2 ((G)I-dle album) explained

2
Type:studio
Artist:(G)I-dle
Cover:(G)I-dle - 2.png
Alt:Digital cover art showing the group name and album logo
Caption:Digital cover
Length:20:57
Label:
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Prev Year:2023
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Next Year:2024

2 is the second studio album by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. It was released by Cube Entertainment on January 29, 2024, and contains eight tracks, including the pre-release single "Wife", and the lead single "Super Lady". The album was later supported by B-side songs such as "Fate" and "Revenge," which were successful on South Korean streaming platforms.[1] The album aims to showcase the group's extensive involvement in writing and producing songs centered around themes of female empowerment, trusting one's instincts, destiny, and love.[2]

Background and release

On January 8, 2024, Cube Entertainment announced (G)I-dle would be releasing their second studio album titled 2 on January 29.[3] Four days later, a comeback trailer was released.[4] On January 13, the promotional schedule was released.[5] Five days later, the track listing was released with "Super Lady" announced as the lead single.[6] On January 19, the audio snippet teaser was released.[7] On January 21, the music video teaser for "Wife" was released.[8] A day later, "Wife" was released alongside its music video.[9] On January 24, a story film for "Super Lady" was released,[10] followed by the music video teasers on January 25 and 26.[11] [12] The music video was released on January 29. A music video for the b-side track "Revenge" was released on February 16.[13]

Conception and recording

In an interview with Billboard, the group discussed their creative process. Minnie shared, "I started working on our songs when we were heading towards the end of our world tour (I Am Free-ty World Tour). Although I did not have enough time, I worked on the songs non-stop and was able to make 'Vision' and '7Days' within 10 days." Shuhua added, "Whenever we had a free moment, we practiced and recorded our songs." As noted by Billboard, "all members took active roles in shaping the album's direction," with Soyeon emphasized the collaborative effort, saying, "We all were involved together. We communicated with the choreographer to revise the details while learning the choreography for our title track single 'Super Lady' because I wanted to do something that wasn't so obvious." Yuqi added, "Most of the choreography and concept were centered around Soyeon, as she is the producer of the group, but all of our members gathered together to share our opinions."

Composition

2 contains eight tracks. The third track "Doll" was described as a song with "dark atmosphere" with lyrics "providing a fresh shock [in contrast] to the title reminiscent of a cute doll". In her review, Gladys Yeo of NME observed that "Doll" carries the essence of a sequel to 2022's "Sculpture," from their EP I LOVE (2022), portraying a shift into a villainous arc where the characters are no longer willing to contort themselves to gain love's validation. The fourth track "Vision" is a alluring jersey club song, with "dreamy chords." The fifth track "7 Days" contains "emotional guitar riff". The sixth track "Fate" was described as a song with "colorful band rhythm and melody". The seventh track "Rollie" was described as a hip-hop song with "dynamic and vintage" rhythm.[14] The last track "Wife" was described as bubblegum bass-based pop song with "bold" lyrics that "attracts attention with metaphorical but explicit".[15]

Critical reception

Gladys Yeo of NME emphasized the versatility displayed in 2, noting a spectrum of tracks from energetic anthems to introspective love songs. She commended the album for its diversity and the group's evolving dynamics. However, Yeo criticized certain tracks for their lack of innovation. Overall, she highlighted how the album stands as a testament to (G)I-DLE's individuality both as performers and producers.[16] IZM's Jang Jun-hwan reflects on (G)I-DLE's album I Never Die, which revitalizes the group's image as resilient and unyielding. He discusses the strategic approach of the pre-release single 'Wife', praising its boldness in breaking taboos within the K-pop scene. However, Jun-hwan criticizes the track 'Super lady' for losing its purpose and succumbing to overproduction. He evaluates other tracks like 'Revenge' and 'Doll', noting their thematic consistency but lack of individual power compared to previous b-side songs. Jun-hwan highlights 'Fate' as a standout track for its lyricism and atmospheric qualities. Ultimately, he questions the album's coherence and differentiation from the group's previous work, leaving lingering uncertainties about its intent and direction.[17]

