Revamp your playlist with K-pop powerhouse 2NE1’s most-streamed Spotify songs

If you think you’ve heard the best K-pop offerings by raving over BTS, BLACKPINK, SEVENTEEN and other mainstream artists, let’s introduce you to 2NE1. The second-generation girl group which ruled the music scene in the last decade, 2NE1 has finally reunited after disbanding for 8 years. With discography characterised by edgy and pulsating bangers that break all K-pop stereotypes, the band truly redefined the genre. So, if you haven’t familiarised yourself with these Hallyu prodigies, now is a good time. Let’s take you through most-streamed songs of 2NE1 on Spotify that’ll fire up your playlist.

The four-member group comprising CL, Dara, Bom, and Minzy was formed by YG Entertainment in 2009. The girls had a blast rollicking in the success they enjoyed for years before parting ways in 2016. If you’ve followed K-pop for a while, you would’ve probably grooved to 2NE1 hits like I Am the Best, Fire, Lonely and I Don’t Care at some point.

In 2022, the girls returned for a surprise performance at Coachella and reminded the world of their unparalleled stage presence. The recent announcement of their reunion and comeback will definitely lure back all their fans and introduce their music to a new generation of listeners. The group is embarking on a world tour to mark their 15th anniversary, and Hong Kong is one of their pitstops. So, ahead of their much-awaited concerts and comeback, it’s time to go down memory lane and revisit their most popular tracks on Spotify.

Most-streamed Spotify songs of 2NE1: Pep up your playlist

1. I Am the Best (159 million streams)

I Am the Best is a quintessential K-pop song, that hooked people who didn’t even know or care about the genre back in the day. The 2011 release clearly has a show-stopping energy, showcasing 2NE1’s manic charisma. Thanks to this song, the band started getting attention as K-pop’s ‘girl crush’ for their ferocious and empowering lyrics. Not only did it peak at number one on the Billboard US World Digital Songs chart, but also collected multiple awards including the Korean Music Awards.

2. COME BACK HOME (49 million streams)

Released as a part of their second studio album Crush in 2014, COME BACK HOME is an earworm you’ll be listening to on loop. Fusing electronic and rock elements, the genre-bending song retains the group’s fierceness despite the relative calm. Even its music video is nothing short of a visual paradise and will remind you of The Matrix-like dystopian elements. Add this to your playlist for a refreshing car jam.

3. LONELY (38 million streams)

A clear commercial hit, LONELY was the band’s first song to top all South Korean real-time digital charts and achieve a perfect all-kill. Contrary to 2NE1’s good-girl-gone-bad image, this track exposes a more vulnerable side of the girls. LONELY is powerful, poignant and stripped bare rather than bombarded with autotune, showcasing the band’s vocal prowess.

4. FIRE (31 million streams)

FIRE is a very special song in 2NE1’s catalogue as it marked their debut in 2009.  It’s one of the songs which helped cement their unique style, generating power with its hip-hop as well as electronic elements. The song also dominated the club scene music, thanks to its catchy electro-pop bangers that scream attitude and grace. It won multiple accolades including the MAMA Award, Cyworld Digital Music Award as well as Mnet 20’s Choice Awards.

5. MTBD CL solo (29 million streams)

MTBD (derived from the phrase mental breakdown) is a song by the group’s rapper and singer CL. Released in 2014, the song was a part of 2NE1’s studio album Crush. Showcasing CL’s inimitable style, the song is an amalgamation of EDM, hip-hop as well as a bubblegum trap with the bass going boom boom boom. The artist’s ferocious flow was like a breath of fresh air in 2NE1’s catalogue.

6. Goodbye (24 million streams)

2NE1 bid adieu to fans in 2017 with Goodbye. The song was recorded by the three remaining members following Minzy’s departure in 2016. Interestingly, Goodbye was inspired by a letter CL wrote to Minzy following her disbandment from the group. As the name suggests, it’s a heartfelt ballad wherein the artists lay bare their emotional side as well as express gratitude to fans.

7. You and I (Park Bom) (22 million streams)

You and I is the debut solo single of 2NE1’s Bom. A massive commercial success, the song stayed at the number-one spot on the Gaon Chart for about a month. It also went on to win in the Best Digital Single category at the 2010 MNET Asian Music Awards.

8. GOTTA BE YOU (21 million streams)

Another single from the Crush album, GOTTA BE YOU was the last single that 2NE1 released as a quartet, before Minzy’s departure. It’s a fun dance-pop song combining EDM and hip-hop elements, while the ‘pop art inspired’ video was shot in collaboration with designer Jeremy Scott. The song also marked the group’s fifth anniversary celebrations.

9. Ugly (17 million streams)

Relatable, meaningful and heartbreaking at the same time, Ugly is one of our favourites from the list. The song stands so relatable in today’s day and age, and the lyrics will surely leave a huge impression on you. No doubt it was the band’s number-one hit a decade ago. It’ll lift your spirits and inspire you on gloomy days.

10. Go Away (16 million streams)

Rounding up the list of 2NE1’s most-streamed songs on Spotify is Go Away. It came as the lead single from the band’s first studio album, To Anyone, as the band continued popularising its electropop as well as dance styles. It became one of the best-performing singles of 2010 in South Korea, leading to a steady rise in their fandom.

So, that’s all for the most-streamed songs of 2NE1 on Spotify. 

(Hero and feature image credit: chaelincl/ Instagram)