[Star Cast] 2NE1 Star Anatomy – 2NE1

[텐아시아 = 장서윤, 최진실 기자] Despite the flood of “idol dance groups”, there are only a few girl groups whose members have distinctive individual colors like 2NE1: Charismatic leader CL, unique vocal BOM, cutie DARA, and natural-born dancer MINZY.

 

In this fifth year from their debut, 2NE1 tried a transformation through their new single “MISSING YOU”, where 2NE1 members present a combination of their intense colors with new feminine appeal. We are analyzing every detail of 2NE1, a girl group recognized for maximum exhibition of each member’s natural appeals, in terms of their music, dance, fashion, physiognomy, and figure.

# Music & Vocal – Female musicians’ leap forward in changing times of the 2000s

 

General: Center of girl groups with a focus on women & Differentiated strategy based on each member’s individuality

 

– Cho Hong Gyung, Head of VoiceFact (Vocal master for JTBC channel’s ‘Hidden Singer’)

 

2NE1 debuted under the title of “Female BIGBANG”. At that time, they showed a differentiated strategy that highlights distinctive colors of each member. The team’s music has a melody easy for anyone to follow, which is one of the advantages of 2NE1.

 

By member, CL is the one whose appeal grows as she grows older. She is the most dynamic and powerful in vocal, and has a kind of riot and chic appeal. Her vocal is the most powerful and colorful in the team.

 

BOM brings the musical perfection of 2NE1 to the maximum, with her unique voice and solid singing ability. She has a very unique tone, but I think she needs to make more efforts to make her advantages shine on the stage. DARA always brightens the team’s mood, as the eldest one, but needs some improvement in singing. “Dancer” MINZY appeals with an outstanding singing ability, along with CL. Since her dance is so great, she would rather more boldly exert her power in the team.

 

– Bae Sun Tak, Music Critic (Writer for MBC’s radio show “Bae Chul Soo’s Music Camp)

 

Few pop music can be explained on its own. In most cases, music positioned itself in a close relation with society of its times. This is why girl group 2NE1 is important. Their music enables us to read changes in our society from the 2000’s. Let us think about “I Don’t Care”, the most famous song of 2NE1. As you know, the song says to a play boy that “I don’t care even if you leave me”. In line with such song and lyrics, 2NE1 maintained a rather unisex fashion style and sometimes, strong image.

 

Roughly, 2NE1 can be called a girl group who showed women’s confidence, escaping from general girl groups’ focus on fulfilling men’s fantasy for women. This is not an exaggeration, but a demonstration of the trend of our times. One of the global phenomena from the 2000’s was evolution of female musicians and girl groups. This exactly dovetails with women’s rights improving year after year. The seed sown by Madonna in the 1980’s is blossoming now, and one of the few musicians at the center of the trend is 2NE1.

 

#Dance –Free but restrained

 

General: CL’s cute charisma. Confidence coming from trust is the biggest asset

 

– Ha Hwi Dong, MVP B-Boy Snake of Mnet Channel’s “Dancing 9” Season 1

 

One of the most important elements of a show is the beginning of songs. CL has an outstanding talent of making the intro of a song very appealing, with her charisma mixed with cuteness. DARA looks fit for a cute dance for a song like “DO YOU LOVE ME”. The song goes the best with her and she expresses the song charmingly. MINZY is definitely the one who dances most easily and even shows comfortable facial expression while dancing. BOM’s vocal is helped by other members in her own part, but she displays much presence in other parts.

– Kim Wan Sun, Singer

 

For a singer, dancing is something like wearing make-up and stage costumes. Dance is a means of expressing a singer’s song and music better. Of course, it will be better if every singer can dance like a professional dancer, but it’s hard to sing and dance professionally at the same time. Plus, I’m kind of conservative and I think the cart should never put before the horse. In this respect, I think 2NE1’s dance subtly does not disrupt their singing while expressing the music uniquely. 2NE1 looks rough and care-free at a glance, but their facial expression and attitude are restrained. Most of all, they believe in their own talent and have confidence and self-esteem that come from the staff they trust. I see that is the strongest advantage of 2NE1, better than any technique or dance.
 

