"I Love You"
Korean version cover. On Japanese versions' artwork, the colors are slightly altered.
Single by 2NE1
ReleasedJuly 5, 2012 (2012-07-05)
September 19, 2012 (2012-09-19) (JP)
Genre
Length3:57
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Teddy Park
2NE1 singles chronology
"Scream"
(2012)		 "I Love You"
(2012)		 "Falling in Love"
(2013)
Music video
"I Love You" on YouTube

"I Love You" is a song recorded in two languages (Korean and Japanese) by South Korean girl group 2NE1. The Korean version was released on July 5, 2012, through YG Entertainment, while the Japanese version was released on September 19 by YGEX as the group's third Japanese single. The song was produced by 2NE1's long-time collaborator Teddy Park. Musically, "I Love You" is described as an affectionate, lush, and "moody synth" dance-pop track that infuses elements of electronic and traditional Korean trot music to create a "different sound" and "new genre of music", whilst still showing the beauty of Korean culture.

Upon release, "I Love You" garnered generally positive reviews from music critics, with them complimenting the song's production and composition along with the unique musical styles. It was ranked within the top five on Billboard magazine's list of Best K-Pop Songs of 2012 and was further included on their list of 100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s in November 2019.

The song was a commercial success in South Korea, topping both the Gaon Digital Chart and the Billboard K-pop Hot 100. It went on to sell more than 2.7 million digital units by the end of the year, standing as one of the best-selling singles in the country in 2012. In Japan, the song peaked at number five on the Oricon Singles Chart and sold 15,700 physical copies. It was included on the set list of the group's first worldwide concert tour, the New Evolution Global Tour (2012), where the group embarked on in late July.

Background and release

In a StarNews article published on May 21, 2012, an official from YG Entertainment revealed that 2NE1 had recorded seven new songs produced by Teddy Park and planned to release a new Korean album in mid-June.[1] After a month with no news, however, YG announced via YG Life on June 29 that 2NE1 would make a comeback with a new single titled "I Love You" on July 5, 2012, marking their first Korean language single since "Ugly" in a year.[2] The agency also announced initial plans for the release of a new single every three weeks, leading up to a new album.[3] "I Love You" was subsequently released for digital download and streaming as a single on July 5.[4] The song was produced by Teddy Park, who had worked on many of 2NE1's previous material—including "Fire" (2009), "Go Away" (2010) and "I Am the Best" (2011)—and was co-written by Park and Lydia Paek.[5]

The Japanese version of the single was first made available digitally on August 29, 2012 in Japan and was subsequently released as the group's third Japanese CD single on September 19 through YGEX—a joint venture between YG Entertainment and Avex. The Japanese lyrics were co-written by Keisuke, Tatsuji Ueda, Sunny Boy and Izumi Soratani.[6] It was physically distributed in two formats: a CD-only regular edition and a CD + DVD limited edition bundle.[7] "I Love You" was later included on the Japanese edition of 2NE1's third studio album titled Crush, which was released nearly two years later on June 25, 2014.[8]

Composition and lyrics

Musically, "I Love You" was described as an affectionate, lush, and "moody synth" dance-pop number that combines elements of electronic and traditional Korean trot music instrumentals to create a "different sound" and a "new genre of music" contrasting with the styles the group has explored in the past.[9][10][11] The song is composed in the key of C minor with a tempo of 125 beats per minute, and has a length of 3:57.[12] In a press release, YG Entertainment stated that, "Since their debut, they have always done hip-hop, electronic, reggae and R&B. It was time for them to challenge themselves and try something new."[13] The incorporation of oriental trot instrumentation in the song is a reference to the genre being considered the earliest form of Korean popular music—dating back to the era of Korea under Japanese rule, and became the defining element of the Korean music scene throughout the 1900s.[14][15] Lyrically, "I Love You" is a confession song, with the songwriting depicting the emotions and confusion of a strong and independent, yet inexperienced, woman falling in love; as the members sing: "Don't get obsessed / Don't make me jealous / I'm still afraid of love / Give me faith like this."[16] In an interview with Star News, CL elaborated on the song's musical direction, saying:

