2NE1 is unlike any other girl group in the K-pop industry when it comes to girl groups. They are at the top of my biased list in large part because of their strong image and the amazing tunes that have been assigned to them. After their outstanding 2014 album Crush, I thought I’d try to narrow down their stellar singles run to my top ten favorites while I wait (relatively patiently) for a comeback.
Hate You
Hate You is the most underappreciated of all the singles that were released in 2011 (their best year). It lacks any sort of gimmick or even a single distinguishing feature, but the song’s hook is among the best earworms in the group’s discography. It simply seems so naturally cool.
Happy
It was refreshing to see 2NE1 perform something a little more understated and blatantly upbeat because their music typically focuses on empowerment and swagger. Happy had established itself as a dependable pop tune and mood-lifter, even though Come Back Home temporarily overshadowed it when it was launched.
Lonely
The simplicity and unadulterated emotion of this song, one of the best contemporary Korean r&b ballads, are what gives it power. Even while 2NE1 isn’t typically recognized for its catchy songs, this is one of the rare songs that would sound just as effective with a straightforward piano accompaniment.
Come Back Home
Even though I’m not a huge fan of the trap music subgenre, Come Back Home skillfully blends the 2014 craze into a song that mixes many musical styles to create a uniquely Korean smash. The longing, sweeping chorus unites everything and delivers an unanticipated blow.
I Am The Best
One of the few k-pop songs known to western audiences through its use in advertisements, I Am The Best is so much more than a little soundbite. As a hype track, it represents the very best of what YG Entertainment has to offer. Attitude and charisma fuel the track, but that elastic beat is a modern classic.
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