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2NE1

What is the style of international-standard 2NE1? Not only are they popular in South Korea and in other Asian countries, they are also famous in Europe and the United States, where this girl group is expanding into. And now, 2NE1 has finally debuted in Japan! Let’s take a close-up look at the international style of BIG BANG’s juniors. With their strong personality, fashion fans must check this out!

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About 2NE1

“This is extremely amazing! Check out 2NE1’s activities!”

They debuted in Korea on 2009, and on that same year, during the 「Mnet Asia Music Awards」 they bagged the Artist of the Year (T/N: Actually, they won Best New Female Artist in MAMA 2009, they won Artist of the Year in MAMA 2010), and dominated when they won 3 more awards, and getting major music awards from other bodies too. And from that instant, they have been recognized as top artists, despite their rookie status.

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Self- Introduction

Here is a totally unique self-introduction!

Teach us the area where you feel that “I AM THE BEST”!!

CL: Above, on the stage.

When I’m on stage, doesn’t it seem that I just let lose everything?
I am the most confident when I am performing, and I think that I am the person who takes care of that specially.
That comes out as the part 「I AM THE BEST」 in, but normally, Chae-Rin is different from that personality. I’m usually quite shy, so CL is a totally different persona from Chae-Rin. When I stand on stage, it’s as if I totally shed that personality and immediately become CL.

DARA: Hairstyles

I think what makes me unique and makes me stand out is my hairstyles. 「Do you want a change in your hairstyle?」 I was asked that, so I decided to gather photos and see what hairstyles I’ve done, and I realized that I’ve only changed styles a little, and I think it’s something that I think I can pull off well.
To be honest, I was embarrassed about it at first. However I thought that instead of thinking about myself, it should be the thoughts on improvement and what I can give to the group. So that became my challenge and that’s where my confidence comes from when I wear them.

MINZY: A Character Who Looks Like A Boy

My “I AM THE BEST” area is that I think I can pull off looking like a boy.
I think it’s cool that I can freely look androgynous.
Although sometimes, when there’s a girls get together, it can be a sticky moment. And I didn’t like being put in that situation.
That’s why when I was a kid, I had a lot of friends who were boys and I could act well with them, there were also a lot of girls like me who have the same characteristics (T/N: meaning who were also friends with boys).
In fact, one of my hobbies is collecting Gundam figures. I have the figures of several characters already.

BOM: The gap between appearances and content

I think there’s apparently a big gap between appearances and reality. South Korea’s Office of the President said 「It’s only recently that I knew your personality」 is something that should not happen to some degree. It may seem a bit strange, but it’s a big part already. Because of the trend in Korea during our debut, where women give off an atmosphere are feminie and quiet and not really out-spoken, it seemed my image was liek that. However, in fact, I’m really nothing like that, because I’m really naturally noisy.

Part 4:

Interview

CL: It was surprising that fun, music, and fashion, co-existed so well with our personalities. I think that’s 2NE1’s style.

■ You are the first artists to debut under the newest label in Japan. Please tell me your thoughts about it.

CL: YGEX was the new label that they made, and we’re the first artists under it. Now, artists under YGEX would be more active in Japan, and I would like to think that this has been a good start.

BOM: We hope that everyone would anticipate our Japan activities from start to finish. We’re working hard with our music and performances to meet the expectations of the fans.

DARA: Because it’s a first time thing, my heart was always pounding so hard. But now, there’s a fresh feeling, and it all very fun.

MINZY: The first time I saw 2NE1 CDs being sold in a shop in Shibuya, it somehow felt strange. We’re working hard to further increase our fans’ expectations

■ BIG BANG, your seniors in the company, are already very popular in Japan, what is their presence in 2NE1?

CL: They are like our family. I think they’re like big brothers. Although they don’t always give us special talks, we know that they are like shadows who always cheer us on. We also learn a lot by going to their side and observing them. (In 2010) During BIG BANG’s tour here in Japan, we were brought along as guests. Through this experience, we learned on how it is to work in Japan.

■ Your debut album 「NOLZA」 conveys that you are a colorful group of musicians, when one listens to it. Even the meaning behind why it was titled as it was, please tell us about 2NE1’s music styles.

CL: 2NE1’s music is something that when you listen to them, you have time, and the songs speak towards the listeners like that. For the title 「NOLZA」 in Japanese it means 「아소보」 (T/N: It means let’s play either way). Ever since our debut, before we would get up on stage, we would always come together and shout 「NOLZA!」. I think that it’s our pleasure to play with the fans in Japan, so that’s why the title was like that.

■ The lyrics of 「UGLY」 talk about the complex emotions that women and teens, and it shows a great sympathy with their feelings. What do you want to convey to the Japanese girls through this song?

