Why 2NE1 is a Legendary Unique Girl Group

Why 2NE1 is a Legendary Unique Girl Group

2NE1 consists of four members namely Park Sandara, Park Bom, Lee Chaerin (CL), Gong Minji (Minzy). 2NE1 debuted in 2009 under YG Entertainment with their debut song titled "Fire". The song was a hit, earning Song of the Month (May) in Cyworld Digital Music Awards, Hot Online Song in MNET’s 20s Choice Award, Best Music Video in MNET Asian Music Award (MAMA), etc. Since then, the group made a unique yet powerful music video such as I Am The Best, Come Back Home, Go Away, I Love You, Come Back Home, etc, which won and nominated in several music awards, not only in Korea but also International. But why is it that this group is an extremely unique girl group despite being disbanded?

Before they debuted, 2NE1 collaborated with Bigbang for LG Cyon phone with the music video ‘Lollipop’. The song is not considered as their debut song as it is only intended for promotions. 2NE1: the name combining "21st Century", and "New Evolution". In July 2009, after the release of ’Fire’, the group released the song titled ’I Don’t Care’, making the EP third highest-selling album of 2009 according to Hanteo charts. It rivaled Girls Generation’s ’Gee’, making it one of the biggest songs of the year. Solo promotions also made its way as Dara collaborating with Cass Beer, releasing a cf song titled "Kiss" starring actor Lee Minho, Park Bom’s "You and I" which earned the number one spot on the Gaon chart, and CL and Minzy’s collaborating song titled "Please Don’t Go". Even though they are a rookie group at that time, 2NE1 winning lots of awards such as "Best New Artist" at Melon Music Awards, "Song of the Year" at the MNET Asian Music Awards (MAMA) – their first Daesang after six months of debuting. Also, the girls have lots of endorsement such as Etude House, Cass Beer, Baskin Robbins, Fila, etc.

In 2010, the group also collaborated with Black -Eyed Peas’ will.i.am, making their way to US Entertainment. 2NE1 released its full-length album "To Anyone" in September. The album ranked as number seven on the Billboard World Albums Chart and received a certified all-kill on the Korean music charts. 2NE1 is namely BIGBANG female version. What made them so unique with the other girl groups, even on the present girl group is that they have these edgy-type fashion, unique hairstyles, making them the coolest girl group on the stage. Not only that, they don’t lip-sync in every live performances and concert. Their charismatic yet powerful aura makes them very different from the other girl groups. And that impression never changes. As a result, they gained lots of awards such as "Best Female Singer" at the 2010 Style Icon Awards, "Artist of the Year" and "Best Music Video of the Year" at MNET Asian Music Awards (MAMA) and "Album of the Year" on the mentioned events and the Melon Music Awards. The group also released a single titled "Don’t Stop the Music" as a gift to the Thai fans.

In 2011, the group released their Japanese debut "Go Away" in March which made them ranked 24 on the Oricon Awards. However, they have postponed their promotions due to the earthquake and tsunami that happened in Japan that year. As they returned to Korea, they released their songs such as "I Am The Best", "Lonely", "Ugly" for their second-self titled album which reached number one on different music charts. "I Am The Best" winning the "Song of the Year" at MAMAs, reaching over 3.4 million digital downloads, also ranked as the fourth best-selling song in the country. The song was also featured on several international advertisements such as Microsoft and Adidas Japan and a video game Dance Central. Because of that, "I Am The Best" became on of the most popular and recognizable K-pop songs worldwide, making the group won awards in MTV’s "Best New Band" and being nominated for "Best New Artist" at Japan Record Award.

In 2012, they released a single titled ’I Love You’, making their sixth number one hit and first number-one single on the Korean Billboard chart. It was also the first Korean song aired on BBC Radio 1. 2NE1 also became the first Korean girl group to go on a solo tour in America, with two stops of their tour in Los Angeles and Newark, New Jersey. The group, together with their label mate group BIGBANG was included on MTV’s Best Band Style of 2012.