"We have always tried to mix different genres, whether it be rock or acoustic or hip-hop. This time it's like trot. Japan has 'enka' music, and it seems to resonate well with the emotions. Since there is no such genre in the United States, I think it will feel fresh. We want to show the beauty of Korean culture through us."[17]

Reception

Critical reception

In international reviews, critics compared "I Love You" to music by Kesha (left) and David Guetta (right).

The song was met with mostly positive reviews from music critics. Christopher Weingarten of Spin stated that the song was a "perfect summation of pop's present and future", and compared the production to that of David Guetta, especially the use of synths and "ghostly" background vocals, while also comparing the rap-style vocals to those of American singer Kesha.[18] Korean webzine IZM noted how the song structurally deviates from common hook songs, and said that "the more you listen, the more new things are discovered".[19]

In a less favorable review, a contributor from Rolling Stone Japan rated the song 3 out of 5 stars, saying that the melodious trot made the song feel a "little damp" and "less fluttering than usual".[20] Conversely, Owen Myers of Popjustice praised the song's composition and ranked "I Love You" as the best K-pop single of 2012, writing that "it combines the best bits of pop into a rarefied cavalcade of amazingness".[21]

Billboard magazine listed "I Love You" number four in their list of 20 Best K-Pop Songs of year in December 2012, complementing the song's composition and the group's vocal delivery.[22] Jeff Benjamin of the same publication praised the song's musical style, saying "in the last 30 seconds, the cut flips on itself for an all-out, punky-party jam that only the most formidable of pop acts could successfully pull off".[9] They further ranked the song number 67 on their 100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s list in November 2019, referring to it as one of 2NE1's finest works, and praised the "brilliance of [the song's] complexity".[23]

Awards

"I Love You" was nominated for multiple awards, including Digital Daesang at the 27th Golden Disc Awards, but lost to "Gangnam Style" by labelmate Psy.[24] "I Love You" won the Digital Bonsang award at the same event and Song of the Year for July 2012 at the 2nd Gaon Chart Music Awards (then referred to as "K-Pop Awards"), at the Olympic Hall on February 13.[25]

Awards and nominations for "I Love You"
Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2012 Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Female Group Nominated [26]
Best Global Group – Female Nominated
2013 Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards Song of the Year – July Won [25]
Golden Disc Awards Digital Bonsang (Main Prize) Won [24]
Digital Daesang Nominated
Myx Music Awards Favorite K-pop Video Nominated [27]
Seoul Music Awards Bonsang Award Won [28]

Commercial reception

Upon the song's release, it topped all South Korean daily charts, including Melon and Mnet, and achieved an all-kill.[29] The song debuted at number one on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100, becoming the group's first number-one single on the chart.[30] During its debut week, the song reached the number two position on the Gaon Digital Chart, placing behind "Loving U" by Sistar.[31] During its second week, "I Love You" reached the top position on the Gaon Digital Chart, becoming the group's sixth number-one single, and sold over 950,000 digital units after 11 days.[32] In its third charting week, "I Love You" descended to number 3, selling another 403,000 downloads, and became the best-selling song of July 2012.[33] By the end of the year, "I Love You" sold over 2.7 million digital units in the country, and was ranked as the eleventh best-selling song on the year-end component download chart.[34] Factoring in streaming figures and instrumental/ringtone downloads, the song landed at number six for best-performing songs overall in South Korea on the year-end Gaon Digital Chart issue for 2012.[35]

Elsewhere, in the United States, "I Love You" peaked at number three on the Billboard US World Digital Song Sales chart.[36] On the chart's year-end issue, it was ranked as the thirteenth most downloaded foreign-language/international song in the US.[37] In Japan, the song reached number three on the daily Oricon Singles Chart and number five on the chart's weekly counterpart in the week ending on October 1, and sold 15,700 physical copies in the country by the end of the year.[38]

