K-Pop : 2NE1 > WG
What is K-Pop? K-pop is an abbreviation for Korean Pop, specifically from South Korea. K-pop is similar to English pop music, with R&B, dance, and hip-hop being very popular genres in the 2000s. Although bubblegum pop is still very popular in South Korea, many of the new emerging idol groups are diverging from the bubblegum pop style that has become prominent in the K-pop scene. This book is going to explore the world of K-Pop by comparing South Koreas famous 2NE1 and the Wonder Girls.
Who are the Wonder Girls?
The Wonder Girls are a girl group - Sunye, Ye-eun, Sohee, Yubin and Sunmi - under the JYP label. Debuting in early 2007, they have scored three consecutive number 1 hit singles: “Tell Me”, “So Hot”, and “Nobody”. “Tell Me” sparked off a dance craze and the use of repetitive lyrics in K-pop songs. The group began their entry into the American market in 2009, with lead single “Nobody” (English version)
Tell Me
Like “Tell Me”, “Nobody” also sparked off a dance craze. The Wonder Girls released an English version of their single “Nobody” on June 26, 2009, just one day before the start of their tour with the Jonas Brothers. On January 22, 2010, it was announced that Sunmi would be postponing her musical career to pursue an academic career.
I want nobody nobody
but you
Who are 2NE1?
2NE1 are a girl group - Bom, CL, Dara and Minzy - created by YG Entertainment. The group’s name was initially announced as “21”; however, due to the discovery of a singer with the same name, the group was quickly renamed “2NE1”. 2NE1 stands for “New Evolution of the 21st Century, pronounced “to anyone” or “twenty-one”. First appearing in a Cyon commercial campaign with Big Bang for LG Telecom, their debut single “Fire” was released on May 6, 2009.
“Fire” was released as planned on May 6, with two versions of the music video — a “space” version and a “street” version — released the same day. The videos received over one million views in a day. Each member has released their own singles. Dara was the first of the members who released her own single, Kiss ft. CL, Bom with You and I, and Please Don’t Go by CL and Minzy.
Fire
I don’t care e e e
2NE1 >
WG
I prefer 2NE1 over the Wonder Girls because although they both follow the K-Pop style of repeated lyrics, I prefer 2NE1’s hiphop direction. I believe that the girls in 2NE1 are each really talented individually, as well as in a group.
I like Wonder Girls because of their ability to always perform in synchronization, but they always wear matching outfits, whereas 2NE1 display individual talent and style. 2NE1 also give more high energy live performances than the WG.