The group also released their two English songs that collaborated with will.I.am titled "Take the World On" and "Gettin’ Dumb". In 2013, they released a reggae song "Falling In Love" which won in MTV Iggy’s ’Song of the Summer’ award; the emotional ballad titled "Missing You", and the electro-pop theme "Do You Love Me".

2014 was also the group’s best year as they released the album "Crush" last February. The songs titled "Come Back Home", "Gotta Be You" and "Happy" were the songs from the album who became an instant hit. The album made it into number 61st, beating out BIGBANG and Girls Generation in becoming the highest-charting K-pop album. "Crush" album was also listed by Fuse and Rolling Stone as one of the best albums in the entire year. "Come Back Home" was listed as ninth number one hit and won "Best Electronica Song" at the Melon Music Awards. "Gotta Be You" was released in celebration of the group’s fifth anniversary since debut. It also won "Song of the Year" in MTV Iggy’s Award.

In 2015, the group has been on hiatus due to a lot of problems, and mismanagement, including the misunderstanding in Park Bom’s issue. Up to this day, the company has not released any further details regarding that matter, in which we can all agree that YG Entertainment could have handled the situation and protect its artist at all costs. Also, the solo promotions and mismanagement of the company made the group totally on hiatus. CL, on the other hand, released her solo single "Hello Bitches" featuring the Royal Family Dance crew, Minzy opening her own dance academy which was named "Millennium Dance Academy", Dara having her solo acting career which made her won the Best Actress in the webtoon "Dr. Ian". But they never failed to surprise everyone. In Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) in the same year, after CL’s "Hello Bitches" performance, the whole group had a reunion performance, performing their top hits such as "Fire", and "I Am The Best". This was the most viewed performance on YouTube and also the most iconic performance that will remain in the history of K-pop.

In 2016, the year that almost made the blackjacks cried in pain. Minzy announced her departure from the company last April 26. YG Entertainment also stated that the trio will remain but Park Bom was released from her contract and 2NE1 was no longer a group on November 25, 2016, which makes the rest of the members, goes to their solo career. As of this writing, Park Bom has signed into a new label "D-Nation" entertainment and released her solo album after long hiatus. Minzy on the other hand are in talks to get her contract release from "Music Works", CL didn’t renew her contract to YG Entertainment and became a one-man agency; she also released her solo album and her own website. And Dara is still under YG Entertainment and busy with her variety shows.

"Goodbye" was the last farewell single that the trio has made and released last January 20th. Making the song as a farewell to everyone; Especially, for the blackjacks who had supported the group through thick and thin.

Nowadays, after the group left a remarkable history, making them the most unique and powerful aura in the K-pop girl group, it is indeed that they will always be the Queen. 2NE1 serves as an inspiration to the new girl groups of this generation.

Actress Jeon Jihyun in Netflix Kingdom

Actress Jeon Jihyun in Netflix Kingdom

Sports Chosun, Korean news reported last November 28, 2019, that actress Jeon Jihyun will be appearing in the finale of Netflix’s "Kingdom" season two. A second season was also confirmed to return with actors Joo Ji Hoon, Bae Doona, and Ryu Seung Ryeong from the first season. According to Sports Chosun, Jeon Jihyun will appear in the season two finale and then became a key character in the rumored season three of "Kingdom".

Jeon Jihyun’s appearance in season two was kept a secret even with Netflix’s production team. Culture Depot, Jeon Ji Hyun’s agency has stated that the actress took part in filming the series’s season two. However, the agency stated that they cannot mention anything about the drama itself. With regards to the actress joining Netflix’s "Kingdom" season three, the production has not been confirmed. But if they will receive an offer, they will review it.

A source from Netflix also stated that the production of "Kingdom" season three has not been confirmed yet.

"Kingdom" will be Jeon Jihyun’s first drama appearance after the successful drama "Legend of the Blue Sea" and will be her first attempt in sageuk drama.

Jeon Jihyun, born Wang Jihyun, also known as her English name Gianna Jun, is an actress and made a notable success for her role in the romantic comedy "My Sassy Girl". Other movies that made her rose to fame are Il Mare in 2000, Windstruck in 2004, The Thieves in 2012, The Berlin File in 2013, and Assassination in 2015. Jihyun also starred in dramas "My Love from the Stars" in 2013-2014 and Legend of The Blue Sea in 2016-2017. The success of her dramas and her movies made her established her career, making her one of the Queen of Hallyu star.

