2NE1 Japan career off to favorable start

2NE1 [YG Entertainment]

Girl group 2NE1's debut in Japan has taken off to a favorable start, their first release in the country placing within the top five slots of music charts.

The girls' mini-album released in the country on September 21, placed fourth on the prestigious Oricon's daily chart, second on iTunes Japan's comprehensive album chart and first on its pop albums chart, the websites for the respective charts showed the same day.

The record is composed of the Japanese version of their hit songs "I AM THE BEST," "UGLY," "LONELY," "HATE YOU" and "DON'T STOP THE MUSIC" which are originally from their second mini-album in Korea.

Just ahead of the album's release, 2NE1 performed at Yokohama's Yokohama Arena on September 19 and 20, the first leg of their "NOLZA in Japan" tour which attracted around a total 24,000 fans.

They will perform at the World Memorial Hall in Kobe next, for two days starting September 24 and wrap up the tour at the Makuhari Messe in Tokyo through shows on October 1 and 2.

On November 16, the girls will release their first original Japanese single which will be produced in two editions.

Formed of members Park Bom, CL, Sandara Park and Minzy, 2NE1 has been one of the most popular girl groups in Korea since making their debut in May 2009.

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10 아시아 Jessica Kim jesskim@