2NE1 Interview: “There is no other group like us in the world.”

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

Powerful girl group 2NE1 released their 2nd full album “CRUSH” saying “Now, we’ve crossed such a high mountain,” and strictly evaluated the process.

On the 14th, in a hotel in Yeouido, 2NE1 attended an interview as a commemoration of their 2nd full album’s release. The members said “Wherever you go in the world, you can’t find a girl group like this,” not hiding their confidence. CL participating in song-writing for their new album “CRUSH,” she’s also became a hot topic. Additionally, they expressed, “The 2 years of preparation is like that of thirst being quenched.”

Below is the question and answer portion.

Q: First, what are your thoughts of your comeback?
CL: We’ve prepared for this album for almost more than 4 years. Our 1st full album included some of our singles, but this time, it’s all new songs. It’s somewhat like it’s our actual 1st full album. We recorded a lot og songs and slowly prepared for it. There were frustrations, but it felt like our thirst was quenched.

Q: 2NE1 can’t be imitated. Your comeback being on the same time as SNSD become a topic.
CL: We started preparing for our March world tour since last year. Our first tour didn’t have any new songs and it wasn’t a weakness. We regretted that a lot so this time, we made sure that we include new songs and carry on with our tour. We actually thought of starting around February, but it was meticulously decided upon.

Q: What are your thoughts about SNSD?
CL: To us, they are our sunbaes (seniors). Being a girl group who’s been receiving lots of love for a long time is very cool. We want to be like that. We, 2NE1, feel that we’ve crossed a high mountain, but I thought that those sunbaes have done that many times. That is cool, too. Also, because they are active in variety of categories, that’s cool as well. Because we are a girl group that really want to show girl power, I hope that both groups do well.

Q: How do you think of SNSD songs and stage?
Sandara: I felt that both team’s colors are very different. They showed us a stage that we can’t do.

Q: The comeback was delayed to match CL’s birthday.
CL: This time, we felt really touched by Sajangnim (CEO YG). Last year, it was very difficult, but Sajangnim cheered on us a lot. I happen to start composing since December of last year only for fun, but Sajangnim really strictly monitored it. I wrote English songs because I wasn’t very confident with Korean, Sajangnim advised me to change it to Korean. Also, he was the one who gave us “CRUSH” as our album name.

Q: You started composing since December of last year. Do you have any more songs?
CL: That’s right. Composing is like a diary for me. I made a lot of songs, but only songs that match 2NE1 were loaded in the album.

Q: It seems that CL’s contribution to 2NE1 is the biggest. What are the other members’ roles?
CL: We made this album, I wrote songs, and all four of us recorded together, bringing us even closer to each other. They are people who are in the same boat as me, not enemies. Right now, my role might be the biggest, but on other aspects, it changes. I know that without each other, it wouldn’t be as good, so I’m very thankful to them. It was also our first time recording with just us, with no direction. It was a new experience.
Sandara: Although CL is also a member, she’s great. Even for stage performances, she’s the one who arranges which song fits each members. I really like that the four of us is like a puzzle that’s complete only when us four is there.
Minzy: We each have our own imperfection, so we help each other cover those up. There’s a member who writes, a member who acts well in music videos, and a member who has soulful vocals. Each of us have our own individual roles.
CL: On stage, Minzy is the most reliable. She is very consistent on stage, so she becomes someone we can lean on.

Q: These past 2 years, what are your improvements?
CL: Just like how I happen to start composing since December of last year, I don’t know what I will be doing in the future. It seems like a natural process. Before, we would say, “we want to enjoy the stage.” But now, we know the recipe of enjoying a stage. Looking back from the past 2 years, we are reminded of our trainee days. Although we went through those 2 years of not being active, we still had improvements. For example, Sandara-unni got abs.
Sandara: I love challenging new things. I’ve been challenging unique hairstyles, but this time, I wanted to show something new, so I tried gaining abs. Whatever I do seems to be cute and this time, I wanted to express wildness. I started this abs project since January for 2 months in order to show it during our concert opening song “CRUSH,” and I was able to complete in time for the concert, so I feel very proud. I’m still thinking if I will maintain my abs.
CL: (Sandara) Unni is someone who really loves ramen, but she even cut that off.

