2 ((G)I-dle album)

Last updated

2
(G)I-dle - 2.png
Digital cover
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 29, 2024 (2024-01-29)
Length20:57
Language
  • Korean
  • English
Label
Producer Soyeon
(G)I-dle chronology
Heat
(2023)
2
(2024)
I Sway
(2024)
Singles from 2
  1. "Wife"
    Released: January 22, 2024
  2. "Super Lady"
    Released: January 29, 2024

2 is the second studio album by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. It was released by Cube Entertainment on January 29, 2024, and contains eight tracks, including the pre-release single "Wife", and the lead single "Super Lady". The album was later supported by B-side songs such as "Fate" and "Revenge," which were successful on South Korean streaming platforms. [1] The album aims to showcase the group's extensive involvement in writing and producing songs centered around themes of female empowerment, trusting one's instincts, destiny, and love. [2]

Contents

Background and release

On January 8, 2024, Cube Entertainment announced (G)I-dle would be releasing their second studio album titled 2 on January 29. [3] Four days later, a comeback trailer was released. [4] On January 13, the promotional schedule was released. [5] Five days later, the track listing was released with "Super Lady" announced as the lead single. [6] On January 19, the audio snippet teaser was released. [7] On January 21, the music video teaser for "Wife" was released. [8] A day later, "Wife" was released alongside its music video. [9] On January 24, a story film for "Super Lady" was released, [10] followed by the music video teasers on January 25 and 26. [11] [12] The music video was released on January 29. A music video for the b-side track "Revenge" was released on February 16. [13]

Conception and recording

"I didn't want to be stuck in a rut, so I named the album '2'—a special number with significance for us [(G)I-dle]. When flipped, it becomes 5, representing our five members, and coincidentally, it mirrors our debut date on May 2nd. Additionally, I wanted to create a regular album because of the abundance of songs we had. It wasn't a difficult decision, as regular albums tend to showcase a more diverse side of our music."

—Soyeon explained the name and concept of the album during an interview with "Noon Hope Song," via Sports Chosun. [14]

In an interview with Billboard, the group discussed their creative process. Minnie shared, "I started working on our songs when we were heading towards the end of our world tour (I Am Free-ty World Tour). Although I did not have enough time, I worked on the songs non-stop and was able to make 'Vision' and '7Days' within 10 days." Shuhua added, "Whenever we had a free moment, we practiced and recorded our songs." [2] As noted by Billboard, "all members took active roles in shaping the album's direction," with Soyeon emphasized the collaborative effort, saying, "We all were involved together. We communicated with the choreographer to revise the details while learning the choreography for our title track single 'Super Lady' because I wanted to do something that wasn't so obvious." Yuqi added, "Most of the choreography and concept were centered around Soyeon, as she is the producer of the group, but all of our members gathered together to share our opinions." [2]

Composition

2 contains eight tracks. The third track "Doll" was described as a song with "dark atmosphere" with lyrics "providing a fresh shock [in contrast] to the title reminiscent of a cute doll". [15] In her review, Gladys Yeo of NME observed that "Doll" carries the essence of a sequel to 2022's "Sculpture," from their EP I LOVE (2022), portraying a shift into a villainous arc where the characters are no longer willing to contort themselves to gain love's validation. [16] The fourth track "Vision" is a alluring jersey club song, [16] with "dreamy chords." [15] The fifth track "7 Days" contains "emotional guitar riff". The sixth track "Fate" was described as a song with "colorful band rhythm and melody". The seventh track "Rollie" was described as a hip-hop song with "dynamic and vintage" rhythm. [15] The last track "Wife" was described as bubblegum bass-based pop song with "bold" lyrics that "attracts attention with metaphorical but explicit". [17]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [16]
IZM Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [18]

