Biography
2NE1 was a South Korean girl group formed by YG Entertainment, which was active between 2009 and 2016. The group was composed of four members: Bom, CL, Dara, and Minzy. Known for breaking typical stereotypes of K-pop, musical experimentation, fashion, and stage presence, they are recognized for expanding girl group styles in the Korean music industry and have become one of the leading figures of the Korean wave.
The group was introduced in March 2009 after appearing on the promotional single "Lollipop" alongside label-mate Big Bang. 2NE1 rose to prominence with the release of their debut extended play 2NE1 (2009), which featured the singles "Fire" and "I Don't Care". The latter was named the Mnet Asian Music Award for Song of the Year, making 2NE1 the first idol group to receive a Daesang (grand prize) in the same year of debut. They followed up their debut EP with their first studio album, To Anyone (2010), and their second EP; the latter produced four chart-topping singles including Bom's "Don't Cry", "Lonely", "I Am the Best" and "Ugly". Considered the first international tour by a K-pop girl group, their New Evolution Global Tour visited eleven cities in seven countries in Asia and North America in 2012, and their show at the Prudential Center in New Jersey was named the second-best concert of the year by The New York Times.
2NE1 released their final studio album, Crush, in 2014. It was the first album by a Korean artist to break into the top 100 of the US Billboard 200, debuting at number 61, and remaining the highest-charting Korean album for over two years. By the end of 2014, 2NE1 amassed a total of nine number-one songs on the Gaon Digital Chart. After a period of group hiatus, Minzy announced her departure from 2NE1 in April 2016, while YG Entertainment announced that the other three members had disbanded that November. Their final single, "Goodbye", was recorded as a trio and was released in January 2017. In April 2022, 2NE1 performed for the first time since their disbandment at the Coachella festival as a surprise reunion, which was named by several publications as one of the year's best performances at the festival.
The group won numerous accolades throughout their career, including nine Melon Music Awards, eleven Cyworld Digital Music Awards, and ten Mnet Asian Music Awards, and were the first artist to receive all three grand prizes at the latter by their second year. The group has sold 66 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.