Music video and live performances

The first teaser for the song's music video was released on July 1, 2012, which composed a clip of Dara and Minzy singing snippets of their verses. It was followed up with similar teasers featuring CL and Bom singing their verses on July 2 and 3, respectively. On July 4, 2012, a 25-second teaser was uploaded, featuring all of the members as well as showcasing the song's full chorus.[39] "Slowly transitioning from space-pop styling to a more glamorous affair," as Bradley Stern writes, the members pose and pout on beds while showing off unique and intricate nail designs and looks.[40] It garnered more than 1 million views within 17 hours of being released.[4] The dance practice video for the song was uploaded to 2NE1's YouTube channel on July 10, 2012, which was recorded by YG Entertainment's founder Yang Hyun-suk.[41]

"I Love You" premiered on television with the group's performance on SBS' Inkigayo on July 8, 2012.[42] During the intro performance, CL rapped a verse from the then-unknown track "Falling in Love" in English with a parrot on her shoulder, which would be released as their next single exactly one year later.[43] For "I Love You", the stage additionally incorporated live swans for decorations; the use of live animals for the performance stirred controversy amongst netizens as some felt that it was "borderline animal cruelty". Their agency subsequently apologized for the insensitive gesture.[44] 2NE1 included "I Love You" in the set list for their first worldwide concert tour titled "New Evolution" where they embarked on later that month, which is considered to be the first worldwide tour and first American solo arena tour by a K-pop girl group.[45]

Following the Japanese release of "I Love You" on September 19, 2012, it was chosen as the official accompanying track for 2NE1's Maybelline New York endorsement campaign in Japan, which provided the theme song to one of the cosmetics company's newly launched mascara lines.[46] On October 18, 2012, 2NE1 performed the song along with "I Am the Best" at the K-Pop Collection in Okinawa, which was broadcast on November 1.[47] At the SBS K-Pop Super Concert in Irvine, California on November 10, the song was part of the group's set.[48] At year-end award shows and festivals, they performed the song at the annual Melon Music Awards on December 14,[49] SBS Gayo Daejeon on December 29,[50] and the MBC Gayo Daejejeon two days later.[51] They again performed the song at the 22nd Seoul Music Awards on January 31, 2013.[52]

Track listing

Digital download – Korean version[53]
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."I Love You" (아이 러브 유; Ai Leobeu Yoo)Teddy Park, Lydia PaekTeddy3:57
Total length:3:57
CD single – Japanese version[7]
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."I Love You"Teddy, Keisuke, Tatsuji Ueda, Sunny Boy, Izumi SorataniTeddy3:57
2."I Love You (Instrumental)" Teddy3:57
Total length:7:54
Limited Edition DVD – Japanese version[7]
No.TitleLength
1."I Love You PV" (Video Clip) 
2."I Love You PV" (Making Clip) 
3."The Vacation in Philippines" (Off shot footage recorded in the Philippines) 

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Melon.[54]

  • 2NE1 – primary vocals
  • Teddy Park – lyricist, composer, arranger
  • Lydia Paek – composer

Charts

Release history

Release dates and formats for "I Love You"
Region Date Format(s) Version Distributor Ref.
Various July 5, 2012 Korean version YG Entertainment [60]
Japan August 29, 2012 Japanese version Avex Group [61]
September 19, 2012 CD single [7]
CD + DVD

