Their 1st Japan Tour “NOLZA in Japan” took place in 3 locations consisting of 6 performances that gathered 70000 attendees and recorded the highest ever number in history. They are the pop icons of the 21st century, 2NE1!

This time, 2NE1 came to Japan for a joint press conference and interviews for the promotion of their first single “GO AWAY” to be released on November 16th. This special interview will show a precious glimpse into some surprising aspects of 2NE1 including things to listen out for in the “GO AWAY” Japanese version, highlights of the music video, the state of their Japan Tour, hobbies of each member, artists that have influenced them and some enjoyable girl talk!!

You will definitely come to love 2NE1 even more!!

Your debut mini album “NOLZA” made its first appearance at 1st place on the Oricon Weekly Album Ranking. Congratulations! Please tell us each of your thoughts on this.

CL: I was really happy. I was a bit concerned about everyone’s reaction to our debut but I’m really happy.
Bom: These results that were beyond my expectations surprised me. I just thought ‘I must learn more Japanese’.
Dara: It was the first time we worked outside of Korea so I thought there were many people who didn’t know about 2NE1 so getting 1st place was like a dream. From now on, I’ll try even harder!
Minzy: When I heard we got 1st, I was really happy. The fact that everyone was interested in 2NE1 was, above everything else, an honour.

Your first Japan tour gathered 70000 attendees marking a splendid achievement. Please tell us your thoughts about the tour.

CL: It was like “it’s our first concert in Japan so is it okay to have this much fun?” It was just “concert addiction”! (laugh)
Bom: I was happy that so many people came! I was also thrilled to see so many fans dressed in the same costumes as 2NE1! Eventually, I want to do a concert at Tokyo Dome!
Dara: I really enjoyed this first tour of ours. After experiencing this, I want to do more concerts in other places.
Minzy: From the start of the concert, everyone was standing while singing and dancing so it was really fun to just be able to “nolza” (play)!

Also, “GO AWAY” which was showcased at your concert will be released soon so tell us what to listen out for in the song as well as your thoughts on it.

CL: “GO AWAY is a song about a woman going through unrequited love but it’s an up-tempo and positive song so we always sang it for the encore of our concerts. I think it’s a song that gets everyone to sing and dance and become one.
Bom: It’s a really fun melody so when you listen to it, you’ll become refreshed.
Dara: In concert performances, it’s like a musical production. The more people there are, the more fun it becomes.

Now then, please tell us about the music video.

CL: Actually, there are some drawing I drew decorated in the background of the music video. In the scene with all 4 of us together, my drawing appears so definitely check that out (laugh).
Bom: It was something I wanted to try doing before which was the bubble bath scene! (laugh) I think I was able to show sexiness while being cute!
Dara: This time, I appeared with me pet cat (laugh). But he got really scared so we could only shoot about 2 or 3 seconds of him (laugh).
Minzy: As for me, I appeared with my pet dog (laugh). She wore the same coloured hat as me and I think I should give her the Best Actress Award (laugh).

Tell us about the lyrics. It’s a song about a woman experiencing unrequited love but if you were to experience something like this for yourself, what kind of behaviour or actions would you display?

CL: That’s a secret! (laugh) I want to be a single that is able to give encouragement to people experiencing this kind of thing.
Bom: This woman’s actions were straightforward but in actual instances, I think it depends on the person. Doesn’t it change depending on the personality of the man? It’s case-by-case.
Dara: I don’t really have much experience in love so I really don’t know. In saying that, I think I’d be crying like the coupling track “IT HURTS” but I want to be like the cool woman in “GO AWAY”.
Minzy: I also don’t have any experiences so… (laugh). But I really don’t know what actions I’d take. I think “behaviour” and “heart” are really different so I truly don’t know.

For example, if one of the members or a friend is going through this kind of experience, what actions would you take?

CL: I would take her out for a meal and listen to what she has to say. While listening to what she says, I’d try to distract her mind so she’ll be able to forget about it more quickly.
Bom: I would also listen to what she has to say first.
Dara: In that situation, they probably wouldn’t be able to take in what anyone has to say? I feel that the only thing you can do is be by their side.
Minzy: I’d have a meal and talk together with her.

The coupling track “IT HURTS” draws out the feelings of a very pained and delicate woman but what kind of song is it?

CL: It’s a jazz ballad and a song that can be called a new challenge to 2NE1.
Bom: While recording this track, I put too much emotion into it that I actually did the recording as I was crying.
Dara: I remember the recording but it felt like everyone just forgot themselves. It’s a sad song but you strangely don’t get sick of it even after listening to it for an entire day.
Minzy: I think there are probably lots of people with the same experience which is why I guess lots of people will be able to sympathise with the song?

I think you’re very busy with no time to rest but if you were able to have a break, what would you want to do?

CL: I would draw pictures. During our last break, I went to cooking classes. I learnt to cook French cuisines.

What are some dishes you’re good at?

CL: Things like pasta, gratin, French onion soup.
Dara: Her cakes and desserts are also really tasty! Everything is tasty.
Minzy: Among the desserts she makes, the orange pudding was magnificent! (laugh)

On stage, you’re very energetic and cool but among the members, CL seems to be the one who is a family type?

CL: Personally, I don’t think I’m the family type at all.
Bom: CL says that but she’s really the family type! CL and MINZY are the family types.

What are MINZY’s cooking specialties?

Minzy: I’m good at Korean cuisines and hotpot. Recently I’ve been into knitting so I gave BOM and DARA a present but I have yet to give one to CL (laugh).

