Fire (2NE1 song)

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"Fire"
2ne1-FireSingle.jpg
Single by 2NE1
from the album 2NE1
ReleasedMay 6, 2009 (2009-05-06)
Recorded2009
Genre
Length3:43
LabelYG Entertainment
Songwriter(s)Teddy Park
Producer(s)Teddy Park
2NE1 singles chronology
"Lollipop"
(2009) 		"Fire"
(2009) 		"I Don't Care"
(2009)
Music video
"Fire (Street Ver.)" on YouTube
"Fire (Space Ver.)" on YouTube

"Fire" is the debut single by South Korean girl group 2NE1. The song was released to digital outlets on May 6, 2009 by YG Entertainment, as the lead single for the group's self-titled debut extended play. Despite the group having appeared alongside labelmate Big Bang for the promotional single "Lollipop" in March 2009, "Fire" served as 2NE1's official debut. The song nevertheless became a hit in all Korean charts following its release and instantly gained success in South Korea, propelling the group to immediate fame.

"Fire" was met with positive reception from music critics, who not only complemented its musical styles and 2NE1's charisma, but also credited the song as one of the catalysts for the rapid expansion of the "fierce" and "independent" image in the industry's girl group scene.

Background and release[]

2NE1 was first unveiled to the public on March 27, 2009 after appearing alongside labelmate Big Bang for the LG Cyon promotional track "Lollipop". Despite the track not having any formal promotions on music shows, the song became a hit on all offline and online charts in South Korea.[1] On April 30, 2009, CEO of YG Entertainment Yang Hyun-suk revealed that 2NE1's debut song would consist of a hip-hop and reggae concept, to be released via digital download and streaming on May 6, 2009.[2] The song, titled "Fire", was written and produced by 1TYM's Teddy Park, and gives a "strong and sophisticated feeling".[3] Short clips of the song were teased on the group's official website at the beginning of May.[4]

"Fire" was released as planned on May 6, with two versions of the music video released the same day — a "space" version and a "street" version.[5] Both of the music videos received over one million views in a day;[6] the viewcount then quickly increased to two million.[7] The videos were profiled on Perez Hilton's blog.[8]

Reception[]

Critical reception and impact[]

"Fire" received positive reception from music critics. Jeff Benjamin of Billboard complemented the group's charisma in addition to the song's musical production, noting the track's "exciting" and "twinkling synthesizers". He further commented that the song "set the groundwork for much of the act's future singles -- catchy electro-pop bangers with loads of attitude."[9] Globe Telecom stated that the "bold video style coupled with the pulsing synths make a refreshing addition to the existing lineup of bubblegum pop female acts."[10] The South China Morning Post referred to "Fire" as the foundation for the industry's "strong" and independent image, breaking "the cutesy clean-cut look typical of girl groups". The publication also added that "their debut song Fire was an instant hit, solidifying their status as a super rookie group", and "over time, 2NE1 proved their artistry through their edgy visuals, out-of-the-box concepts, and their versatile sound, and have become one of the most influential powerhouses of K-pop."[11]

2NE1 performing the song at 34th & 35th Cyworld Digital Music Awards

Public reception[]

Both the song and the group have been very popular online, with the song topping Mnet's online chart and the group's name becoming a top search term.[12] The group was also rewarded with three Cyworld Digital Music Awards, with both "Lollipop" and "Fire" winning "Song of the Month" awards and the group winning "Rookie of the Month" for May 2009.[13]

Music video and promotion[]

The "Space" version of the music video showcases 2NE1 performing the song in Space. During the intro, CL is also seen wearing Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. The "Street" version of the music video features 2NE1 performing "Fire" on an abandoned street at night. The video also features a cameo appearance by G-Dragon of Big Bang. Both versions of the music video were filmed in secret during April 2009. The music videos were released May 6, 2009, both being directed by Seo Hyun-seung. Both versions were uploaded on YG's official YouTube account on August 17, 2009. The space version has since accumulated over 52 million views on the platform. A behind the scenes video was released May 10, 2009.