At the age of 16, her highschool friend who was a model at that time introduce her to a photographer. With Jeon Jihyun as her stage name, she began her career as a model for Ecole Magazine in 1997. She became a well-known commercial model and a TV Actress. She made her film debut in "White Valentine" in 1999. She was featured in Samsung commercial’s My Jet Printer which made her became a popular sensation. Her dancing and attitude in the ad made her the Korea icon in their late teens and early twenties.

My Sassy Girl which made the actress became a well-known sensation not only in Korea but all around Asia. The film became a high grossing Korean comedy of all time in Korea and also two weeks No. 1 film in Hongkong, making Jeon Jihyun as one of the biggest Hallyu star in the Chinese market. The huge success of the film made her have the title of "Nation’s First Love", resulting in her to grow popularity and endorsement from bigger and famous companies. She also won Best Actress at Grand Bell Awards in 2002.

In late 2006, Jeon Jihyun made her Hollywood debut, taking her stage name as Gianna Jun. She played the lead role of the movie "Blood: The Last Vampire". It was filmed in China and Argentina in 2007, the movie is the live-adaptation of a popular anime. Jeon Jihyun also launched her own luxury jeans brand in 2008 namely "Gianna by True Religion", her first celebrity line. In 2010, she acted opposite Chinese actress Li Bingbing in the film "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" based on Lisa See’s novel with the same name; which was directed by Wayne Wang. Jeon Jihyun was also photographed by Annie Leibovitz for the July American issue of the magazine Vogue. She is the first Korean actress to be included in the prestigious fashion magazine.

In 2012, she married the banker Choi Junhyuk on April 12 at Shilla Hotel in Jangchung-dong. More than 600 guests, including celebrities, close friends, and families attended the wedding. Her husband is the grandson of famous hanbok designer Lee Younghee and the son of fashion designer Lee Jungwoo. Jihyun gave birth to their first child on February 10, 2016, and to their second child on January 26, 2018.

After playing the roles in the movies such as "The Thieves", "The Berlin File", Jeon Jihyun made her drama comeback in the fantasy romance "My Love from the Stars" alongside with actor Kim Soohyun. The drama series was a huge success, making it trending from fashion, make-up, and restaurants. Jeon Jihyun won the Daesang award at the 2014 Baeksang Arts Award and the 2014 SBS Drama Awards. The drama made Jeon Jihyun reestablished as a leader of Hallyu and she was also given the President’s Award at the Korean Pop Culture and Arts Awards.

In 2015, she was also in the film "Assassination", making the movie a huge success. The movie was the highest-grossing Korean film of the year and the seventh all-time highest-grossing film in Korean cinema history. Jeon Jihyun was awarded Best Actress at the Grand Bell Awards and Max Movie Awards.

In 2016, Jeon Jihyun was ranked 8th on Forbes Korea Power Celebrity, it was her second consecutive year in the top 10, having 4th ranked in 2015.

In November 2016, the actress made her small-screen drama comeback in SBS "Legend of the Blue Sea", with actor Lee Minho. Jeon Jihyun was ranked 9th on Gallup Korea’s list of the 10th Best Actors of 2016, becoming the only woman included on the list.

iKON - Love Scenario

iKON - Love Scenario

"Sarangeul haetta uriga manna, Jiuji motthal chueogi dwaettda."

You might have heard these lyrics playing at events, radio stations, online music streams, etc. iKON’s Love Scenario has been a major success, topping the music charts, winning Gaon’s platinum certification for streaming (also Song of The Year), and it also became a top song in Billboard Korea for the first half of 2018. The song also reached an all-skill status. Not only that, 9 months after the song has been release, ‘Love Scenario’ has been popular not only locally, but also worldwide.

