Another waaaay overdue article on here. But I’ve mostly been waiting for the perfect time to post this article. It’s been on my ideas list for at least two years now. But I can’t think of a better time but now, as the girls have kicked off their ‘Welcome Back 2024-2025 Asia Tour’. I do admit, part of my intention of writing this article is to manifest an Atlanta date. Although I would travel to New York or Chicago to see them if I absolutely must. But as an ATL gorl, I want a date here at State Farm Arena.
So, I feel like I need to give 2NE1 a slight introduction. I know many people new to Kpop within the last like 2-4 years, likely don’t know 2NE1. They officially disbanded back in 2016, with one final farewell song released in 2017 called “Goodbye“. So yeah, there’s literally a generation of Kpoppies who didn’t get to experience 2NE1.
I barely got to experience them, as I became a fan late 2014 before their hiatus. I’m not going into Bom’s hiatus here though. Not because she’s my favorite member and I don’t want to paint her in bad light, more of, as an American, we just have different rules. And 2NE1 was always getting dragged for something despite their commerical success. But I’m leaving it at that. More detail on the timeline here on their fandom Wiki if you’re curious. An of course, you can do your own research into all that.
2NE1 (pronounced like the number, 21 sometimes stylized as such) is a groundbreaking girl group, formed by YG Entertainment. They debuted May 17th 2009 with “Fire“. The quartet consists of leader, main rapper, fashion icon, CL, main vocalist and spring incarnate Park Bom, visual, vocal, and actress Sandara (Dara) Park (also stylized as Park Sandara), and our all-rounder, jack of all trade master of all, main dancer and maknae, Minzy.
When it comes to some of the first groups, I really got into about 10 years ago as of writing, it was a mix of 2nd gen groups like 2NE1, SNSD (Girls’ Generation), and 3rd gen groups. I’d say half of them were about 2 years into their careers, like VIXX, B.A.P, and EXO.
And I was on the cusp of new groups to the generation like GOT7, SEVENTEEN, and MONSTA X. Technically GOT7 were already rookies in 2014, with their debut back in January of that year with “Girls, Girls Girls”. Banger song, fave songs GOT7 version on the way.
Anyway, my binge into 2NE1 lead me to my current fave songs of theirs. I kept hoping there would eventually be a comeback where I could fully experience a 2NE1 album run, but that didn’t happen. Instead, we got a BLACKPINK debut in August 2016 and disbandment of 2NE1 in November 2016, lol.
I wasn’t salty at all 🫠. Obviously that was YGE’s fault. Idk what was up with them back then, but there was so much of YGE pitting fans against same gendered groups within the same label. But now that 2NE1 is back, I’m hopeful we’ll get new music. It was announced back in July that they resigned to YGE as a full group.
Most of my favorite songs are from their 2014 album CRUSH. So let’s get started!
Fire
2NE1 is well known for their eccentric styling. Sometimes it hits and others it looks like a random word generator picked out their fits. The ‘street’ version I linked earlier is an example of the latter, lol. But I love this ‘space’ version. The futuristic vibe is so good.
I love the “eh eh eh eh eh 2NE1” repeating in the chorus, it’s so damn catchy. Plus the arms up part in the choreo while they’re singing it. Perfect.
CL’s intro to “Fire” is so much fun, you can’t help but to say it with her after you’ve heard it a few times. The space version was the first version of “Fire” I watched, so it’s a bit more nostalgic for me. I haven’t seen it in a while, but I was immediately taken back to when I first dived into Blackjack (fandom name, love the casino reference going on there, unfortunate name when it’s abbreviated, lmao) life.
Fire song like the title. Great party/club track.
Lonely
“Lonely” is the first of two acoustic tracks of 2NE1’s on this list. The second is my favorite of their acoustic songs, but “Lonely” shouldn’t be slept on. I feel like the intro to this one too grabs your attention so quickly.
I’m going to include the Wiki to their discography here in case y’all want more info about the different 2NE1 eras. They were doing crazy numbers back in the day, considering how exclusive Kpop was to Asia at this time. And of course their main Wiki too for more info on them. Oh, and I can’t forget Kprofiles.
HATE YOU
AWWWWWWW SHIIIIIIIIII “HATE YOU” is easily in my top three favorite 2NE1 title tracks and music videos. The animation is great. The plot and fight scenes are still entertaining. Their animated versions are so cute and represent their personalities so well.
I listen to “HATE YOU” regularly. It never gets old.