CL: I think the song’s lyrics is something that everyone can identify with, regardless of country or age, regardless of gender. Not only girls, but guys too, everyone has to some degree can feel conflicting emotions, and even an inferiority complex, and they blame these feelings on themselves. I think that 「UGLY」 is a song that they can listen to and get hope and confidence from, because it’s something everyone undergoes and can rise over with positive thoughts and recognition.

■ How do you cope when these kinds of feelings arise?

BOM: I overcome them when I’m on stage. When the members receive the cheers from fans, it gives us strength naturally.

CL: I listen to music. The kind of song depends on the kind of lyrics I want to listen to. When I feel sad, or when I want to have fun. Whenever I listen to songs, I feel a sense of comfort and it reduces stress a bit.

MINZY: I listen to music and dance. When I do that, it seems like my strength returns, especially during the hard days when I feel down.

DARA: As I stand on the stage, and be with the fans in person, I find strength. And of course, there’s the comforting fan mails, it’s a very large comfort that I know they’re comforting me. And recently, we’ve started raising a cat, and I find it comforting to look the cat’s photos.

■ I’d like to hear about the group’s style, what are the positions that each of the 4 members in 2NE1 holds?

CL: Dara should introduce us since she’s our Public Relations Director! He he

■ Alright then, so DARA, please introduce the members!

DARA:

CL is totally our leader. She also wraps up everything in order, and she’s also our traffic controller.

BOM is our mood maker. Though she gives a different feel in our songs, she’s really usually bright and happy, and she’s also in charge of the gag, making people happy.

MINZY is our youngest, but she’s very reliable. How do I say this?.. For example, if something happens that makes me angry, she goes 「Listen ∼!! 」 people usually go to MINZY when they have something to complain about.

CL: She’s our mother-like child 「The anger kid∼!! 」 would be the impression. Ha ha!

DARA: She’s totally reliable, and I can’t put it into words!

■ In addition, “I am this kind of person” though it’s not an obvious thing?

DARA: I am the person in charge of tissues and any ointments for wounds. If I feel like something is needed, then I bring it along, so I can give it as soon as anyone needs it.

MINZY: Well, I am the person responsible for sexy lips. Ha ha!

BOM: I don’t think I can say anything about myself. Ha ha!

■ When all four of you are together, what kind of atmosphere is created?

CL: A very noisy one, noisier than even now!

BOM: We have the great capacity to creat a lot of loud noise, CL is usually the person in charge of keeping us in line. But I never stop having fun. Ha ha!
Although it’s in our character, we are also not like that all the time. If one of us has a sad atmosphere, it gives a synergistic effect to the whole group too.

■ Indeed. Ha ha! Now to continue, I heard that 2NE1 is very into fashion. What is 2NE1’s fashion style?

CL: I think the lyrics to the song 「I AM THE BEST」 would describe 2NE1’s costumes, which I think is the best. When it comes to us, whether it’s fashion, music, or our costumes, it’s always our decision in th end, and we choose the best that fits our characters or personalities. So I don’t that there’s a special kind of fashion that 2NE1 is focused in. I think we’re more focused on our music, because we really want to leave a good impression.

■ What is your normal kind of fashion?

CL: It’s actually quite opposite to some of our costumes. Becase we request our clothing to be comfortable enough to wear.

■ So no surprising plain/civilian clothes?

CL: No, there isn’t. He he! For example, Dara never usually wears a skirt, she likes to dress comfortably, even to the point that she dresses up like a man. Which is opposite of me, because people always see me in strong fashionable clothes, but I’m really fond of dressing up like a girl. Our personalities are quite different to what people perceive, so it’s such a surprise.

DARA: I somewhat get goosebumps when I wear feminine outfits. Ha ha!

MINZY: I’ve portrayed a strong image, but surprisingly, I really like wearing cute clothes.

BOM: I like wearing clothes that are my usual fashion, but I’d like to wear longer pants too.

■ So then, please give advice to the girls in Japan who want to imitate 2NE1’s fashion and make-up.

CL: First of all, be yourself. If you really want to imitate 2NE1, then put emphasis on your individuality. But if you feel like our fashion is for you, then good!! As long as it suits you!

■ Eventually, the last of your tour date in Japan is on the second of October, what do you want to do in the remaining time?

CL: It’s our first time to be here in Japan for a long time, so we would love to enjoy it more. Also, we would be appearing in music programs, but we really love to sing on stage. So even with just two days of rest, as long as we get to be with you, then it’s already a good cause to have fun and play.

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Again, we don’t mind posting our trans up in other places. Sharing is loving! ^_^

Just please credit properly because we worked really hard for this. ^_^

Credits:
Source: EXILE Magazine
Scanned by: Yuchiko (@2oNEw1)
Japanese to Korean Translation by: Yuchiko
Korean to English Translation by: SlaveTranslator@WeLoveDara/ BlackjackBelle@OhDara