Feature: [Starcast] 2NE1’s history of change, outstanding from the beginning

[Starcast] 2NE1’s history of change, outstanding from the beginning

2NE1 is an icon of a shock. Their motto is ‘I am the best’. Not a single aspect from music and performance to style is ordinary. A concept sometimes going overboard is fine with 2NE1. They always turn such concepts into their own style proudly and confidently.

When it comes to music, they tried a variety of genres. They discriminated no genre. Their debut song ‘Fire‘ was a hybrid combining electronic and Indian music. In 2010, they sampled a children’s song in ‘Follow Me‘ and in 2012, they tried Trot in ‘I Love You’. Their latest song ‘Falling in Love’ is reggae.

Their performance and styles have evolved as well. They started with a dance accentuating their legs and now they perform hip-hop dance such as the Dougie. The same goes to fashion. They are far from the typical fashion style of girl groups characterized by a lace and a pleated skirt.

It is 2NE1 who rips off leggings and wears a rare broach that no one could assume where came from.

2NE1’s shocking change has become fiercer over time. Shall we take a ride on a time machine and go back to the year 2009? First, let us have a look at their ‘performance’.

“Eh eh eh eh eh eh eh 2NE1~”

In May 2009, 2NE1 debuted with the mini album ‘Fire’, which drew massive popularity upon its release. In the intro, they showed their personality with a popping dance where they popped their chest. In the chorus, they hit their hair with their hands and slightly shook their bottoms.

In September 2010, about a year later, 2NE1 released their first official album. They promoted three title songs ‘Clap Your Hands’, ‘Go Away’, and ‘Can’t Nobody’. They performed the Chair Dance in ‘Clap Your Hands‘ and a pantomime in ‘Go Away‘, and shook their hands up and down in ‘Can’t Nobody’. The youngest member Min-ji’s Wall Sweeping Dance should not be missed out.

Their performance evolved album after album. In ‘I’m the Best’ released on June 24, 2011, they motioned like they pass their hair with their hands. It was called ‘Haughty Dance‘. A snobbish face was essential. When they sing “No no no no,” they shook their fingers while for “Na na na na,” they hit their shoulders.

2NE1 is good at popping hips. In June 2012, 2NE1 released the Trot-based song ‘I Love You’ for the first time as a girl group. They popped their hips hand in hand with dancers. They showed mature dancing skills when they popped their hips to the beat.

Then, how about their performance of the new song ‘Falling in Love’ released on July 8?

Harp Dance “Hula hula, wave wave!”

“We should not miss out on our signature ‘hands up’ pose.”

“Let’s finish with hip popping”

☞ Next, ‘fashion’.

They were different from the beginning. They were already fashion leaders. They drew public attention with ‘Lollipop‘, a song used for a commercial, in March 2009 before their official debut. Most noticeable was their style. CL’s swimsuit and Sandara Park’s ponytail hairstyle look fresh and shocking even today.

They revealed their uniqueness in ‘Fire’ in May 2009. One of the most impressive was cyber fashion. They gave off classy charm unseen in ‘Lollipop’. The most outstanding member is CL. She looks perfect in a swimsuit, leather pants, and mirrored sunglasses.

In February 2010 they tried a cute look for the first time since their debut in ‘Follow Me’. Min-ji wore fluorescent-colored skinny pants, ParkBom, a pleated skirt, and Sandara, a pink t-shirt to show perkiness. CL wore a plain look with a white t-shirt and jeans. She accentuated her personality with a pink belt and heels that cover her foot tops.

2NE1’s plainness, however, lasted just for a while. In September 2010, seven months later, they tried a shocking look again in ‘Can’t’ Nobody‘. They tried a ‘thunder’ look this time. They matched black leather pants with a thunder-shaped top. They look like female warriors from the future. Nothing is impossible.

In June 2011, they showed the essence of a shocking style. Their fashion in ‘I’m the Best’ made one immediately say ‘Oh My God’. More shocking than the studded outfits was their hairstyle. Sandara Park’s Vegeta look, CL’s cow horn, Min-ji’s white air, and Park Bom’s blonde hair, all of those were possible only by 2NE1.

In July 2011, just a month later, their fashion went ‘ugly’ in ‘Ugly’. They wore outfits printed with hideous patterns such as skeletons and monsters. The colorful and geometrical printing is unique. Accessories such as bone-shaped earrings are also eye-catching. The monster look was on the vogue for a while at that time in the fashion world.

Then, shall we turn our eyes to their occasion fashion? 2NE1 is one of the most sought-after celebrities of fashion events. It is because their fashion is not ordinary. Their fashion style at an ‘Adidas’ event held on November 1, 2011, was impressive. Particularly Sandara Park’s tapeline training suit drew passionate responses.

Let us get to the point again. This is when they were promoting ‘I Love You’ in July, 2012. Gong Min-ji and CL tried rock chic while Sandara Park and Park Bom wore an oriental look. They showed both feminine beauty and fierceness. 2NE1 was indeed the best fashion leader among girl groups. Particularly Sandara Park’s half-shaved head was unrivaled.

In fact, 2NE1’s evolution should be seen on a member-by-member basis. Shall we take a look at the shocking style leaders CL and Sandara Park?

CL’s fashion always has epithets ‘shocking’ or ‘irregular’. She enjoys new and fresh fashion styles. She attached a shark’s fin on her waist or wore an over-sized jacket beautifully. Trying monster, training, and rock chic looks, she has never been the same. You come to automatically admires, “That is CL indeed.”

CL impressed us with fashion while Sandara Park, with a hairstyle. She proves the rule that the entire look is completed with a hairstyle. She draws attention with brand-new hairstyles such as Vegeta, ponytail, palm tree, conch-shapedbread, and half-shaved head in every time their album is out. Her small and clear face allows her to try anything. Actually, her hairstyle benefited from her face.

Written by Kim Su-ji (Dispatch)
Photograph=Dispatch DB, YG Entertainment

Credits: Naver Star Cast