FALLING IN LOVE
*screaming from “HATE YOU” continues* MY OTHER SOOOOOONG. I’ve been dying to talk about “FALLING IN LOVE”. My favorite 2NE1 music video of theirs. They look so good and looked like they had so much fun while filming it. Minzy’s pink wig suits her so well. Dara is killing that platinum blonde hair. CL’s dark honey blonde brown hair looks stunning. And Bom, my girl, the blue lenses and brown hair combo looks so beautiful on her 😭. And her white dresss??!! 10s across the board.
The all white group look is my favorite. Then the one in the thumbnail, followed by the very first look we get in the music video. Minzy’s yellow/lime look is my favorite out of that first group look. I’m not sure which member has my favorite look out of the butterfly, second group look. Boms mini dress is cute, but I think Dara’s look slightly wins out over Minzy’s. Idk what they had CL in, but she looks great. I want that black top.
And. AND Lee Soohyuk cameo??!!! We won. I forgot Hong Jonghyun (the other actor/model) heavily featured in “FALLING IN LOVE” was in here too. I used to watch Style Log 2014 (2013) with English subs on some random Kdrama site back in the day. And both he and Soohyuk were so funny. I like when friends get to work on set like that. Natural chemistry.
Anyway, back to the girls. “HATE YOU” and “FALLING IN LOVE” musically are uptempo songs. “FALLING IN LOVE” has Reggae elements to it. And I love a Kpop Reggae track. I’m always forget that until I hear one. Both love related and polar opposites. But both get me dancin. Both having me singing the lyrics at the top of my lunges. I just love them so much. Back when Teddy didn’t miss.
Okay, on to CRUSH era.
COME BACK HOME
Ah yes, the second Reggae song on this list. There are multiple genres going on here. As usual with 2NE1. You can read more about “COME BACK HOME” here. But its main sounds are Electropop, R&B, Trap, and Reggae.
There’s an acoustic (unplugged I believe is the term they use) version as well, and you can hear part of that in this video during CL’s rap. I love that transition. The vocals in “COME BACK HOME” are my favorite 2NE1 performance.
Video wise, “COME BACK HOME” is a Kpop music video must watch. If I were to come up with an idk 25 Kpop videos to watch as a new fan to the genre, this would be in the top 10 for sure. It’s so grand and plot heavy. Still stands out so many years later.
I think when it comes to Kpop history, there are groups where maybe you don’t listen to all their music, if any. But their impact is so huge, if you haven’t seen or heard the song, you’re missing out.
This is probably 2NE1’s biggest hit domestically and internationally. I remember being in awe at the visuals going on in this music video. The director, Dee Shin, has directed tons of music videos. Mostly Kpop ones. Some of my favorites, other than “COME BACK HOME” are SEVENTEEN’s “Oh My” and BTS’ V’s “Layover”.
The uniqueness of 2NE1 can’t help but to spill over into everything they do. “COME BACK HOME” is one of the best examples of what you get with 2NE1. It’s like everything refined and packaged perfectly. You get the mix of tomboy and more girly looks in clothes, hair, and makeup. Really the only thing missing is choreography. But you have so much else going on. I hadn’t realized it until the end.
So, “COME BACK HOME” is one of two title tracks from Crush. We’ll talk more about the second title, but let’s talk more about the acoustic version of “COME BACK HOME” now.
I just adore this stripped down version. You can really hear the color and emotion in their voices. I especially love Dara’s voice in the acoustic version. When I first got into 2NE1, I listened to this version all the time. It’s still my favorite of the two, but I love the drop during the “come back hoooome” in the regular version. Followed by “come babe babe come come babe” part. Chef’s kiss.
GOTTA BE YOU
I’m trying so so hard not to scream at all these songs. But MAN. “GOTTA BE YOU” is so fooking good. Another song I crank up and sing along to. I love the instrumentals and autotune I love when 2NE1 is having romance problems, lmao. CL’s rap is at my most favorite in “GOTTA BE YOU”. Her delivery is perfect. You can feel the emotion and back and forth in her lyrics and delivery.
Bom, Minzy, and Dara are phenomenal in their vocals. I forgot how much I love their voices. I know there are comparisons to BLACKPINK. And how the Pinks are copying 2NE1. And … Yeah sometimes it’s really noticable how similar they sound. But if anything, I think it’s just the YGE sound. The mix of it all blends together so well, again.I love an upbeat sad/dramatic song. 2NE1 does this a lot.
I think fashion wise, this is my second favorite music video of 2NE1’s. These ugly sweater outfits are 2014 Jeremy Scott. I thought maybe there were Moschino, and I was close, because he was the creative director at Moschino at that time. But no, these were from his brand, interesting.
