’s been over a year. I went to the Philippines for a photo shoot so I got to work and play as well then but I haven’t been able to go since.
Q. You recently went on stage for Snoop Dogg’s concert in Korea. And he recently released a reggae album titled “Reincarnated” under the name Snoop Lion. Have you listened to the album by any chance?
CL: Snoop Dog made the album by learning reggae directly in Jamaica. And I’ve liked him for a long time. It was fun getting to perform with him and it was good because we got to talk to him a lot.
Q. Of the numerous girl groups in Korea, you probably differentiate yourselves the most in terms of style. Is there anything in particular you did this time around as well to differentiate yourself?
CL: We’ve been true to ourselves rather than trying to be different. And we’re returning [to the music scene] for the first time in a while so we just want to stay true to ourselves rather than trying to show a new side to us. We recorded a lot of songs whenever we have time, during the past two years so we can’t wait to have you hear them. Our style and wardrobe will depend on the song.
Q. How many new songs do you have so far? I understand that you’ll be releasing a new song every month and then release an entire album in the end.
CL: It’s the way in which we released our mini-album last year as well. We started with “Lonely,” then “Ugly,” “Hate You,” and “I Am The Best” before releasing the album itself. As of now, we have enough new songs to release two studio albums. We’re planning on releasing a new song every month and releasing an album in October. We haven’t decided on whether it’ll be a studio album or a mini-album.
Q. What did the rest of you think of CL’s “The Baddest Female”?
Bom: It was like a new world to me. She pulled it off so well that I became a fan.
Q. I think the energies that you experienced on your world tour must’ve influenced how you worked on your new album.
CL: We wanted to release an album with the energy we got from our concerts as soon as we were done [with our world tour] but we weren’t able to. There’ll be a lot for us to show once we get on stage since we’ve been holding ourselves back.
Q. A video clip of you guys performing at a club in Mexico in the past was popular in Korea at one point. I think people in South America must like you.
CL: Brazil is actually the country overseas where we have our second largest fanbase. I think they like us because our songs are hot and passionate.
Q. You give off an extreme amount of energy when you perform live. Are there any performances you’ve given recently that are memorable?
Sandara: PSY’s concert at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul was memorable because there were so many people there. You rarely get to perform in front of so many people. We got so excited that we had as much fun as we could.
Q. Minzy, I remember you singing while running about for that concert.
Minzy: The runway was so long that I ran out of breath. But I got excited unknowingly because there were so many people. I received so much energy from them.
Q. What did CEO Yang Hyun-suk say of your new song?
Sandara: He isn’t good at saying sweet things. So he doesn’t express [his emotions] directly but he is always there for us.
Q. 2NE1 always get mentioned alongside YG Entertainment. In a way, maybe this means you’re tied to the image?
CL: That’s not true. Our boss doesn’t force a certain style of us. He rather tries do pull out what’s within us. I think of YG as a crew. Our stylists and every member of the staff are all members of YG. You can’t make an album by yourself. It’s good to have good people by our side.
Q. What do you think of Teddy who’s the most important songwriter at YG?
CL: There are various charms to him. He always listens to a lot of music and more than anything, he’s always trying to improve. He is always looking beyond and forward. More than anything, his music is sincere.
Q. It’s been four years since you’ve debuted so in a way, you’re seniors.
CL: We’re still rookie singers. We still feel like rookies because we were on a close to two-year break. We’re comfortable with doing concerts but still feel uncomfortable with going on television. We haven’t been on a lot of variety shows so far but I think we will this time. We want to be more approachable to fans.
Q. Are there any variety shows you want to go on?
CL: I want to go on “Impossible?! Possible! The Unlimited Challenge!” but I’m not confident of being funny. I think it’d be nice to go on a talk show if I were given the chance to.
Minzy: I’m confident with my physical strength. I’d like to go on “Running Man” because I like sports.
Sandara: I’m not good at talking so I’d like to go on a romantic program like “Just Married.” When I get lonely, I tell myself it would be nice to go on those shows.
Q. A lot of idol groups go on “SNL Korea” these days to change their image. Would you consider it too?
Sandara: I think it would be fun. I think I’d do well with skits.
Q. Most members of idol groups pursue acting too. Don’t you want to as well?
CL: I don’t think we’ve had the chance to. Even last year, we were overseas the whole time because we went on tour right after we got done promoting our album. Right now, I just can’t wait to have people listen to our new music.
Q. Well, reality is that idol groups need to pursue acting or go on variety shows to maintain presence in the industry. But your song “Falling in Love” topped music charts even when you don’t usually appear on TV. What do you think is your secret?
CL: I think the only thing I could say is that it’s because our music is good since we haven’t even started promoting the song on TV yet. We were worried that the public might have forgotten about us so we were surprised when we topped music charts.
