2NE1 THROWS AWAY OTHER “SEXY” GIRL GROUPS

[국민일보=박지훈기자] 2NE1 has a firm standing in the K-POP world. Their songs are based on African-American music, they have their own characteristics, and that is why they are popular in and outside the country. 2NE1 is different from other girl groups which are either cute or sexy.

2NE1’s newly-released second album “Crush” is gaining much popularity among fans. It not only topped various music charts in Korea, but it also was included in the Billboard Charts, which is called the “Dream chart” among musicians. 2NE1 also started a world tour in 12 cities of 9 countries, and they are estimated to engage more than 200,000 fans. 2NE1’s popularity knows no end. What is the driving force behind all this popularity?

2NE1’s success story: 2NE1 made its debut in May. 2009 with their single album “Fire.” In 2010, their first mini album’s title song “I Don’t Care” made a hit and it gave 2NE1 an unwavering standing. Ever since, 2NE1 has been named with the girl group “Girls’ Generation” as representative K-POP groups.

With the release of the second album, it seems that 2NE1 is becoming more powerful. 2NE1 easily won the competition against Girls’ Generation, which released its new song around the time 2NE1 did. 2NE1’s album ranked 61 in the U.S. Billboard Album Chart, “Billboard 200” on Mar. 5. This is much better than that of “Twinkle”, the mini album by a unit of Girls’ Generation, “Taetiseo,” whose best ranking was 126. In the Single Chart “Hot 100,” Psy’s “Gangnam Style” ranked as high as 2, but 2NE1’s is the first time that a K-POP singer made into 100 in the “Billboard 200.”

Overseas media are applauding the results. Billboard praised “COME BACK HOME,” the title song of 2NE1’s second album, as being an explosive new song with the combination of various genres. The U.S. music channel Fuse TV and the music magazine SPIN have also given spotlight to 2NE1’s new album with keen interest.

A director of a record company said, “I am not really sure about the charms of each member. But their music does seem ‘high-level.’ They are different from other girl groups who only want to appeal their sexy side.”

2NE1, where is your end? In 2014, there already has been many impressive points in 2NE1’s work. They are proving to be more “global” than other K-POP groups. For instance, in Jan., 2NE1 appeared in ABC’s reality program “THE BACHELOR,” which is broadcast across the nation. In Mar. 11, when reports about CL and G-Dragon partnering with a famous U.S. musician Skrillex were released, it aroused great interest.

Korean music critic Gang Tae-gyu said, “Most girl groups tend to show off their looks, so it’s hard for them to refresh their image after some time.” He added, “But 2NE1 is focused more on the music rather than looks, so they will probably long-run. Their competitiveness in the global market will rise.”

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Source: YG Life