There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” features, I can average their ratings into one mega-score and place them in a pantheon alongside other acts.
As always, this feature has some rules of its own. I’m including any “Song Review” ratings as part of this graph, including Japanese releases and collaborations with one other artist. I’m not including Buried Treasures or solo/sub-unit releases. For the ratings themselves, I’m using the most current number on this blog, so if a song was part of a “Risers and Fallers” or “Legendary Songs Inauguration” post, that’s the rating you’ll see displayed here. That means there will still be a few ratings here and there I find slightly inaccurate, but it’ll mostly reflect my up-to-date feelings.
Finally, these scores are completely subjective. Feel free to agree, disagree and argue (that’s part of the fun!), but know that this chart reflects the opinion of only one person (me).
Check out 2NE1’s placement on the ULTIMATE ARTIST RANKING page!
2NE1: A Career In Song Ratings
The Breakdown
Highest Rated Songs
Lowest Rated Songs
Imperial Phases
Fire -> Scream (2009-2012)
I Love You -> Goodbye (2012-2017)
Slump Phases
None
Rating Average: 8.80
Overall Trendline:
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
To start with a side note: for those newer to kpop, is it pronounced “twenny-one”. Although “To Any One” “Two Enn Eee One” looks equally valid, it is not.
“I am the Best” is the best I am the best-style song in all of kpop. Actual swagger happening.
My 2nd favorite is “Come Back Home” which has one of the most surprising and awesome transitions. It is sonically interesting and weird and works so well. Back in the day when everyone dropped reggae beats into every song (usually for the 2nd verse obligatory rap), this song did it the best.
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even though it is pronounced as “twenty-one” I still like to say “to any one” bc of the way they pronounce it in fire…lol
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this group had so much potential! Such a shame they ended up disbanding again because of the accusations made by Park Bom 😶
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wait, disband AGAIN? I’m sorry can u fill me in on the new info
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It’s difficult and lengthy to explain, but in short:
Park Bom published a letter on social media in March 2026 saying that Sandara Park had been involved in a drug case and that she herself had become a scapegoat to cover it up… In 2010, Park Bom received an ADHD medication called Adderall from the US, which is permitted there but considered a controlled substance in South Korea. The prosecution investigated the case but decided not to prosecute her because there was a medical prescription. However, in 2014, the Korean press revived the case, raising suspicions of favoritism due to her fame. The repercussion was enormous, affecting 2NE1’s image and practically halting the group’s activities for a period.
Finally, if I’m not mistaken, the group reunited the other day as OT3, without Bom 🤔. So technically the group disbanded for the second time, or… there was a restructuring of the members
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And if I’m not mistaken, Bom even backtracked and apologized for that 😅 But the members stopped following each other… It’s complicated
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