CONCERT REVIEW: A big ‘scream’ for 2NE1

MANILA, Philippines - There was a sea of people outside the SM Mall of Asia Arena last Saturday afternoon and Mr. Taxi Driver, who was passing by, was baffled by the commotion. Is there a concert by Rihanna? Beyoncé? Or Katy Perry? Nope, it turned out that the people were fans and supporters of one of the top girl groups in Korea —  2NE1 (pronounced “twenty one” or “to anyone.”)

Filipino Blackjacks (the name of 2NE1’s fans club) trooped to the arena to watch the one-night-only Manila leg of the group’s All or Nothing concert.

What made 2NE1 extra special to Filipinos is Sandara Park, one of the four members of the group.

Sandara made a mark in local showbiz in 2004 when she won second runner-up in the ABS-CBN talent search show Star Circle Quest, endearing herself to the Filipino public as the Korean with a Pinoy heart. During her brief career in the Philippines, Sandara starred in a couple of movies and released an album. But after her popularity fizzled out in 2007, Sandara decided to go back to Korea to join 2NE1, a girl group in the mold of Destiny’s Child or Spice Girls with a touch of Nicki Minaj.     

In 2009, 2NE1 released its debut single Fire which became the best-selling single in South Korea with 7,000,000 digital sales. It was followed by hit after hit — I Don’t Care, Go Away, Lonely and I Am The Best, chart-toppers that catapulted the group to fame all over Asia.

Last February, 2NE1 released its second Korean studio album Crush, which sold over 4.2 million digital album sales — making it the best-selling digital album of 2014 so far — and peaked at South Korea’s Gaon Music charts and US Billboard charts.

Despite her popularity and stature today, Sandara said she has never forgotten her fans here and has always considered Manila her second home.

At 2NE1’s concert last Saturday, Sandara showed her love for her fans when she introduced segments that delighted the sold-out crowd.

Sandara invited her friends in local showbiz, Sam Milby, Jason Abalos, Joross Gamboa and Ram from G-Force for a special number, which got the crowd crazy.

 At the chorus of the 2NE1 song I Love You, the hunks sat in front of the stage while the ladies did a sexy lap dance.

Sandara sat on Sam’s lap and leaned close to his face while the other girls gyrated in front of the boys. The performance drew the loudest screams from the audience.

During the encore, Sandara, together with Minzy and Bom, danced and sang her old Tagalog hit In or Out. She also let Bom sang the Tagalog lines from the song, which the latter delivered flawlessly.

During the almost three-hour show, the arena held up impressively with the elaborate video screens, flame bursts, fireworks, laser lights, Harley motorcycles, hyperactive back-up dancers and a catwalk-ready stage that traversed the whole arena. The girls incessantly exhorted the crowd to party as they sang, stepped and smiled through every choreographed moment without missing a cue.

In Fire, Gotta Be You, Do You Love Me, Scream and I Am The Best, the girls sang and danced like there was no tomorrow.

A member who clearly stood out and sought the spotlight aggressively was CL (a.k.a Chaelin Lee).

CL was a spark plug, igniting the stage with her booming voice and energetic dance moves.

During her solo turn where she performed Baddest Female, CL rapped with an attitude and sang with swagger, further heating up the crowd.

At the start of the concert, it was clear that Minzy and CL are the singers in the group.

There were times when Bom and Sandara’s voices shook as they sang the high notes in 2NE1’s soaring ballad Ugly. But what they lacked in vocals, they made up with their dancing and good looks. Bom and Sandara are eye candies and the prettiest in the group.

Near the end of the concert, the 2NE1 girls thanked their Filipino fans for a memorable concert.

Sandara was solicitous towards her Pinoy fans, telling them: “Lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila na maganda dito sa Pilipinas dahil ang mga Pilipino mababait at ang pagkain masarap.”

The girls ended the concert with a promise to come back.

2NE1’s All Or Nothing World Tour in Manila was organized by PULP LIVE WORLD.