2NE1: Looking back at 2009

[vvvanilla.livejournal.com]

“Edgy” 2NE1, will they continue their “big hit” trend in 2010?
2009, a year when girl power swept through the Korean music scene, a 4 member girl group, 2NE1, with a different concept than [of the] typical girl group came into the Korean Music scene.

In 2009 new girl groups such as 4minute, Secret, Rainbow, F(x), T-ara, etc debuted saying that they would ‘appeal [the public] with a different color than that of the typical girl groups [of the past]’ but none of them have been able to show as much difference as 2NE1.

2NE1 was not to be belittled from the start. These girls were a hot topic on the internet café’s with the title “female Big Bang” long before they debuted. And on top of that, this female idol group was created by Big Bang’s company, YG Entertainment.

Each member also gained much attention. Sandara Park (27 years old) was as famous [in the Phillippines] known to be the ‘Philippine Boa’, Park Bom (27 years old) worked together with Lee Hyori and Lee Junki during the AnyCall CF. The youngest Gong Minzy (17 years old) gained attention by being the granddaughter of a [famous] Korean traditional dancer Gong Ok-Jin and although young, CL (20 years old) the leader called much attention [to herself] by having superior rapping skills.




Pretty? Cute? 2NE1 is ‘cool’
The first time the four members of the group 2NE1 were seen together was during last year March at the “Lollipop” MV with Big Bang. These girls showed their eye-catching charms in the “Lollipop” MV and even before they formally debuted became phone CF models.

And then in April, with the release of their first single ‘Fire’ they formally entered into the Korean Music industry. YG’s main producer and 1TYM member, Teddy, wrote and composed the song ‘Fire’ which had a reggae, fast hip-hop, and an edgy feel to it which left quite an impression.

On stage, 2NE1 received comments more like “so much charisma”, “they are so powerful” rather than “Pretty”, “Cute”, “Adorable”. Leader CL’s unusual charisma for her age and youngest Minzy’s powerful dance moves took over the stage.

And not even a month after their debut, 2NE1 took first place in music programs. Following that, their mini album “I Don’t Care” released in July swept first place(s) and continued their ‘bit hit’ trend. “I Don’t Care” is a medium tempo, R&B pop song that showed a softer side of 2NE1 to their fans.

2NE1 also increased their popularity with a guerilla/pirate show “2NE1 TV” on MNet which showed them for 24 hours of a day. Especially, 2NE1’s willingness to show themselves with no special get up unlike the other girl groups gained them much fame and now they are one of the girl groups with more girl fans than boy fans.

2NE1’s rapid advance showed in the advertisement world as well. In one season 2NE1 modeled for cell phones, many Online shopping malls, ice-cream, sports wear brands, etc and soon became the advertisement word’s blue-chip. Advertising companies said 2NE1’s distinctive concept made them the most wanted.

2NE1 rose to the top of the Korean Music Industry with their distinctive colors/styles. And last November 21st at MAMA they made their name known. ---

On that day 2NE1 won 4 trophies; ‘Best New Female Artist’, ‘Best MV’, ‘Best Song’, and ‘Music Portal Mnet Award’. 2NE1 with [their 4 trophies] said ‘Thank you for this great stage and such great awards’ with tears of joy.



Four people, Four Colors….Solo activities too.
The first member of 2NE1 to start solo careers was Sandara Park. Sandara Park released a single “Kiss” last September and announced the start of her solo career. Although she did not take part in any music programs, [she] took first place in many. Also [she] got selected as a beer brand model and worked side by side with actor Lee Min-Ho and gained much attention with a sensational kiss [scene].

The second member was Park Bom. With an appealing voice and talent acknowledged [by others] Park Bom released her single ‘You and I’ last October, which she had dreamed of ever since entering as a YGtrainee.

After that, CL and Minzy ‘Please Don’t Go’ was released. Park Bom, CL and Minzy each swept up 1st places in music charts. 2NE1 set a record with all its member’s having successful solo careers not even 1year after their debut.



