QUEZON City, Philippines – (November 29) – The day after the news came out that 2ne1 was officially disbanded, I was listening to my playlist that time. The songs are randomly playing from my phone ‘coz it’s on a shuffle mode. All of the sudden “Come Back Home” by K-pop girl group 2NE1 just played. That’s actually one of my favorite song from the group, and also reminds me of my best friend that introduced me to K-pop. It’s just really heart breaking inside knowing that the iconic K-pop girl group that we once idolized is now disbanded –that means we are not going to hear any new music from them again.
As of Friday, November 25, YG Entertainment announced through their company’s website that the agency was “deeply saddened to let 2NE1 go” after seven years but decided that it is “better” for the members to pursue solo careers.
The issue of the members focusing on their own careers is one of the reasons that was said to be the significant cause of the disbandment.
Recently – as the media reckons these things – Park Bom has been implicated with the use of illegal drugs while two other members were busy pursuing their own career goals – namely, CL with her solo music, and Sandara with her television activities.
From the released information, YG stated that two of the members – CL and Sandara – just renewed their contracts with the entertainment company, but YG itself admitted that they can no longer manage Park Bom and Minzy – with two opting not to renew their contracts.
2ne1 is very popular from their first debut single “Fire”back in 2009. I was first year high school that time, and I remember that when I first saw their video on MTV, my world just stopped. And I just keep singing the song “I don’t care”. No wonder that that song won “Song of The Year” award at the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards.
The popularity of the girl group went to the next level after “I am the Best” was released on June 2011 that really satisfies our ears with the catchy beats. There’s no hesitation that 2NE1 is one of K-pop’s most iconic girl group. They dominated the K-pop industry like no other.
Throughout their career they produced different genres of music including pop, hip-hop, reggae, electronica, and also R&B. Their song called “Falling in Love” has sounds reminiscent of reggae and became a certified hit not just because of the catchy beat but also because of the dance step that many girls can’t get enough to try. No wonder that they are the most loved K-pop girl group, that even the craziest dance steps from the other girl group can’t beat their songs and the group itself.
2NE1’s final album, Crush, make it to the No.2 spot on the World Album chart and also appeared at No. 9 on the Independent Albums charts. And before entirely leaving the stage of fame, the girl band was last seen together at 2015 MAMAs performing their most popular songs “Fire” and “I am the Best”.
The band will surely not be forgotten by the millennial generation, not just because of the music, but because of the history they made not only in K-pop, but in pop culture in general.
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(written by Francis Albuen, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Vince Alvin Villarin)