BOM, what would you like to do during your break?

Bom: I want to watch Japanese dramas.

Lately, what have you watched?

Bom: “Zenkai Girl” was really interesting! I watch them in order to study Japanese.

How about DARA?

Dara: I love playing with my cat so we end up playing through our sleep time. I play with him starting from early in the morning (laugh).

MINZY, what is the thing you want to do most on your break?

Minzy: It’s still knitting. Otherwise watching movies, there are too many things I want to do! (laugh)

Is there anything you want to do in Japan in the future?

CL: We are currently doing Japanese versions of our already-released Korean songs but I’d like to make original Japanese songs soon.
Bom: If there’s a chance to, I’d like to do solo activities.
Dara: I want to learn more Japanese. For example, it’d be great if I could answer questions in these kinds of interviews without the need of a translator.
Minzy: I want to practice singing and dancing more so that I can show you even cooler performances.

Please tell us about the type of man you like.

CL: Answering that kind of question would be quite long so… (laugh). First of all, he needs to be manly. Also, it’d be good if it’s a person I can respect.
Bom: A person that will only give me love! Lots of it! (laugh)
Dara: I dream of a romance similar to that of a movie but I think it’d be nice to have a price-like person just like Hanazawa Rui (Kim Hyun Joong [KR]/Oguri Shun [JP]) from “Boys Over Flowers”.
Minzy: A person that has matching thoughts and values would be nice. If our hobbies and interests are the same, it’d be great.

Everyone dresses well and you are known to be the fashion leaders for young people but please tell us some of your fashion styles.

CL: To me, the most important thing is whether or not the fashion suits you. Recently, I’ve been sticking to a simple style.
Bom: I like short clothing. I also like clothing that is body-fitting.
Dara: I like the kinds of clothes that are comfortable to wear. Like casual style. However, my requirement is to keep the one-accent (accessory). For example, wearing a flashy hat.
Minzy: It depends on my mood at the time. I have times when I like a boyish style or times when I like a cutesy style.

During your Japan tour, many fans had copied your fashion but how you feel towards Japanese fans’ fashion sense?

CL: I think everyone in Japan dresses really stylishly. There are many people who dress in a variety of styles. They also have very elaborate hairstyles and makeup so I think it’s amazing.
Bom: I think they’re really stylish. Actually, I wore these clothes (from GO AWAY) while walking in Harajuku yesterday but no one really had any reaction to it (laugh). I think everyone is really unique and they all have their own style.
Dara: Rather than looking at other people, there are quite a lot of people that just go with their own style. I have picked up a lot from them.
Minzy: They have great fashion sense. There are many people that just have their own distinct personality. When travelling by car, I also check out people’s style.

I think it was quite difficult doing a new song in Japanese. If there are any Japanese phrases that you like or are interested in, please tell us.

CL: The phrase “naze ga suki dattan darou (why did I love you?)” sounds similar to some Korean words. In Korean, “naze” is “noon”, “suki” is “ski”, “datta” is “ride” and “darou” is like Dara’s (as in her nickname). In other words, I heard it as “Dara who skied in the afternoon” and it was so funny, I couldn’t stop laughing during the recording! (laugh) Our producer, TEDDY, got angry at me!
Dara: Yeah, at that time, it was just so funny, we couldn’t stop laughing so he got really angry and said “if you want to laugh then get out of the studio and laugh!” (laugh).

You’ve been to Japan a few times now but is there anything you’re looking forward to this time?

CL: Above everything else, I want to show everyone our music video.
Bom: I want to go to a hot spring. When I watch Japanese dramas, it seems like the actors enjoy getting in so much? I also want to be in a open-air bath whilst enjoying the scenery!
Dara: When we come to Japan, we rarely have free time but last night, I went for a walk outside. It felt really good.
Minzy: I love “Gundam” so I want to go to Akihabara.

Are there any Japanese musicians that have influenced you?

CL: Actually, when I was a child, my dad really liked Japanese rock so I often listened to Japanese rock. I don’t know who the artists are but sometimes when I’m walking in the streets of Japan or on TV, I hear those artists’ songs.
Bom: I really like a Japanese group called Speed.
Dara: During my trainee days, in the middle of the movie “Taiyou no Uta”, YUI-san sang a song called “Goodbye Days” whilst playing the guitar and I liked it so I sang it often. It was the first Japanese song I sang.
Minzy: The one who influences me the most is Koda Kumi-san. Recently, I was able to meet her in a music program and at that time, I was really happy since I received a DVD from her in person. That night, I immediately watched the DVD and studied her facial expressions and singing style.

It’s been decided that “YG Family Concert” will be held in Japan but is there anything you’re looking forward to or anything you want to show to 2NE1’s fans?

CL: Of course, it’s not just 2NE1 but also artists such as SE7EN and Gummy. There are amazing artists that all have different characters so I think we’ll be able to show you a variety of performances. Also, the process in making stages is very fascinating. I’m looking forward to the process in creating good things for everyone.
Bom: Just like the name “YG Family” suggests, the entire family will be appearing in this special show. Also, although it’s not confirmed, I want to sing BIGBANG’s songs. And it’d be great if other artists sang 2NE1’s songs!
Dara: I think the best thing about the family concerts is collaborations with other artists. I’m currently looking forward to seeing who gets to sing what kind of songs.
Minzy: Each artists of YG Family has their own strong personalities so I’m looking forward to see how we become as one. All of the family will be on the same stage and we’ll be able to show many kinds of performances so I’m very excited now. I want to “play” together with everyone!

Source: HMV Japan

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