Although they’ve said that they wouldn’t promoting “Lonely“, it seems we should’ve known better. After dropping two hints through their YG-Life blog yesterday, YG Entertainment trolled us all by announcing that 2NE1 will be performing “Lonely” on SBS’s “Inkigayo“.
Through YG-Life, representatives stated, “On May 29th, 2NE1 will be performing ‘Lonely’ on broadcast only once.”
Representatives of “Inkigayo” elaborated, “Although they’ve already announced that they wouldn’t be promoting it, fans have been making endless requests and the 2NE1 members themselves wanted to stand on stage for it as well.”
In celebration of 2NE1’s two year anniversary, member Dara left a special message on May 17th for their fans through her official Me2day.
She wrote, “Congratulations 2NE1’s birthday!!! ^.^ Today! is! 2NE1’s two year anniversary!!! Clap clap clap!!! Everyone must be listening to ‘Lonely‘ a lot! Explosive gratitude! So touched! I love you! ^.^”
She continued, “Even when hardships come our way, let’s pool our strengths together and take them on side by side~ We’ll always be with you with good music, impressive performances, and a genuine heart! 2NE1, let’s play!!!”
Fans commented, “10 years, 20 years, and more than 50 years from now, let’s be together~”, “2NE1’s popularity is soaring through the sky!”, and “Let’s all run!”
2NE1’s Sandara Park recently uploaded a picture of herself at Yonsei University, right after she had spoken for a special lecture at the school.
Sandara Park was invited as a guest speaker for a marketing class, and specially received a hooded jumper as gift for her contribution. Sandara wrote on her Me2day, “This is a present I received after the lecture~!!! ^.^ I’m one who really likes hooded jumpers too!!! I’ll wear it often~! When 2NE1 get invited to Yonsei again, I’ll definitely wear this! ^^”.
2NE1’s “Lonely” has achieved not only an ‘all-kill’ on the charts, but a ‘perfect all-kill’!
According to ranking compilation chart ‘iChart‘, 2NE1’s “Lonely” has ranked #1 on both live, daily, and weekly music charts. Not only that, but their music video has garnered over 4 million views over the course of four days and is still ranked #1 on Korean video portals like Gom TV.
Because the girls are usually known for their powerful performance style and electronic sounds, winning with “Lonely”, an analog track that relies purely on their vocals, is all that more meaningful.
Fans commented, “The song is great and the girls pulled it off well” and “There’s a great vocal balance between the members.”
2NE1 have recently unleashed their first track of 2011, titled “Lonely“, just ahead of their full-fledged comeback this June.
Just a week ago, lead vocalist Park Bom debuted her solo digital single, “Don’t Cry“, and if that was any indication, it sounds like YG Entertainment has finally decided to pull back from the over digitized sound and veer their efforts toward a more experimental approach with 2NE1.
If anything, the change is paying off.
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Rather than following the cookie-cutter trends of K-pop, 2NE1 have been setting their own ever since their explosive debut back in 2009. It’s undeniable that these four ladies bring something completely different to the scene than any other active girl group right now, which makes them that much more important as a contributing factor to the progression of the Korean pop music industry.
2NE1 have grown to be edgy, innovative, and believable as artists in their own right; when 2NE1 introduced swag, attitude, and brute force to the scene, many girl groups were quick to follow. However, the authenticity and fierceness of 2NE1’s style remains to be tested by their valiant competitors.
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“Lonely” stands out as a newly released track because it’s much slower than anyone was expecting from 2NE1, but there’s one other thing that stands out about it as well.
In a thoughtful move by the songwriter, this song doesn’t feature a lick of rap. Pop songwriters, now more than ever, feel the need to insert rap into every single song/ballad they can muster because it’s ‘automatically cool and interesting that way’ when most times it could really go without, and this song unfolds just fine on its own. Instead of killer rap lines, we get a large dose of CL, who is arguably the shining star in “Lonely”, as she gives us a variation of vocal skills. She tests out her falsetto, and while I maintain her forte is rap, it goes without saying that CL has quite the singing voice (one that always risks breaking any emotional connection with the listener by almost getting too fierce on us).
Not surprisingly, Sandara Park holds her ground, like in every 2NE1 song, as the filler-transitional voice between the strongest singers in the group. Park Bom, who reminds me of the Park Bom in “The First Mini Album“, is not only given great parts of the song, but is allowed to handle the ad-libs (yes, ad-libs) at the end just like a proper lead vocalist should. And by all means, does a mighty nice job of not over singing or shouting them, a step above previous releases for her. Bom just sounds comfortable.
