Girl group 2NE1 has returned. Always becoming a hot issue with their unconventional music, style, and performances, the public had high expectations this time around as well and the ladies did not disappoint. With their new title song "I Love You", 2NE1 became the first girl group to sing a 'trot'-integrated electronic pop song, and member Sandara Park (Dara) even shaved half of her hair.

"We are always working to try new things," the girls said. "We feel that because trot is integrated into the song, it should be easy to sing along for fans of all ages."

There's some good news for eldest members Sandara Park and Park Bom (Bom) as well. YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun Suk has finally lifted their dating ban. "Park Bom and I are now free to date," Dara said. "However, we are refraining from dating in order to self-regulates ourselves. I don't know if guys will approach me, now that I've shaved my head."

The half-shaved hairstyle is a decision that probably did not come easy for her. It is a provocative and risky move for a girl group member, so much that she is concerned that it will impact her dating life. "It was CL's idea, and we shaved it at the office while rehearsing one day," Dara explained. "I experienced a buzzer for the first time, and I began to cry. I began to understand how guys must feel when they enter the military."

It makes one wonder why CL would suggest such a thing to Dara. "It was a style I wanted to try, but it was too much," CL explained with a laugh. "Styles like that need to be done by the prettiest member, if I had done it, it would have made me look too intimidating."

2NE1 continuously ran into some trouble with a particular broadcast company. They would perform once a week, and only at SBS 'Inkigayo'. Yang Hyun Suk explained that it was because much time is needed to prepare a show for his artists, however, it was a disappointment for the fans who wanted to see more of the members.

CL remarked, "To be honest, we work hard to prepare the highest quality stage with our choreography and ensemble, so we aren't able to perform 3-4 times a week. Because we want to thoroughly prepare ourselves for each stage, we ended up performing only once a week."

The girls who climbed the charts last year with songs such as "Lonely", "I Am The Best", and more are also receiving much support for their new song "I Love You" which has also swept the online music charts. Furthermore, the girls will be embarking on a 7-country, 10-city 'New Evolution' tour starting with a performance at the Seoul Olympic Park Gymnastic Stadium July 28th and 29th. Michael Jackson's choreographer Travis Payne and Beyonce's band leader Divinity Roxx will be accompanying the girls on this particular tour.

Like so, Bom, Minzy, Dara, and CL are currently receiving world-wide attention. When will the girls finally throw in the towel?

CL remarked, "We will probably flee the scene before 2NE1's style or music stops being fresh and people grow tired of it. If we are no longer challenging people, then I don't want to do music."

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Source & Image : SportsChosun via Nate