Sandara: We’re so grateful. I still can’t believe we were in first place. I can’t wait to say hello to fans on stage.
Q. It seems that YG doesn’t make its artists go on variety shows as much as other agencies do. I think YG helps you focus on your music.
CL: That’s right. I like that we can be ourselves yet improve. It’s a place where we can exhibit our creativity.
Q. Wonder Girls’ member Sun got married recently. Don’t you want to marry too?
Sandara: People who get married around me seem so pretty and happy but marriage isn’t real for me yet because I’m not even dating anyone.
Q. Then you should. I heard you’re allowed to date someone starting last year.
Sandara: Yes but nothing’s happening.
Q. Who do you think will get married the earliest?
(All point to CL)
CL: I think I’d be able to get married right away if I met someone good.
Sandara: I think CL would be able to do a great job of leading both her life as a singer and wife.
Q. Sandara and Bom, how does it feel to be in your thirties (Korean age)?
Sandara: I don’t feel any change. I still feel like I’m 20. I still feel awkward when I receive those questions. And I’m still technically 28.
Bom: I still feel like I’m in high school. I don’t think anything has changed except for the fact that I’m aging.
Q. Sandara, what’s your secret to looking young?
Sandara: Nothing in particular. Maybe just getting along well with younger people?
Q. If you each had to choose a love song of yours that you related to the most, what would it be?
Bom: For me, “Slow.” I actually cried while singing it by thinking of when I was young. The director had asked me to sing it sadly as well but the sad emotions really welled up inside me.
Minzy: I’d like to choose “Falling in Love.” It’s sad that I have to sing this song when I’ve never dated anyone before.
Sandara: There are two songs. “I Don’t Care” is amazing in how well it expresses a woman’s emotions. And the situations such as another woman’s lipstick on the collar of her man’s shirt or hearing a woman’s laughter over the phone are things that could actually happen. I also related to the lyrics of “Lonely.” Feeling lonely even when you have someone.
CL: For me it’s “You and I” and “Lonely.” There are times when you’re with your lover, or even your family, but you’ll feel lonely, right? “Lonely” expresses that emotion so well. And “You and I” seems sad although it’s about being in love.
Q. G-Dragon will come out next month and then Taeyang in September. So you will all be pursuing your activities at the same time. How do you think you’d feel if you all were up for first place on music shows?
CL: We’d be happy whoever gets first place. Because we’re family.
Reporter: Kwon Seok Jung moribe@tenasia.co.kr
Translator: Jessica Kim
Source: TENASIA 1 & 2
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2013-07-10 08:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 08:47 pm (UTC)Minji 1994
Cl 1991
Bom and Dara 1984
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Date: 2013-07-11 12:13 am (UTC)Most of the girls aim to debut when they're in middle school.
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Date: 2013-07-11 12:42 am (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2013-07-10 08:50 pm (UTC)bom barely was in this invterview. but it's nice that she took singing lessons again. i wonder how she sounds like live now.
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Date: 2013-07-10 09:40 pm (UTC)LOL...I have been saying she need to go get some again for YEARS...I feel happy
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Date: 2013-07-11 04:54 am (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2013-07-10 10:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-11 05:01 am (UTC)what's the catchno subject
Date: 2013-07-10 09:50 pm (UTC)Hold up...CL said they have enough songs for TWO studio albums but they are still deciding if it's going to be a mini album or studio album?
Glad Bom went back to get some vocal lessons...her technique needs work for the lives...why didn't Dara go too?
Only Minji wants to go on Running Man...they are going to be hating life LOL
I love that Dara was like, "Technically I'm only 28." That's right honey because I'm 83 line with Heechul and I'm still 29 until next month...none of this extra age stuff Korea does.
Minji was such a baby when they debuted so I can kind of understand YG opposing Ero-Minji so much but he should have let her go two years ago because CL was dressing crazy at 18 too.
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Date: 2013-07-10 10:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-11 12:03 am (UTC)Okay...so they are promoting a year old song first...makes me wonder how old all these songs are
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Date: 2013-07-10 11:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-11 12:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 10:23 pm (UTC)this bitch
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Date: 2013-07-10 10:45 pm (UTC)Sandara: He isn’t good at saying sweet things.
HE'S A GODDAMN CRUSTY ASSHOLE TBH
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Date: 2013-07-10 10:52 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2013-07-11 04:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 10:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 10:53 pm (UTC)my mind went dirty right there. get it, bommie
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Date: 2013-07-11 12:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-11 04:06 am (UTC)omg. i wonder how many of these will actually see the light of day.
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Date: 2013-07-11 05:09 am (UTC)Also Bom Bom Bom Bom Bom
That is all.
Oh yeah, and Minzy had better be exposing more skin this round of promotions.