2NE1 becomes 1st K-pop artist to top Japan's Oricon with debut release

2NE1 [YG Entertainment]

Girl group 2NE1 has topped Japan's prestigious Oricon chart with their debut release in the country, making them the first Korean artist to achieve the feat.

Oricon's official website showed on Thursday that 2NE1's first mini-album, released in Japan on September 21, took first place on the daily chart after selling over an estimated 4,850 copies.

The record had entered the chart in fourth place the previous day, as well as at No. 2 on iTunes Japan's comprehensive albums chart and first on its pop albums chart.

Composed of "I AM THE BEST," "UGLY," "LONELY," "HATE YOU" and "DON'T STOP THE MUSIC," the tracks to the girls' new album are originally from their second mini-album in Korea.

To promote the release, 2NE1 has been on a nationwide tour in Japan which kicked off at Yokohama's Yokohama Arena on September 19 and 20, will then take place at the World Memorial Hall in Kobe for two days starting September 24 and wrap up at the Makuhari Messe in Tokyo on October 1 and 2.

The girls will release their first original Japanese single on November 16 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@