Commercial performance

2 has surpassed the previous record set by I Feel; selling over 1,163,395 copies. Remarkably, the album achieved million-seller status within two days of its release, a notable feat given the recent downward trend in K-pop idol group sales. Positioning (G)I-DLE as the 5th highest-ranking K-pop girl group for all-time initial release sales, trailing behind Aespa, New Jeans, Ive, and Blackpink.[18]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[19] 11
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)[20] 8
Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)[21] 18
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[22] 26
Nigerian Albums (TurnTable)[23] 100
South Korean Albums (Circle)[24] 1
Swedish Physical Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[25] 18
UK Albums Sales (OCC)[26] 24
UK Physical Albums (OCC)[27] 22
US Billboard 200[28] 132
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[29] 22
US World Albums (Billboard)[30] 3

Monthly charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Position
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[31] 39
South Korean Albums (Circle)[32] 1

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
Various <-- Inclusive of South Korea -->January 29, 2024
South KoreaJanuary 30, 2024CD

Notes and References

  1. Web site: (여자)아이들, '아딱질'로 눈부신 역주행...감성 통했다 [N이슈]]. (G)I-DLE, a brilliant comeback with 'a hit'... Sensitivity connected [N Issue]. News1. ko. Lee. Min-ji. March 23, 2024. March 28, 2024.
  2. (G)I-DLE Break Down Their '2' Album Track-by-Track. Billboard. en-US. Benjamin. Jeff. February 5, 2024. March 29, 2024.
  3. Web site: ko:(여자)아이들, 정규 앨범으로 29일 컴백. (G)I-dle, comeback on the 29th with regular album. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=018&amp;aid=0005650792. Naver. E-daily. ko. Kim. Hyun-sik. January 8, 2024. January 28, 2024. January 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240128102931/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=018&aid=0005650792. live.
  4. Web site: ko:(여자)아이들, 정규 2집 트레일러..블랙 립 파격비주얼. (G)I-dle, 2nd full-length album trailer.. Black lip striking visuals. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&amp;aid=0003675533. Naver. Herald POP. ko. Kim. Na-yul. January 12, 2024. January 28, 2024. January 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240128103029/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003675533. live.
  5. Web site: ko:(여자)아이들, 더 강력하게 돌아온다...정규 2집 '2' 스케줄러 전격 공개. (G)I-dle, coming back stronger...Scheduler for 2nd full-length album '2' released. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=312&amp;aid=0000644837. Naver. Ten Asia. ko. Yoon. Jun-ho. January 13, 2024. January 28, 2024. January 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240128103017/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=312&aid=0000644837. live.
  6. Web site: ko:(여자)아이들, 타이틀곡은 'Super Lady'..멤버 전곡 작사·작곡 참여. (G)I-dle, the lead single is 'Super Lady'..All members participated in writing and composing the lyrics of the song. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&amp;aid=0005001013. Naver. Osen. ko. Ji. Min-kyung. January 18, 2024. January 28, 2024. January 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240128102928/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0005001013. live.
  7. Web site: ko:(여자)아이들, 정규 2집 오디오 스니펫 공개...컴백 기대감↑. (G)I-dle releases audio snippet from their 2nd full-length album...Expectations for comeback↑. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=421&amp;aid=0007301107. Naver. News1. ko. Ahn. Tae-hyun. January 19, 2024. January 28, 2024. January 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240128102928/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=421&aid=0007301107. live.
  8. Web site: ko:(여자)아이들, 정규 2집 마지막 트랙 'Wife' MV 티저 공개. (G)I-dle releases MV teaser for 'Wife', the final track of their 2nd full-length album. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&amp;aid=0003210391. Naver. MT Star News. ko. Kim. No-eul. January 21, 2024. January 28, 2024. January 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240128103017/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0003210391. live.
  9. Web site: ko:'컴백' (여자)아이들, 'Wife' 깜짝 선공개..5人5色 키치 매력. 'Comeback' (G)I-dle, surprise pre-release of 'Wife'..5 people, 5 colors, kitsch charm. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&amp;aid=0003677353. Naver. Herald POP. ko. Kang. Ka-hee. January 22, 2024. January 28, 2024. January 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240128103543/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003677353. live.