Gladys Yeo of NME emphasized the versatility displayed in 2, noting a spectrum of tracks from energetic anthems to introspective love songs. She commended the album for its diversity and the group's evolving dynamics. However, Yeo criticized certain tracks for their lack of innovation. Overall, she highlighted how the album stands as a testament to (G)I-DLE's individuality both as performers and producers. [16] IZM 's Jang Jun-hwan reflects on (G)I-DLE's album I Never Die , which revitalizes the group's image as resilient and unyielding. He discusses the strategic approach of the pre-release single 'Wife', praising its boldness in breaking taboos within the K-pop scene. However, Jun-hwan criticizes the track 'Super lady' for losing its purpose and succumbing to overproduction. He evaluates other tracks like 'Revenge' and 'Doll', noting their thematic consistency but lack of individual power compared to previous b-side songs. Jun-hwan highlights 'Fate' as a standout track for its lyricism and atmospheric qualities. Ultimately, he questions the album's coherence and differentiation from the group's previous work, leaving lingering uncertainties about its intent and direction. [18]

Commercial performance

2 has surpassed the previous record set by I Feel ; selling over 1,163,395 copies. Remarkably, the album achieved million-seller status within two days of its release, a notable feat given the recent downward trend in K-pop idol group sales. Positioning (G)I-DLE as the 5th highest-ranking K-pop girl group for all-time initial release sales, trailing behind Aespa, New Jeans, Ive, and Blackpink. [19]

Track listing

Track listing for 2
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Super Lady" Soyeon
  • Soyeon
  • Pop Time
  • Daily
  • Likey
  • Soyeon
  • Pop Time
  • Daily
  • Likey
2:32
2."Revenge"Soyeon
  • Soyeon
  • Pop Time
  • Kako
  • Soyeon
  • Pop Time
  • Kako
2:24
3."Doll"
  • Yuqi
  • Boytoy
  • Jayins
  • Mojo
  • Yuqi
  • Boytoy
  • Mojo
  • Jayins
  • Lee Seung-hoon (Plz)
Lee Seung-hoon (Plz)2:34
4."Vision"
  • Minnie
  • BreadBeat
  • Shin Kung
  • BreadBeat
  • Shin Kung
2:41
5."7Days"
  • Minnie
  • Tim Tan
  • Minnie
  • BreadBeat
BreadBeat3:19
6."Fate" (나는 아픈 건 딱 질색이니까)Soyeon
  • Soyeon
  • Pop Time
  • Daily
  • Likey
  • Soyeon
  • Pop Time
  • Daily
  • Likey
2:42
7."Rollie"
  • Yuqi
  • Boytoy
  • Melli (Plz)
  • 213 (Plz)
  • Mojo
  • Yuqi
  • Boytoy
  • Melli (Plz)
  • 213 (Plz)
  • Mojo
  • Milli Oshyun
  • 213 (Plz)
  • Mojo
  • Milli Oshyun
  • Boytoy
2:44
8."Wife"Soyeon
  • Soyeon
  • Daily
  • Likey
  • Pop Time
  • Soyeon
  • Daily
  • Likey
  • Pop Time
2:01
Total length:20:57

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for 2
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA) [41] Million1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for 2
RegionDateFormatLabel
VariousJanuary 29, 2024
South KoreaJanuary 30, 2024 CD

Related Research Articles

<i>I Burn</i> 2021 EP by (G)I-dle

I Burn is the fourth Korean extended play by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. It was released on January 11, 2021, by Cube Entertainment and Republic Records. The EP consists of three physical versions: Winter, Flower and Fire, and contains six tracks, including the lead single "Hwaa". The album contains various emotions felt in the process of regaining happiness after separation. I Burn is the fourth of the 'I' series, which started from the debut album, I Am (2018). Commercially, the EP surpassed 200,000 copies, making it the group's first project to do so. I Burn is the group's final release as a sextet, before Soojin's hiatus and subsequent departure from the group in August 2021.

