USA/FILE: Successful K-pop group 2NE1 say they have a lot more to prove before they consider themselves truly famous

Record ID: 654127

  • Title: USA/FILE: Successful K-pop group 2NE1 say they have a lot more to prove before they consider themselves truly famous
  • Date: 20th August 2012
  • Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 20, 2012) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) BOM, 2NE1, SAYING: "I don't think that we made it all the way yet. We want to continue improving to bring you better music."
  • Embargoed: 4th September 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Arts
  • Reuters ID: LVA4OLMARQ8SVZPOW5XZDWGF75VY
  • Story Text: 2NE1 brings the East to the West.
    The four member K-pop group has arrived in the United States hoping to achieve the same type of success they have already found in their native country of South Korea, which they said is just the tip of the ice berg.
    "I don't think that we made it all the way yet. We want to continue improving to bring you better music," said Bom.
    Just four days ago, the all-female group comprised of CL, Minzy, Dara and Bom performed their first American concert in New Jersey. Still buzzing from the experience, the group said fans overwhelmed them with energy.
    "I think our fans are alike, no matter where we go. Especially those who come to our concerts, they jump along and enjoy with us so we have a good time wherever we go," she explained.
    "Korean Pop" or "K-Pop" has grown in popularity since the mid-1990s. Distinguished K-Pop features include repetitive choruses and synchronized group dancing. With the genre becoming more popular, U.S. Billboard introduced a new K-Pop Hot 100 chart category earlier this year.
    As with many K-pop acts, the group was formed by a South Korean entertainment company in 2005, and named 2NE1, which is pronounced "twenty-one" or "to anyone". The members said the training to become a group was important.
    "That's the time when we find ourselves and that's when are character is made. I mean like Bom and Minzy have been like training for eight years and a long time for us too. That's the time we're made, so it is really important," said group leaded CL.
    Mega stars in Asia, the group was looking forward to being somewhat low-key while in the U.S., but were surprised to run into a few fans. They did, however find some alone time.
    "We were shocked and amused at the same time. And we don't have much opportunity to walk outside so we walked around a lot and got a tan. So we had a great time here," CL told Reuters.
    But the singers won't be able to hide for long -- now that they have started working with the Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.AM their star power is sure to keep growing. Minzy said they had an immediate connection with the American musician.
    "My impression was that music was at the base of his life, he lives his life through music. And he almost felt like a friend and we ate Korean food like chicken porridge soup together," she said with a smile.
    The group members range in age from 18 to 28, and the ladies say they don't notice the age difference. However, Bom, who is 28, joked that she is afraid of the younger members: "I am scared of them. These two girls are extremely smart, how do I put it - they are like my mom and dad so they take good care of me."
    2NE1 will continue their U.S. tour with a show in Los Angeles, California.
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