Get your dose of 2NE1

K-pop girl group 2NE1 perform at the “2NE1 Nolza in Japan Concert” in October, 2011. Starting with shows on July 28 and 29 at the Olympic Gymnastics Gymnasium in southern Seoul, the group will embark on the “New Evolution” tour to 10 cities in seven countries including Japan, the United States and Hong Kong. (Photo : Courtesy of YG Entertainment)

If any girl group has a chance of global success, 2NE1 should be one.

They are fluent in English and other languages; have distinct flair and charisma that fill up any arena; natural talent in singing and dancing; and years of training.

They are also blessed with one of the most consistent, prolific and creative producers and one of the nation’s biggest agencies backing them with K-pop’s finest records, namely Teddy Park and YG Entertainment. The case of the newest single “I Love You,” which was released last week, speaks volumes about why there is an even brighter future ahead.

Released to an extremely polarized public reception, the track kept the group in the center of the limelight. Even against some of the industry’s strongest groups in competition, including tried-and-true boy band Super Junior and star girl groups T-ARA and Sistar, they are holding their ground.

The single’s oddly catchy melody on top of subtle beats slowly sneaks into the listener’s head and stays there like a kind of brain itch. The electro-pop sound is a complete departure from their past; now more than ever, fans will look forward to and speculate even more fervently on the sound of the next studio album, due out before the end of the year but currently without a fixed release date.

But before that, those quick enough will get a chance to see them live ― if they can get a ticket to the upcoming tour before it sells out. <The Korea Times/Kwaak Je-yup>

news@theasian.asia