biography

2NE1 (Korean: 투 에니원; pronounced “to anyone” or “twenty-one”), formerly known as 21, is a South Korean group under YG Entertainment in 2009. Previously promoted as “female BIG BANG” and 21, YG officially stopped using the name 21 because another Korean musical group was using the same name. 2NE1 is supposed to stand for “New Evolution of the 21st Century”: “NE” meaning “New Evolution” and “21” standing for the “21st Century.”

2NE1 is made up of 4 members. All 4 girls have been YG Trainees and have been preparing for their debut for 4 years.

• CL (Leader, Rapper, Vocalist)
Real Name: Lee Chae Rin (이채린)
Date of Birth: February 26, 1991 (1991-02-26) (age 19)
•CL’s name is not only the initials of her first name and last name but also a nickname thought up by both Tae Yang of BIG BANG and CL. Since when you pronounce CL’s name it means “sky” in french.

• 박봄 (BOM / Park Bom) (Lead Vocalist)
Real Name: Park Bom (박봄)
Birth date: March 24, 1984 (1984-03-24) (age 26)

• 공민지 (MINZY / Gong Min Ji) (Rapper, Vocalist, Maknae)
Real Name: Gong Minji (공민지)
Date of Birth: January 18, 1994 (1994-01-18) (age 16)

• 산다라 (DARA / Sandara Park) (Vocalist)
Real Name: Sandara Park (박산다라)
Date of Birth: November 12, 1984 (1984-11-12) (age 25)

2NE1 has released a promotional song featuring the group BIG BANG called Lollipop. The song was released as a promotional song for the CYON cellular phone Lollipop. Although it was not a promoted single (as it was an advertisement song, there were problems with network chart eligibility), “Lollipop” proved to be a strong chart hit, going to #1 on various online charts and topping music television network M.Net’s online chart for four weeks in a row. However, despite this, the group did not officially debut until May. On May 6th, they released their debut digital single, Fire . The group released 2 music videos for the single, one known as the “space version” and the other known as the “street version. They then released a self-titled mini-album and promoted their hit “I Don’t Care” followed by “Pretty Boy.” Both songs received much success.