Feature

2NE1: A Career In Song Ratings

Posted on by 15 Comments

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

I Am The Best, I Love You

Lowest Rated Songs

Be Mine

Imperial Phases

Fire -> Scream (2009-2012)
I Love You -> Goodbye (2012-2017)

Slump Phases

None

Rating Average: 8.80

Overall Trendline:

15 thoughts on “2NE1: A Career In Song Ratings”

  1. 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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    • actually both are correct! the hangul 투애니원 can pretty much be interpreted as either, blackjack being the fandom name references the 21 pronunciation but also they use the “to anyone” pronunciation in fire and crush, probably some other songs as well

      come back home is so good, definitely in my top 5 titles!

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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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        • well, i thought it’s OT3 because park bom has issues with her health. i saw some of her recent performances (like the coachella one in 2022) and while she did good, she was clearly struggling a bit

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  3. YAYY another one of my ults, they are such an important group and they had their formula down to a science! i am the best, can’t nobody, crush, come back home, hate you, ugly, scream, falling in love, do you love me, missing you, and i don’t care are my favorite titles. for bsides i love good to you, baby i miss you, pretty boy, in the club, i’m busy, and don’t stop the music

    i just revisited their discography the other day and i was having the time of my life, miss them so much!

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  5. I Love You deserved the spot! I like it so much but I just can’t explain why. This is just a good pleasant song for my ear and every time I listen to it I feel calm. It just feel heavenly to me.

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  6. If this, f(x) & Gfriend didn’t reach the highest tier “legend” on your ultimate artist ranking, I wonder would there be any any girl group that could be standing on that zone. Is there any strong contender left, chat?

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