  10. Web site: ko:(여자)아이들, 선정성 논란 속 타이틀 'Super Lady' 스토리 필름 공개. (G)I-dle releases title 'Super Lady' story film amid controversy over sexual nature. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&amp;aid=0005004561. Naver. Osen. ko. Ji. Min-kyung. January 24, 2024. January 28, 2024. January 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240128103545/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0005004561. live.
  11. Web site: ko:(여자)아이들 'Super Lady' 티저 공개, 'Wife' 가사 논란 뚫을 수 있을까. (G)I-dle's 'Super Lady' teaser released, will it be able to overcome the controversy over 'Wife' lyrics?. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=445&amp;aid=0000170671. Naver. MHN Sports. ko. Kim. Tae-hoon. January 25, 2024. January 28, 2024. January 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240128103505/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=445&aid=0000170671. live.
  12. Web site: ko:(여자)아이들, 비주얼 정점..'Super Lady' 두 번째 티저 공개. (G)I-dle, visual peak..'Super Lady' second teaser released. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&amp;aid=0003678157. Naver. Herald POP. ko. Kim. Ji-hye. January 26, 2024. January 28, 2024. January 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240128103506/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003678157. live.
  13. Web site: ko:(여자)아이들, 정규 2집 수록곡 'Revenge' MV 깜짝 공개. (G)I-DLE, surprise release of MV for 'Revenge', a song from their 2nd full-length album. https://tenasia.hankyung.com/article/2024021688564. Ten Asia. ko. Yoon. Junho. February 16, 2024. February 16, 2024.
  14. Web site: ko:'컴백' (여자)아이들, 오디오 스니펙 오픈..명반 탄생 예고. 'Comeback' (G)I-dle opens audio snippet, heralding the birth of a masterpiece. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&amp;aid=0003676913. Naver. Herald POP. ko. Kim. Ji-hye. January 19, 2024. January 28, 2024. January 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240128103509/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003676913. live.
  15. Web site: ko:"키스하고 먹어치워" (여자)아이들, 선공개곡 '와이프' 공개. "Kiss and eat it up" (G)I-dle releases pre-release song 'Wife'. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&amp;aid=0001101554. Naver. Sports Donga. ko. Jeong. Hee-yeon. January 22, 2024. January 28, 2024. January 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240128103518/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0001101554. live.
  16. Web site: (G)I-DLE – '2' review: a fierce testament to their individuality. NME. en-GB. Yeo. Gladys. February 9, 2024. March 8, 2024.
  17. Web site: Neo Music Communication IZM. www.izm.co.kr. March 29, 2024.
  18. Web site: (여자)아이들, 반쪽짜리 활동에도 '커리어하이' [줌인]]. (G)I-DLE, 'career high' despite half-hearted activities [Zoom in]. Daily Sports. ko. Park. Se-yeon. February 7, 2024. February 11, 2024.
  19. Web site: 2 – Week 11, 2024. HDU. hr. March 19, 2024. March 24, 2024.
  20. Web site: Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2024. 8. hét. MAHASZ. February 29, 2024.
  21. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2024-02-12. Oricon. ja. February 8, 2024. February 8, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240208034340/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/coa/w/2024-02-12/p/2/.
  22. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of February 7, 2024. Billboard Japan. ja. February 7, 2024.
  23. Official Top 100 Albums: March 22nd, 2024 - March 28th, 2024. TurnTable. April 5, 2024. April 5, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240405143739/https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/2. dead.
  24. Web site: Circle Album Chart – Week 5, 2024. Circle Chart. ko. February 8, 2024.
  25. Web site: Veckolista Album Fysiskt, vecka 7. Sverigetopplistan. February 9, 2024.
  26. Web site: Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. March 9, 2024.
  27. Web site: Official Physical Albums Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. March 9, 2024.
  28. Billboard 200: Week of March 16, 2024. Billboard. March 12, 2024.
  29. Independent Albums: Week of March 16, 2024. Billboard. March 12, 2024.
  30. World Albums: Week of March 16, 2024. Billboard. March 12, 2024.
  31. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2024-03. Oricon. ja. April 10, 2024. April 10, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240410040448/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/m/2024-03/p/4/.
  32. Web site: Circle Album Chart – January 2024. Circle Chart. ko. February 8, 2024.