#Fashion –From fresh chameleon into matured woman

 

General: Street fashion + black hip-hop look combined with a classy feel

 

– Chae Gyu In, Desinger

 

From the days of their debut, 2NE1 has given a feel like a fresh chameleon. Street fashion of Tokyo and London and black hip-hop look have been at the center of 2NE1’s fashion and more recently, high-end collection (luxury clothes) is added. Every detail in 2NE1’s fashion suggests that they are now trying transformation into a “grown-up woman” from bubbly and girly image displayed through past albums.

 

Notably, CL’s nude scene in the music video of 2NE1’s latest song “MISSING YOU” is an active attempt to show a matured woman’s appeal.

 

The broad-brimmed hat and smoking look in the music video of “MISSING YOU” are items for 1970-1980’s retro style, so the style looks like a re-interpretation of the retro in a modern sense. Such concept of “MISSING YOU” feels like a new version of “LONELY” released in 2011 but in terms of originality, “LONELY” is better. However, the look for “MISSING YOU” arouses curiosity by presenting feminine appeal from varied and colorful styling that includes items like sequined dress. I think now it is time for 2NE1 to try new things and take a step forward.

– Lee Eun Ah, Stylist

 

It seems that CL has the widest range of fashion style among 2NE1 members. She sometimes surprises the public by her extreme styling on the stage, but shows an outstanding sense of matching unusual accessories and props. In her daily life too, she displays a variety of style including funky, chic, and mannish look. BOM has beautiful legs so she frequently wears a micro-mini skirt or dress, and shorts. It will be better if she tries more varied and active styling that can highlight her legs.

DARA used to enjoy the most “hip” fashion among 2NE1 members, but recently, she displays easy but sensible daily fashion using accessories. On the other hand, she enjoys feminine and elegant style on the stage. DARA always wears skinny pants and belt for day-to-day styling, and that is a good expression of her own style. MINZY has changed the lest since 2NE1’s debut in terms of style. She usually wears a jacket and simple pants, and it seems that she does not want to try an extreme style, pursuing stable styling.

# Physiognomy: Face of talent and success

 

– Cho Gyu Moon, Name and Fortune Research Center, Professor of East Philosophy, Graduate School of Culture and Art, Kyonggi University

 

CL: First, CL’s forehead is wide, regular-featured, and shiny, so it’s good. In physiognomy, forehead shows one’s fortune in early life until 30 years of age, as well as the fortune regarding one’s career. CL has a good fortune in her early life, including good parents. Plus, since her forehead suggests a good fortune in her career, she will succeed in her work according to physiognomy. Eyebrows suggest one’s fortune related to his/her siblings. CL’s eyebrows are thin but mild and clear, which reminds of a crescent moon. This suggests that she goes well with the other 2NE1 members and is able to build a strong tie with them. Her lips are thick and the corners go upward. This kind of mouth means popularity and nobleness. To point out a disadvantage, her nostrils are seen from the font, which means that the person spends money on unnecessary things. So, CL will be better if she can pay extra attention to how to manage money.

 

BOM: In physiognomy, forehead, eyes and nose, and mouth, jaw, and chin suggest one’s early, middle, and later life. The black and white in BOM’s eyes are clearly divided, so she can be healthy and wise, succeeding in her career. Nose, which symbolized wealth, is straight and strong, so BOM will be able to make much money. However, in physiognomic terms, her upper lip looks thinner than the underlip, so BOM may consider putting a lip makeup to make the upper lip thick and red like the lower one.

DARA: The shape of her face is oval, which is usual for the beauty. Plus, the proportion of her forehead, part from the eyes to the end of the nose, and part from there to the end of the face is 1:1:1, which is the face of nobleness. Her forehead suggests success in career and her eyes, which show one’s health, are also good. Her nose, which means wealth, is pretty and thick, so she has both beauty and wealth. A beauty is popular among men, which can work as a double-edged sword.

 

MINZY: Her eyes slightly slant upward and show a strong character and charisma. This type of eyes is for a confident person who has talent and abilities. The part between eyebrows suggests fortune related to real estate, and this part is broad for her. So, it may work for her to invest in real estate. The part under the eyes look somewhat thin, so she will be able to gain more luck if she puts makeup on this part to look more thick and bright.

 

2013. 12. 19.