I can’t say I don’t care much about 2NE1 because the four-member hip hop girl group caught my attention while the Wonder Girl’s Nobody took Philippines by storm.
I saw the video of Nobody sometime last year because although my exposure to kpop is kinda limited to k-drama and k-movie OSTs and Bi’s albums, I can’t help but somehow be updated with the phenomenal rise of the Wonder Girls. The Wonder Girls, after all, was created by JYP after Bi (Rain) left his lair.
So while 90% of the Philippine population dances to Nobody, here I am blogging about 2NE1, not because Sandara Park is in it but because I love the fact that this rookie girl group has become so successful shortly after their launch. I blogged about Sandara, CL, Minzy, and Bom in January and that was way before they were launched as 2NE1 (they were prematurely called SISTA). I never really thought that they will make it big as a group then but I am glad I took interest because 2NE1 has achieved so much in so short a time.
2NE1′s digital single, Lollipop, was released in March and I found it just okay. Lollipop was a collaboration of 2NE1 and Big Bang to promote an LG phone so I sort of expected the mediocrity. It was in May this year when 2NE1 debuted with Fire. Fire, I think, is a pretty good song which is waaayyy better than Lollipop. Watching Fire’s MV, one would instantly know what makes 2NE1 different from South Korea’s gazillion girl groups.
2NE1 means New Evolution of the 21st Century (I had to laugh at this because I thought the group is called 2NE1 because of the members’ age). I think it is a statement about the need for the group’s departure from the cutesy image which is a common attribute among South Korean girl groups now. Watching videos of close to a dozen girls with identical hairstyles, facial expressions, outfits, and moves can be tiring and confusing.
L to R: Dara, CL, Bom, Minzy
I am glad YG Entertainment took in CL, Dara, Bom, and Minzy as trainees a couple of years ago and decided to launch them as a hip hop girl group. It was a very bold move by YG Entertainment but with 2NE1′s overwhelming success (they conquered KBS Music Bank for the 4th consecutive week), it’s probably the wisest decision ever made in Kpop history. Talk about stumbling upon a gold mine. And taking into consideration 2NE1′s huge success, I won’t be surprised if hip hop girl groups will just appear out of nowhere. LOL.
2NE1 is currently promoting their hit single I Don’t Care which is part of their 1st mini-album. Of all the songs released by 2NE1, I like I Don’t Care best (I listen to I Don’t Care alternately with the songs included in my Jang Geun Seuk playlist). I really feel its reggae-cum-R&B vibe; reminds me of TLC and All Saints. Great lyrics, too.
IMHO, the most talented members of 2NE1 are the youngest ones, Minzy and CL. Minzy raps well and dances even better. CL, on the other hand, raps and dances really well and has a very strong presence onstage. Park Bom, the oldest member at 25, sings well earning her the right to be main vocals. And lastly, Dara (Sandara Park) is the cutest 2NE1 member and watching videos of her perform alongside other members of 2NE1 brings a smile to my face. She may not be the most talented singer or dancer in the group but she certainly looks like she’s having the time of her life each time 2NE1 goes on stage.
Image used from YG Entertainment.
