2NE1 shot to mega-superstardom from their thumping, debut single “Fire” and continued to release a rush of hit singles, collecting over half a billion views on their official YouTube channel, collaborating with superstars like will.i.am and Skrillex, and touring sold-out shows around the world.
Despite their success, the girls had only released one full-length album since their 2010 debut, “To Anyone.” That changed in February when the YG Entertainment group dropped second LP “Crush,” which immediately became the highest-charting K-pop album on the Billboard 200, landing at No. 61. Plus, the set was dubbed favorite girl group album in a Billboard.com readers poll, beating girl groups like Destiny’s Child and Spice Girls.
Nearing an impressive five years in the industry and a number of milestone achievements under their belt, the record-breaking group seems more eager and spirited: The girls just released a new music video for “Gotta Be You” (the third vid unleashed from “Crush”) and launched their highly anticipated tour, “AON: ALL OR NOTHING.” The tour that has already hit Korea, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Malaysia since its launch, bringing thousands to the their show.
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With lots to celebrate, 2NE1 — aka CL, Bom, Minzy and Dara — invited Billboard exclusively to the studio where they were shooting for their upcoming Japanese album cover to talk what it means to break records, the most memorable moments during their five-year career and their plans for the rest of 2014.