Q: What about dating. Compared to other girl groups, it seems that you’ve totally forgotten about dating.
CL: I agree. We did forget about it totally. (laughs)

Q: Why aren’t you dating?
Bom: I (or we) haven’t had to chance to.
CL: There’s a lot of oppas (older guys) in the YG, and I don’t think it’s good being very close to them. They tell us, “you shouldn’t do this,” and they sometimes treat us conservatively like younger sisters. The members rarely go outside, so I think that’s the reason why.
Sandara: I’m really thinking about it, but it seems that Sajangnim and the other sunbaes in YG are more worried that I am. That worry needs to decrease (or disappear) soon.
CL: All of us are seriously worried.

Q: 2NE1 is always compared to SNSD. What kind of group can you be compared to?
CL: There is no other group like 2NE1. I’m confident about that. Each members have their own color, and we have this taste that other groups don’t. I can say that with confidence.

Q: Other girl groups are usually viewed as pretty or sexy, but only 2NE1 is usually known to have individuality. Does this make you sad?
CL: Not at all. I like it. We’ve realized so many things this time, that being completely honest to yourself is the best. We are like the color red, if we try to be blue, we feel heavy pressure. But because we try to be more red, it’s better. We promised to keep it like that.

Q: Also, 2NE1′s style is shocking as usual.
Sandara: This time, I’m sporting this half-half hairstyle, which is inspired from chicken. It’s because I always order half-seasoned, half-fried chicken. (laughs)
Minzy: That bobbed-hairstyle that I’ve always had is now changed into long hair, and I’m thankful that it suits me well. I’ve always been wearing baggy t-shirt and leggings, but nowadays, I wear jeans/pants.

Q: It’s been a long time since you’ve been active, were there any complications?
CL: There were times when we were frustrated, but as soon as the album was out, it was gone. We’ve grown much closer to each other. We feel that we really did cross a high mountain. We aren’t the type to say, “I’m tired.” We all endure the pain and do what we have to do. We’ve successfully came this far because of that.

Q: Is the crisis between the audience and the result?
CL: No. Because we’re a group, it involves ALL of us.

Q: Now that you’ve started composing, there’s a possibility of you becoming the main producer?
CL: It was fun writing songs and recording. It takes me twice the time and it’s difficult but fun. However, Teddy-oppa really helped me out a lot. Teddy-oppa is like our 5th member, so in the future, I just want to compose and include maybe 1~2 songs.

Q: In the future, what kind of mountains does 2NE1 want to cross over.
CL: Hmm, we’re not sure. We’re probably approaching that mountain unknowingly. I wish that each moment goes by well. We want to do good for a long time. For now, our goal is to have a tour encore concert in Seoul. Looking back at it, for us, there’s nothing else that’s as fun as a concert.

Source: OSEN
Translated by CLassifiedKJOP@ygladies.com

Comments

[imienazwisko.livejournal.com]

I made a lot of songs, but only songs that match 2NE1 were loaded in the album.

i want to listen to the rest of them but i dont think im ready to wait x years for her solo album if it ever sees the light

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

That title will bring in the viewers lol.

I like 2ne1's image though. Maybe at times it can be alittle out there but in kpop everything is exaggerated so they're not the only ones who are somewhat like a caricature.

[jeugd1.livejournal.com]

They didn't lie

[burqaswag.livejournal.com]

#nolies #truthonly

[yakuniku-8.livejournal.com]

yeah both groups are different and can't be compared. snsd can't do what 2ne1 does and 2ne1 can't do what snsd does. now, crazy fans move on, you are just falling in the agencies trap.

[erbalurbal.livejournal.com]

So the only question bom answered was the dating one lol.

[kaykaydelight.livejournal.com]

Lol her priorities

[fireandbread.livejournal.com]

Haha :) poor bom though, she's mentioned before that she sucks at communicating even in Korean

[kaykaydelight.livejournal.com]

I love 2NE1 interviews so much, they're so humble<3 But can we please talk about this :
On stage, Minzy is the most reliable. She is very consistent on stage, so she becomes someone we can lean on.
Lmaoooooo I can't @ how aware CL is. Y'all know this was also low key shade at Bom xD

[theemii.livejournal.com]

Kinda feel sorry for CL that have to carry the entire group in interviews like can't the other 3 open their mouth and talk?