2010, 2NE1’s plans?
In 2010 Lee Hyori, Seven, Kim Jong-Gook, Yoon Mi-Rae, Yang-Pa, etc high quality solo artists will make a come back. Also the groups that raised much interest last year like 2PM, 2AM, Son Dambi, Seo InYoung, Kara, SNSD, Brown Eyed Girls will come back with new albums. 2NE1 is no exception.

The members of 2NE1, after being immersed in solo activities for a while, will come together again with their music and on stages for their fans. It will be interesting to see if 2NE1 will be able to get stronger within the Korean music industry which has become much tougher.







source: sstv
translated by: lovesong @ ygsecret21

/sorry, mods. thanks! :)

Comments

[xperfect-lines.livejournal.com]

I love these girls soooo much and I wish them all the best! I can't wait for their album! :D

[akaich0u.livejournal.com]

Yay looking forward to more music from them :D But isn't Minji Gong Ok-jin's granddaughter, not niece?

also imo the sandara-boa comparison is too kind lol....

[xperfect-lines.livejournal.com]

lol it's more of how she was able to be soooo successful in another country, just like how BoA was able to be a huge hit in Japan. It's not really the matter of talent, because despite being a huge Dara fan, I know she isn't really that good :D

[akaich0u.livejournal.com]

Ah, gotcha. In that case it's a relevant comparison :D

[vvvanilla.livejournal.com]

edited it. thanks! :)

[xcherryblossomx.livejournal.com]

~Sensational kiss~[scene]?? LMAO
THAT WAS ONE LAME KDRAMA STYLE KISS~

LOOKING BACK AT 2004

[neyoismad.livejournal.com]

Oh Dara gurl, it seems like yesterday when I was wasting my money just to vote for you.
I'm so proud of you. <3

Re: LOOKING BACK AT 2004

[xperfect-lines.livejournal.com]

omg gurl I feel the same way ;_____; I feel really proud since I was able to see her on SCQ <3 Seeing her become so successful and accepted makes me happy :3 She deserves it :D

Re: LOOKING BACK AT 2004

[neyoismad.livejournal.com]

MAHAL KO KAYO! *Does Dara wave* *sobs* *sobs* *sobs*

SANdara<3

Re: LOOKING BACK AT 2004

[xperfect-lines.livejournal.com]

OMG YESSSS!! :D I was still so young when she got popular but I still feel so proud~~

Mahal ko kayoooo~ /does Sandara wave

Re: LOOKING BACK AT 2004

[neyoismad.livejournal.com]

Oh dara<3333
SCQ<3333
Herosan<3333

Re: LOOKING BACK AT 2004

[xperfect-lines.livejournal.com]

OMG HeroSan!! I swear I fell in love with those two back then~ :D

Re: LOOKING BACK AT 2004

[readyforever.livejournal.com]

oh my god, the dude's comments are making me crack up so much.

Wave ka parin dapat!...

lol dies.

Re: LOOKING BACK AT 2004

[paperlet.livejournal.com]

whoa. she like de-aged. it's really weird

Re: LOOKING BACK AT 2004

[electrogirlluna.livejournal.com]

Omg she's so cuuuuute

[tees2mai.livejournal.com]

they made a mistake. Minji is Gong Ok-jin's granddaughter

other than that, I'm so proud of the girls. hope their new album gets released soon

[vvvanilla.livejournal.com]

thanks! corrected it :)

[radical-ed57.livejournal.com]

Yes~! ♥

[szayel-in-love.livejournal.com]

Phillipeans -->this is my first time to come accross this word,. it should be Philippines/Filipinos.. but anyway, i love 2ne1.. go darah!..

[vvvanilla.livejournal.com]

sorry, edited it! :)

[szayel-in-love.livejournal.com]

thank you for editing it bb~

[diamondbox.livejournal.com]

idky but the age thing is bothering me, isn't Minzy 15? or by now, 16? CL 19. Bom 24 and Dara like 25?