Cube Entertainment Inc. is a South Korean entertainment company currently manages several artists, namely Jo Kwon, Pentagon, Yoo Seon-ho, (G)I-dle, and Lightsum. It also manages several entertainers, including Lee Hwi-jae and Heo Kyung-hwan. It was formerly home to K-pop artists such as 4Minute, Beast, G.NA, Roh Ji-hoon, A Train To Autumn, Lai Kuan-lin, Jang Hyun-seung, CLC, and BtoB.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(G)I-dle</span> South Korean girl group

(G)I-dle is a South Korean girl group formed by Cube Entertainment in 2018. The group consists of five members: Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi, and Shuhua. The group was originally a sextet, until Soojin left the group on August 14, 2021. They are praised for their musicality, versatility, and for breaking stereotypes as a "self-producing" idol group, known for writing and producing much of their material. Since their debut, they have been acknowledged as one of the most successful South Korean girl groups outside of the "big four" record labels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miyeon</span> South Korean singer (born 1997)

Cho Mi-yeon, better known mononymously as Miyeon, is a South Korean singer and actress. She is the vocalist of the South Korean girl group (G)I-dle under Cube Entertainment, and voiced Ahri in the virtual K-pop girl group K/DA.

<i>I Made</i> 2019 EP by (G)I-dle

I Made is the second extended play by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. The album was released digitally and physically on February 26, 2019. The album contains five tracks including the lead single, "Senorita", which was composed by member Soyeon and producer Big Sancho.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnie (singer)</span> Thai singer and actress (born 1997)

Nicha Yontararak, known professionally as Minnie, is a Thai singer, composer and actress based in South Korea. She is a member of South Korean girl group (G)I-dle, which debuted on May 2, 2018 under Cube Entertainment.

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<i>Dumdi Dumdi</i> 2020 single album by (G)I-dle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hwaa</span> 2021 single by (G)I-dle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">(G)I-dle videography</span> South Korean videography

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<i>I Never Die</i> 2022 studio album by (G)I-dle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomboy ((G)I-dle song)</span> 2022 single by (G)I-dle

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"My Bag" is a song by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle for their first studio album, I Never Die released on March 14, 2022, as the eight-track on the album. Written by Soyeon and co-produced by Nathan, the song's musical style focuses on the rap by all members of (G)I-dle as Soyeon commented the song "[is] something that only (G)I-dle can do". A part of the song interpolates elements from their previous singles "Latata," "Hann," "Senorita," "Dumdi Dumdi," and "Hwaa".

<i>I Love</i> (EP) 2022 EP by (G)I-dle

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<i>I Feel</i> 2023 EP by (G)I-dle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wife (song)</span> 2024 single by (G)I-dle

"Wife" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle for their second studio album 2. It was released as the album's pre-released single by Cube Entertainment on January 22, 2024. Written by Soyeon, Pop Time, Daily and Likey, a bubblegum and pop track serves as a double entendre manifesto, playfully mocking societal norms surrounding traditional wife roles while intertwining sexually suggestive lyrics.

"Super Lady" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle for their second studio album 2. It was released as the album's lead single by Cube Entertainment on January 29, 2024, in conjuction with the album. An electro house and G-House track driven by military drums, chants and "a strong bass", the song was written and produced by group member Soyeon with additional writing credits from Pop Time, Daily and Likey. Its lyrics discuss themes of female empowerment, confidence and strength.

"Fate", in South Korea sometimes referred to as "Ah.Ttak.Jil" (Korean: 아.딱.질), is a song by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle for their second studio album, 2, released simultaneously with the album on January 29, 2024, as the sixth track, written and produced by Soyeon, with additional composition and arrangement credits from Pop Time, Dailly, and Likey.

<i>I Sway</i> 2024 EP by (G)I-dle

I Sway is the seventh Korean extended play and tenth overall by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. It was released by Cube Entertainment on July 8, 2024, and contains four tracks, including the lead single "Klaxon".

"Klaxon" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle for their seventh Korean extended play I Sway. It was released as the EP's lead single by Cube Entertainment on July 8, 2024.

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