Your newest single, “I Love You,” contains a trot melody and style, which was sure to be a new challenge for you. Being a new style, it must surely have been fun while working at it.
CL: It was already a challenge when we positioned to record it. Singing trot is not something we are familiar with. While doing the recording of the song, there were parts that were difficult, and I had to stay behind, while the other three members already finished.
Minzy: I joke that I have a trot side to me. However, the feel of 2NE1′s new song was totally different.
CL: There were a lot of changes during the recording. Compared to the original demo, only a few parts of it made the final cut, and we even modified some parts when we did the first recording, compared to the final.
When we heard the song, we became more and more curious about the performance and looked forward to the broadcast. 2NE1 will have a sexy image, with the choreography and costumes.
CL: Aside from that, the entire stage production has become feminine and sexy. It wasn’t awkward though, the unnies showed off an interesting side.
Would we see you in more broadcasts?
CL: Ever since our debut, we only went out on 3-4 broadcasts in a week’s time amd never more. It’s always been.. (Sandara Park whispers out something).. Huh?
Sandara: We never went to more than one or two shows (Everybody laughs).
CL: Ha ha, so I’ll fix what I said, we didn’t go to a lot. But it is because we want to show everyone a perfect stage, rather than many appearances.
You just made a comeback in July and will go straight to the world tour. There doesn’t seem to be much time to have activities in the local scene.
CL: When we were told that we won’t be having many stages for our comeback song, it was regretful, but since the first concert leg would be in Seoul, we felt a bit better. The preparations for the concert were held at the same time as practicing for our single, everything was just so busy. But we’re more happy working busily than resting.
Is this for real? The other members also feel the same thing?
CL: We don’t know how to rest well. We’ve practiced a busy lifestyle for so long, ever since we were trainees, to when we debuted, we spent more years practicing and performing on stage, compared to lounging around and resting. I think we’ve forgotten how.
Recently, the group has become hot topics for attending the Cannes International Advertising Festival, as speakers for K-pop during the seminar. You also had the photoshoot for W magazine in the same place, how do you find the atmosphere here?
CL: We didn’t spend that much time. We had to go straight to Italy because we had another schedule. We actually saw more of Cannes and had a chance to sightsee the area because of the photoshoot. It would have been nice to eat in different restaurants and walk along the pretty streets.
How did you feel when you experienced standing on stage as speakers?
CL: Although we’re used to standing on big stages, it was the first time that we were invited as speakers. We were very nervous and worried about it for a long time. We requested the organizers to change the format to an interview type, instead of giving speeches. We were able to speak more comfortably then.
Going back on stage for the first time for your comeback against speaking in for an international advertisement seminar, which one was more difficult?
Sandara: Of course, it was more difficult to be speaking.
CL: We get to change into someone completely different during performances. But speaking in a place like this where we had to show ourselves, it was more nerve-wracking.
Your presentation topic was about “Hallyu wave through digital marketing.” It sounds like a big topic.
CL: We prepared the content for marketing and relevant professional information (to be presented together) along with Cheil Communications. Our role was to help make people understand and empathize. We didn’t know much about marketing. We just spoke about our personal experiences and how we use that.
Your popularity is skyrocketing outside of Korea, and it is proven by this invitation. How are Korean fans and international fans different?
CL: We actually don’t have experience in performing on stage in the States or Europe, except for when we performed in MTV Iggy. That performance though was amazine and a lot of people seemed to know us.. (laughs). And even in Japan, we’ve only got one year of experience there as well. They like cosplay and show their support in special ways too.
CL: I don’t know if it’s a bad thing, but we weren’t called Kpop stars there, I don’t know if we were packaged as such from the start. In spite of the Hallyu wave being strong there, we were presented as an international group. Until now, I think that 2NE1 being formally introduced to the market there is just a step. From now on, we want to start full-fledged activities.
What do you say is the biggest challenge in your activities in Japan?
Bom: It has to be the language barrier. It’s better now, and we understand it, but we can’t speak the language fluently yet. I die from anxiety everytime.
You’ve been working with Will.I.Am from Black Eyed Peas. When can we see the results of your work?
CL: Our work with Will.I.Am was momentarily suspended to get ready for our preparations for our activities in Korea. I can’t say that the world tour is the start of our overseas activity. In fact, I’d say that it is not the start yet. The staff and management is putting much thought into it so it’ll turn out well. Maybe the next tour would be the start of our activities.
Seeing that you are close with him and have worked with him personally, how is Will.I.Am in person?
Sandara: He is really very cute. I was a bit nervous at first, but it all went away when I heard him complimenting my shoes.
Minzy: For a world-reknown artist, he’s really very kind and friendly. When we went out to eat chicken, we started becoming close (laughs).
Park Bom: He’s a very bad prankster.. When I was recording, he secretly edited the sounds so that it sounded very strange. I was really surprised.
What impressed you about him as a musician?
CL: He speaks with actions, and not just with words. We recorded with him at his home in the United States, and we learned a lot from Will.I.Am, we were inspired a lot by his lifestyle. When you go home, doesn’t it seem like you just drop everything and just rest? But this person always has music with him. He doesn’t stop, he hums melodies all the time. He’s really one of a kind in this world.
Source: W Korea
Translated by: BlackjackBelle@OhDara/ SlaveTranslator@WeLoveDara