But what was the meaning behind the song? Love Scenario is a breakup song, mixing the beat and instrumentals, describing someone who gets over from a breakup, getting over from a failed relationship. Also, the items that appeared on the music video symbolize the memories of the member’s past lover. Having movie tapes as an element for the music video symbolizes the absence of their other half, being compared to the ending of the movie. The song beats blends up the hip-hop vibe, soft instrumentals, jazzy rock, and EDM beats. The lighting also symbolizes the loneliness, comparing the lightness and dark theme. The choreography emphasizes each song's parts while having a catchy melody, making each member shine between their lines. B.I having a distinct rap while harmonizing to the beat, which passed to Jay’s soothing voice. If you love Bobby, surely he will take over your heart with his rap (believe me, it will make you hard to recover for so many feels.) D.K and June passing the mic to B.I. Adding choreography in rap parts as each member dancing with it. Song and Chan (which always making everyone confused by having the same look.) sweet vocals, making the track to have an uplifting and positive mood. What makes it unique was that the song is so catchy despite having a heartbreaking meaning behind the song.

If you have recalled in the Korean Variety show called "Weekly Idol" which they had iKON as their guest, the group revealed that Love Scenario was inspired by the movie ’La La Land’ last part. It’s all about the love story that will be difficult to erase; reminiscing the memories of being painful yet beautiful at the same time.

‘Love Scenario’ being popular for kids.

The song became so much popular among the kids, even the elementary students. The song was also used by the kids in learning how to write in Hangul, and to practice their writings. Aside from that, the kids also sing and dance to the song and uploaded it on their social media accounts, which became a trend in South Korea.

Due to its popularity, some elementary schools banned the song in the classroom due to the students singing it too much. But banning the song doesn’t stop the trend, the iKONICS (name of iKON fandom) hosted a special sing event called "PiKONIC" day for all the fans.

Aside from the events circulating around the world, the popularity of the song never stops trending. Once again, it gathered online attention for showing up such as in the fitness class, formal music events. But one thing that made the attention of the people gathered was when the song was being performed in a church in South Korea. Although they made a little rendition to fit on the said event, still, the song is easily being distinguished by many.

A lot of fans are totally shocked by how the song became so popular and how it became an influential song to many. The fans are not able to contain their ’feels’ which made them tweet about it through their Twitter pages, sharing their delight and how proud they are on iKON.

Yang Hyunsuk, the founder of YG Entertainment which is iKON’s home base, posted a compilation of the videos through his Instagram page.

Due to the popularity rise of the song, as of November 2019, ’Love Scenario’ has reached 300 million views on YouTube, making it their first music video that surpassed 350 million views. ’Love Scenario’ is the title track of their second full album"Return" which was released last January 25, 2018.

The song also featured in different shows in Korea, such as The Return of Superman, Running Man, Infinite Challenge, Happy Together, 2 days 1 night, and more.

Samsung also collaborated with iKON to have exclusive skin and emote in Fortnite. The 3 companies agreed to release and launch the iKONIK Skin basing on iKON’s Chanwoo or Chan, and a new Scenario emote for Fortnite that is said to be perfectly paired with the iKON’s Love Scenario tune. These are exclusive to the players who own Samsung Galaxy s10, s10+, or s10e, and the set will remain accessible to Fortnite players until December 31, 2019.

Even if you’re a Kpop Fan or not, this song is definitely your favorite vibe, regardless of the year. Congratulations, iKON!

ARTLOVER Releases new single

ARTLOVER Releases new single

South Korean native and London based K Pop rapper ARTLOVER has unveiled her new single "Heart Of Stone" available on all digital retailers now.

The single tells a story about personal growth served as a hip hop banger with knocking drums and heavy bass. As always ARTLOVER puts her emotions up front.

"In order to grow strong as a person you need the courage to step away from yourself and view your life and your actions from the outside, this song is about that process" - says the singer.

The track was recorded in Los Angeles CA and was produced and co written by Swedish songwriter Max Billion.

Before ARTLOVER got into music, she had a successful career as a make up artist with clients such as Vogue and Elle. She released her debut single "Want U Back" in 2018 followed by her critically praised EP "Queen Of Retro" later the same year.

"Heart Of Stone" is the first single off her sophomore EP due out this fall. The song is coupled with a music video.

You can view her video here youtube.com/watch?v=UlEDPZn6WS8 .