To commemorate their return with their first full length album in 4 years, the ladies of 2NE1 sat down for an interview with reporters about their comeback with 'CRUSH' to open up about the thoughts going through their heads.
The girls have already racked up quite the success with their album
release, topping not only domestic charts but international ones as
well, and making their mark as the highest charting K-Pop album on the Billboard 200 - a well-deserved result.
"It
is our first full length album in 4 years, and different from our 1st
album it contains completely new songs so it feels as if we actually put
out our first full length album now. We are really enjoying the fact
that we can show you a lot of new songs and stages, so we've been able
to quench our thirst that has been building up as there is a lot that
we've been wanting to show you. When we had our first world tour, we
felt some regret as there was no new music to show on stage. So to make
our comeback with a full length album, we feel happy," the girls said.
As this new album contains quite a few works that have a direct hand of participation from CL, she stated, "I
started composing last year. I really never imagined 2NE1 as a whole
would sing the songs I made. It started when I just wrote songs as if I
was writing a diary. I am grateful as well fascinated that it all
progressed so naturally and fast. There are more songs that I have
written up, but the songs that matched the best with 2NE1 were included
in this album. It was something I started just for fun, but Yang Hyun Suk
boss even diligently checked up on it. 'CRUSH' was the title of the
song I wrote, but he even made it into the name of the album, so I was
really touched."
The interview of course also addressed the girls' competition with Girls' Generation for it's not everyday when the biggest two girl groups in Korea have their promotional periods overlap.
The girls remarked, "Starting
a year ago, we had the world tour scheduled for March, and to be able
to show new music stages on the tour, we had originally planned for a
comeback at the end of February. As Girls' Generation are
our sunbaenims, it's so cool to see them actively promote in various
fields for a long time. We want to be like that too. Rather than
comparing or calling it a competition, we sincerely cheer on the power
of girl groups. We want to see a lot of these groups and see us all do
well together. As our promotions are overlapping, we saw their stage and
felt that our colors and Girls' Generation colors are different. They
are showing a stage that we can't do."
Reporters
also brought up the question of dating for 2NE1 as a few of Girls'
Generation members have gone public with their relationships this year.
CL said with a smile, "And it's White Day today too... We recognize that we're quite behind in the dating aspect compared to Girls' Generation." Dara hilariously added, "Let's try to catch up!" while Park Bom lamented, "It seems like there just isn't much opportunity to date."
Whether
you're a Blackjack or not, it's hard to deny that 2NE1 has
individuality in the Kpop scene with their distinct music style. And
reporters asked the girls if they felt the same way and to elaborate on
2NE1's unique style.
"We
don't think there will be a group quite like 2NE1. There wasn't one
before and we don't think there will be one like us. Whether people
consider 2NE1 good or bad, we can say confidently that there is no group
like us. If our color was red for example, if we tried to be blue
instead, we'd feel a burden and we wouldn't be able to last. If we are
red, then we have to express that red more vibrantly," the girls replied.
So what is 2NE1's ultimate goal for the future? "We
don't know what it would be. Whether it's a time of growth or a time of
risk, it seems like they just suddenly come upon us without us
expecting it. Whatever it is, we think it is most important that we take
it moment by moment and get through it. We finally think we have
figured out how to sing and enjoy the stage. We want to do this for a
long long time. And since we don't come out on TV that often and don't
have many opportunities to interact with everyone, we want to express
2NE1 news, thoughts, and hearts through interviews at least."
The girls also spoke on their love for concerts with their second world tour ahead of them. "We
have won #1 on music programs and experienced various other things, but
there is nothing more fun than a concert. Our goal is to wrap up our
second world tour in Korea as an encore concert. People will only come
if we promote our hardest with 'Crush' right? We want to meet with many
fans at our concerts," the group said with a smile.
It seems like the girls aren't the only ones excited for their world tour as their music video for "Come Back Home" has already surpassed the 5 million mark with eager Blackjacks showing their support as they count down to the days they'll be able to catch the 2NE1 in concert!
Credits: Allkpop