[tyraaa.livejournal.com]

yah since when was minji 17...

[vags0up.livejournal.com]

Korean ages always throw me off. How exactly do they work? o_o

[godchild1134.livejournal.com]

Koreans believe that they are already one year old even if they were just born

[xcherryblossomx.livejournal.com]

To be honest Minzy and CL seem more mature than Bom and Dara...

[vags0up.livejournal.com]

Personality or looks wise? Looks wise, at first I thought CL was the oldest and Dara was the youngest lol. And I thought it was insane that Minji was just 15. To me, she looked about as old as Bom & Dara, 10 years her senior.

[electrogirlluna.livejournal.com]

Isn't Bom older than Dara?

[violuticcio.livejournal.com]

yup, she's 8 months older than her.

[crazyxcami.livejournal.com]

Minzy turned 17 this year KOREAN AGE.
idk ITS wierd but she did announce on Me2day that she's 17 now.

[rencode.livejournal.com]

NGL, all I read was "2010", "Yoon Mi-Rae" and "comeback."

Sorry 2NE1. I love them and I wish them even more success but it's hard to be excited about anything else but T's return. xD

[siaht.livejournal.com]

I hope they'll swipe off the charts and awards this year. I want them to become the queens of k-pop *which to me they already are* with their real power and talent. And yes, I'm looking at you SNSD.

[walnuuut.livejournal.com]

SANDARA'S 27???? DANG

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

Just by Korean age. By western age she's still 25 (26 in next November).

[p-jae.livejournal.com]

God, I never thought a girl group would become my favourite kpop group & take over my 'ultimate' Big Bang bias.

I'm so proud of my girls >.< Especially you CL~ <3

[onerainysunday.livejournal.com]

~EDGY~

[neo-valkyrie.livejournal.com]

I'm really looking forward to seeing what they do next. They should come back with 2NE1 TV too!

[gummylovesme.livejournal.com]

Dara=Philippine BoA. LOLLING FOREVER XD. Anyways, even though I'm not a big fan, to deny their impact to Kpop is stupid. Well, people might say they're overrated, but the fact that they carried their image well is already remarkable, even if others say they aren't as talented as others. I'm really happy for them. Heck, they even show 2NE1TV here (Phils)

[https://users.livejournal.com/--slasher/]

girls need to bring their A game once they come back. with the temporary hiatus, and the rule about not appearing on variety shows, 4minute is, at this point, the tortoise, while 2ne1 is the hare.


and the tortoise is getting awfully close. blow them out of the water like you did before, girls!

[a-perfect-shade.livejournal.com]

ia 100%. the problem is YG's dumbass policies. they're not going to come on variety shows or anything, and they need to promote themselves in every way possible, because all the competition right now is no joke.

[albeitalways.livejournal.com]

haha idk. yg is just full of surprises. like those i don't care promotions. i thought they were going to get shoved in favor of the more upbeat songs but wtf. ah well, we'll see what happens later in the year.

EXCUSE ME BUT

[kuroxkitsunex3.livejournal.com]

"In 2010 Lee Hyori, Seven, Kim Jong-Gook, Yoon Mi-Rae, Yang-Pa, etc high quality solo artists will make a come back."
IM SO EXCITED.

[cookie-nut.livejournal.com]

I'm just excited for this year, period. :D

And congrats to the girls for doing so well in 2009. Full album NOW, please!

[hellodee16.livejournal.com]

this. :)

[skytears9.livejournal.com]

So proud of these girls. ♥♥

I will never forget my surprise when I first saw Sandara pop up in YG. xDD I was like, "Wait, what's she doing there?" haha

[albeitalways.livejournal.com]

i've never stanned this hard for any girl group before. not even the snsd crazed days. despite all the wtf-ery and mishaps last year had brought, these girls have proved time and again why they're worth stanning for.

[gdlovesbee.livejournal.com]

this