Finally, we have Minzy, who has the capability of blowing the roof off 2NE1’s singles but is never given the opportunity to do so. Here, Minzy delivers that very rich timbre of hers and carries most of the lower notes that the other ladies can’t quite hit. The difference: Minzy can hit both the lows and highs because she has a prominent chest voice, but we’re stuck listening to her deeper tones for now.
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“Lonely” sees 2NE1 putting a damper on the auto-tuned rage of everything on “To Anyone” (I’m sure we’ll hear its reprise, or at least a heavier form of processing by next month). Instead, this sounds like they’ve cut everything down to just vocals and a couple accompaniments. It almost feels like someone laid an ever-so-thinly trimmed veil over 2NE1’s vocals, not exactly to muffle their vocals, but to cut it back from sounding crisp. On top of that, “Lonely” is very resonant, far more than any of their previous singles; if you listen closely, you can hear what I mean throughout the verses (CL’s first line).
In truth, “Lonely” plays out just like YG wants it to – sounding ‘acoustic’ and ‘live session-like’ without actually being either of those. YG have noticed that not many idols have stripped that thick layer of glitz and glamour away, nor used the indie-esque vibes as a comeback tactic, and they’re going in straight for the kill here.
Rather than strutting in unison into the future like they did last year, 2NE1 are coming at us from a brand new angle, one that we haven’t seen them from, and there’s something very refreshing about that. Listeners have always known that 2NE1 possess an undefined amount of vocal talent, and the best thing about “Lonely” is that it’s one of the better releases to showcase those abilities.
The ladies of 2NE1 absolutely killed it this week, thanks to their new song, “Lonely“.
After releasing the track on May 11th, 2NE1 plucked the #1 spot on the real-time music charts, and what’s more, they continued to hold it beyond the 24-hour peak period. Keep in mind, these results are based off digital music purchases from fans in Korea.
2NE1 has just announced that they’ll be releasing “Lonely” through iTunes, which means international fans get the chance to give the girls a special gift in the form of a high-ranking spot on the iTunes chart. Who knows – with enough purchases, these ladies may even get to grab their own ‘all-kill’ on iTunes!
Fans can purchase “Lonely” through the helpful little button below. Let’s see these girls “rock and make it to the top“!
Having seen miss A, SHINee, B2ST, SG Wannabe, and SECRET leaving on anearlier flighton May 13th, more K-pop stars followed on an evening flight after completing their day schedules.
Those who left on the evening flight included f(x), 4minute, SISTAR and 2AM. The girl groups had to pre-record their Music Bank performances earlier in the day before catching the later flight.
And like always, the airport was dazzled by the idols’ glamorous airport fashion
With such a formidable line-up, it’s no wonder that K-pop fans in Japan are super amped for the May 14th concert at the Saitama Super Arena!
Having revealed promotional shots earlier, Etude House revealed three web teasers for Sandara Park’s endorsement of their new summer collection, ‘Aloha Girl‘.
The three web teasers are titled, ‘Catch me Dara’, ‘Water-play Dara’ and ‘I’m a rocker Dara’. They showcase Dara’s never-ending charms while she touts their product, “Proof 10 Henna Fix Mascara“.
Stay tuned for the full version, which will be unveiled on May 18th!
Fans received a shock after 2NE1’s Dara publicly revealed her cell phone number through her Me2day!
On May 10th, Dara uploaded a picture of her business card and wrote, “In the early morning, I become sensitive. Dal-ong is so lonely. Am I going to get into mischief tonight?! Whatever~! Revealing my number! I’m so lonely!”
She also added, “If I’m working, my manager or the other members might take the call for me.”
As it turns out, her number’s actually for a unique promotions tactic that YG Entertainment is using for “Lonely.” Representatives revealed, “If you call the number written on the business card, you’ll be able to hear a portion of ‘Lonely’ that repeats. It’s a unique event, and we’re already receiving an explosive response with hundreds of calls.”
*International fans are advised to check on overseas phone charges before attemping.
YG Entertainment is kicking off their 2NE1 promotions with full-force through this second teaser for ”Lonely“.
Whileyesterday’s clip featured CL, today’s video exhibits Minzy’s more mature vocals. In fact, the captions in the video promise that fans will get to hear Minzy’s “warm and emotional voice“.
We’re betting that YGE will continue their trend of ceaseless teasers, so stay tuned for clips from members Park Bom and Dara!
