Advertisement

2NE1′s Park Bom releases solo single

2NE1's Park Bom is the first of the four ladies of the superstar hallyu girl group to release a solo digital single. Entitled "Don't Cry," Park Bom's debut solo track was produced by hot Korean producer Teddy Park, who was responsible for 2NE1's previous hits "Lollipop," "Fire," "I Don't Care," "Can't Nobody," and "Go Away," aside from other Korean artists' hits including Taeyang's "Wedding Dress" and Se7en's "Better Together."

After 2NE1's plans to debut in Japan last April were postponed due to the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami, YG Entertainment, home to 2NE1, sped up promotional plans for the ladies in their native Korea. The first to launch was Park Bom, and, from the looks of it, "Don't Cry" will be as massive a hit as any of the singles released by the girl group to which she belongs.

The "Don't Cry" music video released on April 21, the same day the digital single was released on online music sites throughout Korea, generated more than 1,800,000 views within a week. The cool music video features rookie actor Kim Young Kwang as Park Bom's love interest. The "Don't Cry" video inspired much interest among fans due to Park Bom's fashion. She wore a dress designed by the late revered British fashion designer Alexander McQueen. The dress, which was said to be among the last designed by the iconic McQueen, reportedly costs almost US$20,000.

All the promotional work and buzz has paid off. Within 24 hours of release, "Don't Cry" topped all real-time Korean music charts, including Dosirak, Soribada, Melon, Bugs, and Monkey3, toppling Big Bang's "Love Song" as well as f(x)'s "Danger".

2NE1 is scheduled to visit the Philippines for a concert in June. Do you think Park Bom will perform this track? Given that it is her first successful solo release, she should.