Interview: Kstar10’s Interview with 2NE1 – New Evolution, Fashion, Music and Inspiration

2NE1: “‘I AM THE BEST’ on stage” (Pt. 1)

There used to be a time in the Korean history when having a job in singing and dancing was regarded as a shameful thing. But now that is something very hard to believe for younger generations here. Singers are adored and get praised for their god-given talents, and without a doubt, they are now the leaders of Korean culture and fashion; and that’s where 2NE1 stands.

2NE1, debuted in 2009, is a group of four transgressive young women artists pioneering new music styles and fashion. Going beyond synchronized dance routines and repetitive chorus, they were the first K-pop group to dominate local online music charts with five singles in a row: ““Don’t Cry,” “Lonely,” “I Am The Best,” “Hate You” and “Ugly.”

If you think the group’s international acclaim in a little over three years of their singing career is hard to believe, wait till you hear what is next: “NEW EVOLUTION.” (Note: The original article wrote “REVOLUTION”.)

In between releasing the new single and going for the theatrical run, 2NE1 told the magazine about their world tour, “NEW EVOLUTION,” and their new tune– a cross-genre song of electronic and trot music– at the YG Entertainment office building in Seoul on July 6.

People of your generation didn’t grow up listening to trot music [an old Korean pop music genre based on four beats and sad melody from Japanese ballad “enka’”]. Was it not difficult understanding and digesting the genre?

Minzy: My parents love trot music so it wasn’t new to me at all.

CL: Even if you don’t grow up being exposed to trot music, you know the feeling of it. It wasn’t so difficult imagining what kind of message trot music has inside (its lyrics and melody).

Sandara: My mom loves trot so I used to sing “The man in Shinsadong” (translated title) a lot.

CL: Minzy was good at singing the trot parts of our new song.

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