Why I Prefer The OG 2NE1 Rather Than... Blackpink

It’s pretty clear that Blackpink was created as a follow-up to 2NE1—an attempt by YG Entertainment to remake their earlier success, but in a more polished and commercially safe package. A lot of Blackpink’s early tracks were actually demos originally meant for 2NE1 (some written by CL herself, for 2NE1), only slightly altered to sound more mainstream. Even the members’ vocal styles noticeably mirror those of 2NE1, making it obvious that Blackpink was meant to be seen as a "better version" of them, one that fits more neatly into beauty standards and public expectations. While 2NE1 faced constant criticism for not being “pretty enough” despite their talent and originality, Blackpink was curated to avoid that kind of pushback entirely. The result is a group that leans heavily on image and trend, rather than the boundary-pushing energy that made 2NE1 iconic in the first place. 

After comparing 2NE1’s tracks with Blackpink’s, it becomes clear why 2NE1 had such a distinct and unique sound. When Blackpink came under Teddy’s guidance, their music shifted into something more familiar and mainstream, losing the innovative edge that 2NE1 had. Teddy himself has admitted that 2NE1 was his muse—his inspiration for crafting bold, experimental sounds that pushed the envelope in K-pop. With Blackpink, however, it feels like Teddy’s influence became more about refining a marketable, polished formula that’s designed for global appeal, rather than creating something revolutionary. The result? Blackpink’s music sounds more like a polished imitation of 2NE1, with less of the grit and rawness that made the latter’s sound stand out. It might also be the generational difference, as 2NE1 is 2nd-Gen K-pop and Blackpink is 3rd-Gen, where many Western elements were evident. 2NE1 truly stood out not just in their music but in their visuals, looks, and willingness to experiment with new sounds. CL, in particular, was a force, producing songs for herself and her group, collaborating in groundbreaking ways that pushed K-pop forward. The diversity in 2NE1’s music—from powerful rap verses to experimental beats—was all part of their unique identity. (They had rock, pop, EDM, ballades and refined acoustic music with everything else either combined or separate.) Then... there's Blackpink with Ice Cream, featuring Selena Gomez.

In conclusion, while this analysis may seem slightly biased towards 2NE1, musically speaking, they stand head and shoulders above many other groups. 2NE1 was not just a K-pop phenomenon—they were a critically acclaimed, innovative force in music. They carved out their own unique sound, experimenting with genres and breaking boundaries like few others. Being ranked as the #5 top girl group in the world and selling over 66.5 million albums worldwide is a testament to their global impact. In comparison, Blackpink’s 8.53 million albums sold worldwide feels like a drop in the ocean. When it comes to experimental music and shaping the K-pop scene, 2NE1 is simply the best, especially during their time, when they were dominating charts across the globe and pushing music to new, uncharted territories.