But I just love the juxtaposition of pretty girls being in ‘what are those??’ type of clothing. The vibrant colors and this minimalistic video works for me. I think of all the songs on this list, “GOTTA BE YOU” is probably the most entry level and safe. Doesn’t make it any less of a banger, though. Just a chiller vibe. And we love the variety.
MTBD
Here’s an alternative video. There are some flashing lights in the one I have embeded here. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the music video for “MTBD”. I first found out about the song through America’s Next Top Model, actually. Then between me seeing commercials with “I Am The Best” playing in the background. The 2NE1-ification of me was bound to happen.
But CL always had that star quality to her. I knew her solo stuff would pop off. And eventually I want to revisit some of my favorite solo songs of hers like “Hello Bitches“. We weren’t ready for that one. But that’s for another day.
I just love the electronic production going on here. I love a CL rap. I’m glad it was included on Crush. It fits within the rest of the album flawlessly. It kinda reminds me of how MINO’s solo “I’m Him” was put onto 2014 SS.
SCREAM
“Why you keep callin me honey” is my favorite line in “Scream”. This is the Korean version and I never realized there was a Japanese version and music video for it. But then again, I didn’t check for it either, lol. I just heard it on Crush and was forever obessed with it.
There’s this clubby vibe to most of 2NE1’s music, and I love it. For me I’m either listening to their slower stuff like “Lonely” or upbeat Electronic Dance tracks like “Scream”.
I will say, if you like the Korean version of “Scream”. Watch the Japanese video I linked here. It’s pretty entertaining. More interesting clothing choices of course. The fact that the Japanese version was released in 2013, a year before Crush makes sense. It feels very 2013/2014 era music video and styling.
BABY I MISS YOU
Okay, our last song from Crush. Banger album with multiple genres sprinkled throughout it. On Crush it’s the last ‘new’ song. “COME BACK HOME – UNPLUGGED” is our true album ender. But I love the postion of both songs being at the end of the album. “BABY I MISS YOU” slows things down just enough. I hate when you get an uptempo song right before a boring ballad. Its like wiplash. What was that for?
Okay, on to our last song? Guess which one it is? LOL
내가 제일 잘 나가(I AM THE BEST)
🎶 Bam ratatata ratatatata 🎶 Okay, remember earlier when I was talking about Kpop history? You absolutely need to know this song as a Kpoppie. Sorry, I don’t make the rules. Not only the song but also the arm dance that goes with it.
ICONIC to the core. Party song, drag song, pregame song. It fits countless situations. This song was everywhere. And this was 10 years ago when really outside of “Gangnam Style”, you weren’t hearing Kpop songs on American TV. But they were running commericals with this song, crazy.
But with a title like “I AM THE BEST”, of course companies want to use that to showcase their products. It’s such a bold claim. And 2NE1 delievered. Just from the instrumental it’s so 2NE1 and so unlike anything else you’ve ever heard. I mean, yeah EDM and dubstep was still kinda mainstream, definitely EDM was, but this was different.
And, and it has my favorite thing in Kpop. A thing I call lazy language learning. The Korean name is translated into English, and you get the Korean version repeated over and over. Eventually you get the pronuncation right. I miss when more Kpop songs did this. You don’t get that as much anymore with all the appealing to Western audiences going on now.
“I AM THE BEST” is another entertaining title track and music video. There’s a lot going on. But I really enjoy the Y2K futuristic aesthic going on, similar to “Fire”. The styling is great, minus CL’s straightjacket scene. You can’t really do that anymore, lol. But the leather looks are to die for. The choreography is fun.
I said earlier that “COME BACK HOME” is one of the best examples of what you get with 2NE1. But “I AM THE BEST” is the perfect example of 2NE1 at their best. Great upbeat loud and confident title track, eye catching styling, catchy phrase(s)/lyrics, fun choreo, yeah, does it get any better than this?
2NE1 was one of my first girl groups I stanned hard as a new Kpop fan. I still have so much love for the girls and their music and I’m ecstatic to see what the future holds for them. I can’t believe it’s exactly 10 years since I first became a part of the Kpop community. It’s changed so much, but not at all at the same time.
I hope I have given y’all a good starting point with getting to know 2NE1 as muscians and fashionistas. And for my other Blackjacks, what do y’all think about this list? Am I missing one of your fave songs? Let me know in the comments below.
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Threads, & BlueSky.
Until next article…
Take care!
Ash💫
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