2NE1 “Feels Happy” and they “Broke Away from their Routine”
[텐아시아 = 박수정 기자] 2NE1 is different. There are many words to describe other girl groups, such as sexy, cute and pure. But 2NE1 made their own kind of adverb, such as “~is like 2NE1.” Some people say that their music is kind of rough, but actually, their music has a wide spectrum, ranging from “CRUSH,” “COME BACK HOME” in the second album, which show their “rough” trait, to “IF I WERE YOU,” “GOOD TO YOU,” “MISSING YOU,” to “HAPPY” and “BABY, I MISS YOU.” The latter two describes sad feelings after breakup, and strong melodies, respectively.
In the new album, there are five songs which were either written or composed by the leader CL, and they show 2NE1’s upgraded skill in music. They are also breaking their own records. In the U.S. “Billboard 200” Album Chart, one of their songs ranked 61, the highest ranking ever received by a Korean group. Their title song “COME BACK HOME” topped all music sites. On Mar. 16 in SBS “Inkigayo,” their song “COME BACK HOME” was placed first for the first time in major Korean public TVs. Let’s hear what 2NE1 has to say.
Q. How do you feel about releasing your second album?
CL : It has taken us more than 4 years to release this album. It’s the first time that our album is filled with only new songs, so it kind of feels like it’s our first album. I feel very satisfied that we are meeting fans with good songs.
DARA : I felt like a rich person with many songs in our hands in the album, which is not a single album. Fans also love it that we have many songs to show. I feel very positive these days, which makes me think that I should be able to show better performances.
Q. Your solo songs you composed were included in the album, such as “CRUSH,” “IF I WERE YOU,” and “BABY I MISS YOU.” You seem to have gained more confidence.
CL : Many people love my songs, and I received positive response, so it gave me strength to compose new songs. I want to continue composing for fun from now on. Well, actually, composing songs is not something I have to do as a living, for example, so I can work with pleasure. I feel happy writing songs for my members, and for our performances.
Q. Did you get a lot of help from TEDDY, the producer?
CL : Yes. TEDDY, along with CHOICE 37 and DEE.P and all composers in YG helped me. They did a lot of monitoring, gave me opinions and cheered for me. It was fun for me.
Q. What was your main reason for composing songs?
CL : Last year, we only released single albums. Then one day, I wanted to say something. At that time, I didn’t know I would write songs for our album or for our group. I started writing songs as I would write a diary, and wrote lyrics to the beats that we already know. I began as a hobby, and my lyrics were in English at first. YG CEO Yang Hyun Suk listened to my songs and recommended I write in Korean. “IF I WERE YOU” was the first Korean song I wrote.
Q. Big Bang members write their own songs, especially G-DRAGON. Was that a stimulus to you?
CL : No, it was not.
Q. 2NE1 ranked 61 in the U.S. “Billboard 200.” It is a new record from a Korean group. How do you feel?
CL : Well, actually, I never felt I had to look at the Billboard Chart or its rankings. It was like a surprise gift to me. It was an album we prepared for a long time, and it was an unexpected present for us.
Q. The ranking 61 means that 2NE1 has an appeal in the U.S. What do you think that is?
CL : I think people regard us to be unique because we are different., thinking that “2NE1 has something that other girl group doesn’t have.” I heard our fans are more attracted to us when we sing in Korean rather than in English. It was really surprising that though our overseas fans don’t understand Korean language, they understand the feelings.
DARA : Music seems to be the appealing trait. Although languages differ, it can unite people as they enjoy the same music.
CL : I often heard people say that we look like cartoon characters, what with our clothes and unique style (laughter). Will.i.am says that, too. I think our small heights also are advantages to us.
Q. The song “DIRTY VIBE” of the worldwide DJ Skrillex was featured by both you (CL) and G-DRAGON. You wrote some of the lyrics in Korean.
CL : I tend to tell my music partners that I would write in Korean. I love Korean.
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