The group's first performance of the song was on May 17, 2009, on SBS's Inkigayo, beginning the group's activities.[7] The performance was featured on Perez Hilton's blog, once again showing his interest towards the group.[14] 2NE1 went on to win two "Mutizen" awards from the music program; their first win on June 14 set a record at the time for the fastest group to receive a music show win—just 39 days after their debut.

Track listing[]

Digital download / streaming
  1. "Fire" – 3:43
  2. "Fire" (Instrumental) – 3:41

Accolades[]

Awards and nominations
Year Organization Award Result
2009 Cyworld Digital Music Awards Song of the Month (May) Won
Rookie of the Month (May) Won
Golden Disk Awards Digital Bonsang Nominated
Mnet 20's Choice Awards Hot Online Song Won
Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Music Video Won
2010 Myx Music Awards Favorite International Video Award Nominated
Music program awards
Program Date
SBS's Inkigayo June 14, 2009
June 21, 2009

References[]

  1. ^ "불법 음악파일 유포 순위 '2NE1' 1위 (Illegal music downloads help 2NE1 reach #1)". Boan News. July 11, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  2. ^ (in Korean) 양현석 "2NE1 데뷔곡은 레게풍 힙합곡" (Yang Hyeon-seok "2NE1's Debut Song is Reggae/Hip-Hop Song"). SBS News. April 30, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
  3. ^ (in Korean) 신예 여성그룹 2NE1, 첫 타이틀곡 `파이어` 발표 (New Female Group 2NE1, First Single "Fire" Released). Korea Economic Daily. May 7, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
  4. ^ (in Korean) Yoon, Hyeon-jin. 2NE1, 음원공개 하루만에 20만접속 ‘폭주’ (2NE1, 200,000 Viewer "Explosion" Day After Teaser Release)[permanent dead link]. Joins.com. May 2, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
  5. ^ (in Korean) 2NE1, 두 가지 버전의 `파이어` 뮤비 공개 (2NE1, 2 Version of "Fire" Video Released). Hankyung. May 7, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
  6. ^ (in Korean) Park, Sae-yeon. 2NE1, 2009 최고신인 되나? ‘파이어’ M/V 1백만 클릭 ‘대박’ (2NE1, 2009 Best New Group? "Fire" Music Video Receives 1 Million Clicks, "Huge Success"). JoongAng Ilbo/Newsen. May 7, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b (in Korean) Park, Yeong-woong. 2NE1, 뮤비 공개 하루만에 2백만 조회…17일 첫 무대 (2NE1, Music Video Debut Has 2 Million Views...17th is First Performance). MyDaily. May 7, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
  8. ^ (in Korean) 2NE1 뮤비 미국 인기 연예블로그에 소개 (2NE1 Music Video Profiled on Popular American Blog). SBS News. May 7, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
  9. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (March 24, 2017). "Every 2NE1 Single Ranked From Worst to Best: Critic's Take". Billboard.
  10. ^ "Iconic K-Pop Music Videos That Will Never Get Old - go!". Globe Telecom. August 19, 2020.
  11. ^ Sunio, Patti (July 27, 2020). "Before Blackpink – 7 second-gen K-pop girl groups you need to know". South China Morning Post.
  12. ^ (in Korean) Kim, Hui-jeong. 2NE1, 가요계에 돌풍 일으키나? (2NE1, a K-Pop Blast?). Korea Economic Daily. June 1, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2009.
  13. ^ (in Korean) Lee, Hyae-rin. 2NE1, 디지털 뮤직어워드 3관왕 기염① (2NE1, 3-Time Digital Music Award Winners). Asia Economy. June 10, 2009. Retrieved June 10, 2009.
  14. ^ 2NE1 - Fire (Live!) - PerezTV Archived February 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Perez Hilton: 2NE1 - Fire (Live!)

External links[]

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