2NE1

2NE1 (투애니원, pronounced "to anyone" or "twenty-one") is a four-member South Korean girl group formed by YG Entertainment in 2009. Comprised of CL, Park Bom, Sandara Park, and Minzy, the group debuted on May 17, 2009 with the double single "Fire" / "I Don't Care," igniting a movement that would reshape modern K-pop. From the start, 2NE1 was positioned as a female counterpart to YG labelmates BIGBANG, but the group quickly carved out an identity all their own -- brash, experimental, and unapologetically bold. Their sound drew from hip-hop, R&B, electronic, and punk, while their visuals subverted the polished femininity expected of K-pop girl groups at the time. Songs like "I Am the Best" (2011) became anthems of self-assurance, charting across Asia and breaking into global consciousness. At their commercial peak, 2NE1 amassed nine number-one singles on the Gaon Digital Chart -- the most chart-toppers for any girl group in South Korean history at the time. Their albums "To Anyone" (2010) and "Crush" (2014) further cemented their status, while Japanese releases under YGEX introduced them to audiences across East Asia. In 2016, Minzy departed the group and YG Entertainment officially announced their disbandment on November 25. The announcement was accompanied by the release of "Goodbye," a tender farewell that moved millions of fans. Despite going their separate ways, the group reunited in 2024, re-signing with YG Entertainment as a full four-member act. 2NE1's legacy extends beyond their discography. They are widely credited with expanding the global appetite for K-pop before the Hallyu wave hit its international peak, and their influence is cited by a generation of artists who grew up watching them dominate stages from Seoul to global festivals.