Online Interview

BlackJacks were also given the opportunity to participate in an online interview with questions geared toward their experience as 2NE1 fans. Neogogo wrote about 2NE1 within the context of the K-pop music scene.

One of the most frequent criticisms of K-pop groups is that they are manufactured, fake and/or lack talent. What do you think about these kinds of criticisms in relation to 2NE1?

I do believe that my bias as well as the majority of idols (if not all) in K-pop are manufactured. By this, I mean brought together by a third party, styled and put through a training process with the objective of creating a successful entertainment entity. I also stress that I don't know why this has a negative connotation and I suspect this is a Western perspective. I think bringing the audience behind the curtain and letting them in on the mechanics of what goes into making their bias groups what they are is an ingenious sales/publicity module. It's a smart way to make fans feel closer to their idols because they see how their support is a part of the process. It's not a dirty secret. A lot of Western groups are also 'manufactured' but they like to keep that part of their story either hidden or as low emphasis as possible. I have come to believe that this is just wasted opportunity. K-pop fans have become very vocal and powerful very fast because of the empowerment being part of the 'manufacturing' process gives them and as they grow they take their idols with them.

The masculinity or femininity of a group is often the topic of conversation in relation to K-pop groups. Some think female groups are too sexy, too cute or too scary. Others think male groups are not manly enough. What do you think about the image of femininity 2NE1 reflects?

2NE1 was the first K-pop group I was able to appreciate without a drop of irony (this includes my male faves, Big Bang). Part of the reason was because of the way they presented themselves. I was fascinated by the uberfeminine stereotype of womanhood i discovered when I got into K-pop but I was never able to take it seriously. 2NE1 caught my interest though because they showed off female characteristics that were not as available in other female K-pop groups. They were beautiful but not in any typical way (some till today still maintain that they are unattractive because they don't fit usual standards of beauty). Rather than push their girliness, cuteness or sexiness, they pushed charisma, boldness, individuality, and a natural feeling of vitality and fun and they did it all with amazing style. Then, when you got to see them behind the scenes without all the lights and make up, they were just normal girls like all of us with big dreams and an incredible work ethic that was able to transform them for the stage. That's why when Blackjacks are asked why they like 2NE1, a common answer is "they are just different" or "they are unique". Now many groups are coming up that have some of those qualities, but they were the first and the best and they still do it the most naturally.

Some believe that K-pop groups borrow too much from other cultures (i.e. Native American, African American, etc.) without having respect for them, while others like the use of other cultures and genres (i.e. R&B, hip-hop) in K-pop. What do you think about 2NE1's use of multiple types of music and/or use of other cultures?

2NE1 definitely borrows from other genres and cultures. This is not a function of K-pop bout of Pop in general. All pure genres tend to end up on the fringe and Pop takes the most popular aspects of them and mixes it up to what we all know as the mainstream sounds of the moment. It may be true that some of those who make heavy use of other cultures or genres do not show enough respect for the source material. I never got that feeling off of 2NE1 though. They belong to a label that has always admired and embraced hip-hop and R&B and it's very much reflected in the music they make. All of them profess various hip-hop greats as inspirations and work very hard to live up to them. If there is any further way they ought to show respect for the cultures and genres that inspired them, I'm not sure what it is.

What makes 2NE1 different from other K-pop groups?

Their unbeleivable consistency since debut in turning out hits that age well and have great dance floor playability
Their one of a kind stage presence (Especially the group's leader CL)
Their ability to make any song completely theirs; you never get the feeling of watching a rehearsed group singing a song given to them
Their different standards of looks which break the mould of what is considered attractive within their genre
Their understanding and use of Fashion as part of their narrative
How they are bigger than "Concepts"
How they are so completely different from one another in looks, attitude, character and skill and yet fit together and get along so well
In my opinion their music and style has more global cross over appeal than most other groups
They are just cooler than everyone else! Lol!

What do you think about 2NE1’s reputation for being fierce?

It's true. For four tiny women ranging between age 19 to 29 (or 20 to 30 by Korean Calendar), they are incredibly fierce and they have the ability to blow fans away with their stage presence, style and performance. They have a very strong and bold stage presence and it gives you chills and as a fan it has a way of making you feel you too can be more self confident and use your passion to do your best because you've seen them do it. This is because we see them behind the scenes and know that the fierceness is only one aspect of who they are (Like Beyonce has Sasha Fierce).