References

  1. ↑ Gil, Hye-seong (May 21, 2012). [단독]2NE1, 1년만 전격컴백..6월 韓새앨범·7월 콘서트 [[Exclusive] 2NE1 makes a surprise comeback after a year..new Korean album in June, concert in July]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved May 26, 2012 – via Naver.
  2. ↑ Choi, Ji-ye (June 29, 2012). 2NE1, 싱글 '아이 러브 유'로 7월 5일 컴백 확정 [2NE1 confirms comeback on July 5 with single 'I Love You'] (in Korean). Nate.
  3. ↑ Kang, Seung-hoon (June 29, 2012). 2NE1, 1년만에 싱글 'I Love You' 컴백. TVReport. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  4. 1 2 "2NE1's 'I Love You' MV draws over 1 million views in 17 hours". Daily K Pop News. July 9, 2012. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Credits / I Love You / 2NE1". Tidal. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  6. ↑ Teddy・Sunny Boy・Tatsuji Ueda・Izumi Soratani・Keisuke 作詞の歌詞一覧 - 歌ネット. Uta-Net (in Japanese). Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Discography | 2NE1 Official Japan Website" (in Japanese). 2NE1's Japanese website. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012.
  8. ↑ "2NE1の「Crush」" (in Japanese). Apple Music (JP). Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  9. 1 2 Benjamin, Jeff (January 24, 2017). "Every 2NE1 Single Ranked From Worst to Best: Critic's Take". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  10. ↑ Stern, Bradley (July 7, 2013). "2NE1, "Falling In Love": K-Pop Queens Hit Jackpot Again With New Summer Single". MuuMuse. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  11. ↑ Ji-ye, Choi (July 5, 2012). 2NE1 '아이 러브 유', 일렉트로닉+트로트 '파격' (in Korean). Nate. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Key, BPM of I Love You By 2NE1". Musicstax. November 6, 2013. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  13. ↑ Kim, Erika. "2NE1 Takes Over with an All-Kill for 'I Love You'". Mwave. Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  14. ↑ "2NE1 Embrace Oldest Form of K-Pop". The Chosun Ilbo. July 9, 2012. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Hot for trot - What's bigger than K-pop?". The Economist. November 5, 2020. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  16. ↑ Lee, Hye-rin (July 5, 2012). 2NE1의 러브송, 어떻게 달랐나.. '철벽녀'의 고백 (in Korean). Nate. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  17. ↑ Yoon, Seong-yeol (July 7, 2012). "2NE1 'Our music is unpredictable.. There is still a lot to show' (Interview)" (in Korean). Nate. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  18. ↑ Weingarten, Christopher R. (July 5, 2012). "K-Pop Heroes 2NE1 Return With Monster New Single I Love You". Spin. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  19. ↑ "2NE1 'I Love You – Review'". IZM (in Korean). July 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  20. ↑ "『I Love You』". Rolling Stone Japan. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  21. ↑ Myers, Owen (December 30, 2012). "The Top 15 K-Pop Singles of 2012". Popjustice. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  22. ↑ "The 20 Best K-Pop Songs of 2012". Billboard. December 21, 2012.
  23. ↑ "The 100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s: Staff List". Billboard. November 25, 2019. Archived from the original on November 28, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  24. 1 2 "The 27th Golden Disk Awards 2013 Winners List | Nocturnal". NOCTURNɅL. January 16, 2013. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  25. 1 2 "2nd Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards Winners". Hype Malaysia. February 13, 2013. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  26. ↑ "[MAMA] Nominees for the 2012 MAMA Announced". 2012 Mnet Asian Music Award. Mnet Media Corp. October 23, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  27. ↑ "2013 MYX Music Awards Signals Changing Of The Guard". Yahoo! Philippines. February 19, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  28. ↑ Vazifdar, Lena (January 31, 2013). "Seoul Music Awards 2013: Super Junior, Psy Amongst Winners". Travelers Today.
