Format Digital download Genre K-pop
dance-pop Label YG Entertainment | Recorded 2012 Length 3:57 | |
Released July 5, 2012 (2012-07-05) | ||
"I Love You" is a song by South Korean girl group 2NE1 released on July 5, 2012. It was written and produced by long-time collaborator and fellow YG Entertainment label mate Teddy Park, with additional writing by Lydia Paek.
Contents
- Background and promotion
- Critical reception
- Chart performance
- Success in the UK
- I Love You Japanese version
- Single information
- Track listing
- References
The single debuted at number one on the Billboard Korea K-Pop Hot 100, marking the group's first number one single on the Korean Billboard charts.
Background and promotion
"I Love You" was written by Teddy Park, who has written and produced much of 2NE1's previous material, including "I Am the Best", "Fire" and "Go Away". 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."
On June 30, 2012, a 20-second teaser video of the group was released on SBS' Inkigayo. On the same day, member Dara posted a message to her Me2day, where she told fans, "To commemorate 2NE1′s release of the new track 'I Love You' on July 5th! Quiz on what genre it’ll be!!! I’ll give you a couple of hints so try guessing~ The correct answer will be revealed tomorrow night!!! ^^ Fighting! This song… is one that all ages will like! Hm… it doesn’t seem like a song 2NE1 would sing…!" The song combined electronic and trot music to create an entirely different sound and a new genre of music.
"I Love You" received its first promotional performance on SBS' The Music Trend on July 8, 2012 and again on July 15. The group was supposed to perform the song on M-Countdown but it was later cancelled after the death of member Minzy's grandmother. They made their appearance on the show the following week instead.
Critical reception
The song received positive reviews from critics. Christopher Weingarten of Spin stated that the song was a "perfect summation of pop's present and future", and compared the production similar to that of David Guetta, especially the use of synths and "ghostly" background vocals, while also comparing the rap-style vocals to that of American singer Kesha.
Chart performance
The song debuted at #2 on Gaon Chart behind "Loving U" by Sistar. In its second week, "I Love You" moved to the position #1 and had sold over 950,000 downloads in 11 days, making 2NE1 the fourth fastest-selling Korean female artist of 2012, after miss A, T-ara and Wonder Girls. In only three weeks the song was downloaded 1,346,000 times. In its 3rd charting week, "I Love You" dropped to #3 in the Gaon Chart selling another 403,000 downloads. The song became the Gaon Chart's best-selling song in the month of July. By the end of 2012 "I Love You" was downloaded over 2.8 million times.
Success in the UK
2NE1's I Love You was played on BBC Radio 1., the first Korean song to do so.
I Love You (Japanese version)
"I Love You" is the 2NE1's third Japanese single. It was released on September 19, 2012 under YGEX.
Single information
It was confirmed in July 2012 that "I Love You" would serve as the group's third official Japanese-language single. It will also serve as the accompanying song to 2NE1's Maybelline Japan endorsement campaign.
The single was released in two versions; limited edition which comes with DVD, and a regular edition which is a CD only.
Chart performance
The single debuted at number 3 spot on Oricon Daily Single Chart selling 10,646 copies.
Track listing
- I LOVE YOU (Japanese Version)