[lazmy.livejournal.com]

does the media care enough about the other three and their opinions?
not trying to be cute/jw

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

You know in this interview CL was sending a message that 2NE1 is a group and all members matter and have their own purpose...

They also seem to be highly aware of the issues like the first tour with no songs and people trying to isolate her from the group. I also see the acknowledgement that Maknae Minzy is the most reliable vocal and emphasizing that SNSD doing well doesn't hurt them since they have different audiences.

Dude...we know all of you are dating...

Good effort on trying to get the others to talk CL LOL

[line-genrou.livejournal.com]

They try way too hard.

[150daysoffall.livejournal.com]

[bunica1990.livejournal.com]

dat title

[suxaholic.livejournal.com]

thank god this was a good interview. the post title had me worried

[fireandbread.livejournal.com]

Same thoughts about the title. I felt like there might be a reaction like when CL said that Koreans are the most passionate singers lol.

Even after their comeback, I can't go into 2ne1 posts without expecting something to happen

[queenhinata.livejournal.com]

I made a lot of songs, but only songs that match 2NE1 were loaded in the album.
i'd like to hear those songs *^*

[ohlookshiny.livejournal.com]

i'm a bit sick of the whole yg schtick of 'we're so unique and different!!' so i did roll my eyes at the title but in context the comment was totally fine. i'm really tired of the whole girl group vs girl group thing (why only girl group showdowns and not boy band ones?) but i like the way cl answered all the questions about snsd. the comparisons must be super annoying.

she was totally accurate with what she said about minzy's consistency on live stages too, girl know's what's up.

[crazyxcami.livejournal.com]

Maybe this is just my biased mind talking, but isn't there some kind of truth in it tho? In music shows/award shows/festivals you can always pinpoint which is a performance by a YG Group and which isn't amongst their peers, same goes for music videos. From fashion down to the actual dynamics of the members and how they do performances...I won't deny that the company is milking the shit out of that brand and that can truly get annoying but that doesn't mean it's not true either?

The same can be said with SM & JYP...each company and their idols has their own "code" for the lack of better word.

[atopworld.livejournal.com]

I'm put off that the interviewer or whatever is obviously fishing for CL to say something that could be mistaken about SNSD. I get the purpose, but I don't like it.

[fireandbread.livejournal.com]

I feel like a lot of reporters and radio hosts in Korea are like sneakily passive aggressive in getting something newsworthy lol

So thirsty

[21banged.livejournal.com]

Was Bom not there or..? I wish she'd talk a little more, the stuff she says is usually comic gold :<

I loved how down to earth this interview was, and CL is right lol. Most girl groups are really good at adapting and transitioning into new styles, but 2NE1 seem to have that image of fierceness and individuality. Don't get me wrong, YG/Teddy totally tried to steer them into the cutesy image last year, but it flopped hard both in terms of quality and public reaction. I like the image they've built over the years, and I hope they stick to it.

Also love how CL answered the obvious wank bait questions about SNSD. 2NE1 definitely couldn't pull off an SNSD type song, and vice versa, though personally I'd love for them to switch songs at a gayo or smth like that would be gold #21GENERATIONCOLLABplz

[luvey.livejournal.com]

i actually look forward to 2ne1 doing more of their own stuff as time goes on...hopefully Papa G will continue to loosen the reigns more and more...but he really needs to let up on CL being the center, when Minzy really has the voice.

[hagar-tammaa.livejournal.com]

I think the way it is now with CL&Minzy sharing the center more is the best for the group

[oppameansit.livejournal.com]

lol @ the title

[merylsteep.livejournal.com]

This comeback made me love and appreciate CL more, despite the Quran controversy. Even more props for recognizing Minzy's consistency and stability!

[ababobaby.livejournal.com]

ot but what do you think of yg with this statement According to YG’s website one of the reasons why 2NE1 stands out is because “their songs are based on African-American music” (http://fansagainstdiscriminationinkpop.tumblr.com/post/79523051793/haegurlhae-according-to-ygs-website-one-of-the)

[cordyceps.livejournal.com]

Receipts for YG saying that tho?

[aaalove.livejournal.com]

When comparing SNSD and 2NE1 they are very different, but CL you guys aren't that unique. Idk, that statement just irks me.

[skonka.livejournal.com]

Tough interview