2Yoon

2Yoon (Hangul: 투윤, commonly stylized as 2YOON) was the first sub-group of South Korean girl group 4Minute, formed by Cube Entertainment in 2013. The sub-group consisted of Gayoon and Jiyoon.^[1]

History

Gayoon and Jiyoon were the lead singers of 4Minute.^[2] Cube Entertainment CEO Hong Seung Sung wanted to pair them in a sub-group after watching the duo perform live at the 2011 United Cube in London.^[1]

The duo were known to fans collectively as Ssangyoon^[3] (Hangul: 쌍윤) (a portmanteau of the Hangul word for "twins" and the last characters of their given name "yoon").^[4] However, as the pronunciation of "Ssangyoon" involves a tensed consonant, it was deemed to be ill-fitting for the group's cute image. As such, the sub-unit was renamed as 2Yoon.^[5] In addition, "ssangyoon" could be potentially misheard as a profanity,^[6] further supporting the basis for the name change.

2Yoon appeared on MBC's Weekly Idol as Ssangyoon, since the show was recorded before the official name change.^[7]

Career

On January 7, 2013, Cube Entertainment announced that the 2Yoon debut album, Harvest Moon, was slated for a mid-January release, with "24/7" confirmed as the title track.^[8] On January 22, 2013, 2YOON released its album and accompanying music video for "24/7."^[9] 2Yoon made its television debut on M! Countdown on January 18, 2013.^[10]

2Yoon's members revealed through an interview that they felt motivated and encouraged by Girls' Generation members after a listening session. Gayoon, through another interview, also revealed she lost weight rehearsing to the song's choreography. Due to their innovative efforts, Time Magazine showed interest in 2Yoon's music and observed Korea's potential in the world's music scene.^[11] 2Yoon became the first Korean girl group to be interviewed by Time.^[11] In the interview with TIME, the members cited that they listened to artists like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, and that they were used as inspiration to the recording sessions.^[12]

24/7

The video starts with both of the group's members entering "Dream Village."^[13] It is apparent through their dressing style and baggage that they are newcomers to this village. Both of them change their outfits to rodeo-attire. Farm workers are shown performing various farmwork tasks (such as feeding animals enclosed by fences, floor brushing, harvesting, and carrying and dropping hay on the floor. One of them pretends to be mounting a broom bronco). When the duo comes in, the farmers bow. The scene changes, showing both of them standing in front of two microphones, singing to the bridge "to the left, to the right" while background actors perform as percussionists among others. The scene continues changing back and forth, also showing them engaging in farmwork and housekeeping tasks. The speed of the tasks increases. When it reaches the chorus, it recedes down while a member brings an old sound system and starts dancing to the chorus. One by one, people stop what they were doing and join the dance. A fireplace is shown with 2Yoon's members drinking from a metallic mug. The video changes its view to a crowd in front of a western saloon (with a saloon sign featuring the group's name), waving at the musicians while they are standing and singing in front of two microphones. The video once again changes its scene back and forth with its intensity increasing as it reaches the chorus, while one of the members pick up what seems to be a flower that is going to be used as a dart. She throws the flower dart at a dartboard but misses it, actually hitting a BTOB member. All of BTOB comes in and starts a dance break. There is also what seems to be fighting scene involving them. The duo is once again shown with backup dancers and comedian Jung Hyung-don riding a mechanical bull while spilling water. There is an emphasis on the second chorus' hook. Several dancers dance to the "boom, clap" refrain. The final bridge of the song showcases each member singing to their respective parts, featuring all previous scenarios shown. In one of them, Gayoon is seen spinning with a young boy while Jiyoon sings her verse with the crowd in the back. By the ending the majority of the cast dances to the remaining respective chorus and hook, and 2Yoon ends the song with their arms interlaced.

Marc Hogan of Spin called 2Yoon's music video "as giddily irresistible as you'd hope," commending the pair for incorporating elements of country music without losing the "characteristically hyper-melodic, electronica"-ness of K-Pop.^[14] Lily Rothman of Time lauded 2Yoon for attempting the "unlikely union" of Country Music and K-Pop, showing the symbiotic influence that both American-music and K-Pop exert on each other.^[15] Park Hyun-min of Mnet praised the "light and joyous" execution of the lead single.^[16]

"24/7" received polarized reviews, some praising its innovative attempt into bringing country music to Korean Pop, while others criticizing aspects such as melody, lyrics, rap style and technique, claiming the song as an experimental failure.^[13][17][18]

Members

2Yoon had two members: Heo Ga-yoon (허가윤) and Jeon Ji-yoon (전지윤).

Artistry

2Yoon has been praised by both foreign and domestic music magazines for being the first K-Pop act to release a country-inspired track.^{[19][15][14][16]}

2Yoon became the first sub-unit of a Korean music group to be promoted in Thailand,^[20] performing and giving interviews.^[21]

Discography

Extended play

Singles

Notes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 4Minute (band).

• 2Yoon 1st Album Harvest Moon (Korean)