  29. ↑ 2NE1, 'I Love You' 공개와 동시에 차트 올킬 (in Korean). Nate. July 5, 2012. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  30. 1 2 "Billboard Korea K-pop Hot 100 – 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  31. ↑ 씨스타·2NE1·티아라, 7월 음원차트 1~3위 (in Korean). Nate. August 1, 2012. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  32. 1 2 2012년 29주차 Digital Chart. Gaon Chart. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  33. ↑ 2012년 07월 Digital Chart. Gaon Chart. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  34. ↑ 2012년 Download Chart. Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  35. 1 2 2012년 Digital Chart. Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  36. 1 2 "2NE1 Chart History (World Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  37. 1 2 "World Digital Song Sales – 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  38. ↑ オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  39. ↑ Citations regarding the teasers for the music video:
  40. ↑ Stern, Bradley (July 7, 2012). "K-Pop Queens 2NE1 Return with Glorious New Anthem, 'I Love You'". MuuMuse. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  41. ↑ Choi, Hyeon-jung (July 11, 2012). 양현석, 2NE1 '아이러브유' 안무 직접 촬영-편집 '애정과시'. Nate (in Korean).
  42. ↑ Jeon, Su-mi (July 4, 2012). "2NE1 Takes Over with an All-Kill for 'I Love You'". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2020. The awaited first performance of I Love You will be revealed through the July 8 broadcast of SBS' Inkigayo.
  43. ↑ Benjamin, Jeff (July 8, 2013). "2NE1 Kicks Off New Album With Reggae-Tinged 'Falling in Love': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  44. ↑ Sunwoo, Carla (July 10, 2012). "2NE1 apologizes for using animals as props". Korea JoongAng Daily.
  45. ↑ Benjamin, Jeff (August 23, 2012). "2NE1 Invades America: Behind the Scenes With the K-Pop Phenomenon". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2020. 2NE1's 'New Evolution' tour makes them the genre's first girl group to have a global tour, as well as the first to hold a solo arena show in the U.S.
  46. ↑ Jung, Ji-hee (September 4, 2012). "2NE1 gather 36,000 fans at start of Japan tour in Osaka". Nate. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2020. 'I Love You' has already been chosen for Maybelline New York's upcoming campaign for new mascara, which will soon air all over Japan.
  47. ↑ 박봄 단발머리 '심경의 변화?'…데뷔 후 첫 파격변신 [Park Bom's short hair 'Change of heart?'... First shocking transformation after debut]. Aju Economy. November 2, 2012.
  48. ↑ 美 ‘SBS 슈퍼콘서트’ 성료, ‘최정상 아이돌스타들의 향연’ (in Korean). Financial News. November 12, 2012.
  49. ↑ Jo, Woo-young (December 15, 2012). [2012 MMA]투애니원·허각 '톱10' 영광 (in Korean). Edaily.
  50. ↑ Im, Soo-yeon (December 29, 2012). '역시' 2NE1, 파격적인 스타일링과 박력있는 무대에 '관객 매료' (SBS 가요대전) ['As expected' 2NE1 'attracts the audience' with unconventional styling and powerful stage (SBS Gayo Daejun)]. X Sports News (in Korean) – via Naver.
  51. ↑ [MBC가요대제전] 다 같이 놀자 YG, 억눌렀던 끼 '폭발'. Segye Ilbo (in Korean). January 1, 2013 – via Naver.
  52. ↑ 박봄 맨발 공연 높은 하이힐의 훌러덩~ 아찔 사고에도 '파워풀 가창력' (in Korean). Maeil Newspaper. January 31, 2013.
  53. ↑ "I Love You" (in Korean). Melon. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  54. ↑ "I Love You" (in Korean). Melon. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  55. ↑ 2012年09月17日～2012年09月23日のCDシングル週間ランキング. Oricon. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  56. ↑ "2NE1 Chart History - Japan Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  57. ↑ "Adult Contemporary Airplay". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 1, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  58. ↑ "K-Pop Hot 100: 2NE1 Hold Off T-ara, Sistar". Billboard. July 24, 2012. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  59. ↑ "Digital Chart – July 2012". Circle Chart (in Korean). July 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  60. ↑ "I Love You - Single by 2NE1". Apple Music (US). Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  61. ↑ "I Love You – Single" (in Japanese). Apple Music (JP). August 29, 2012. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
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