It's Wednesday and as always,.. it's celebrity news time with our Michelle Kim. I hear she has some news on the U.S. debut of K-pop group and updates from Hollywood.

Hello Michelle

[Reporter : ] Hello Conn-young

So which K-pop group is in the U.S.[Reporter : ] It's the four-member girl group 2NE1, which has become one of my favorites. The K-pop group is just coming off of a successful concert on the east coast and will next go west for a concert in Los Angeles on Friday. Here are the details on the group's tour and its very famous producer.



K-pop girl group 2NE1 arrived in the U.S. a couple of days ago with dreams of making it big, just as they have in their home country.
So far, they seem to be making a splash, but Bom, the group's lead singer, says they are not yet even close to achieving their goals.


[Interview : Bom, Lead Singer of 2NE1] "I don't think that we've made it all the way yet. We want to continue improving to bring you better music."

The four member group -- which includes CL, Minzy, Dara and Bom -- made its American debut in Newark, New Jersey, in front of an arena full of thousands of screaming fans.
Group member Dara said that for her, the fans are what make the experience enjoyable.


[Interview : Dara, Member of 2NE1] "I think our fans are alike, no matter where we go. Especially those who come to our concerts, they jump along and enjoy with us so we have a good time wherever we go."

2NE1 is just one of the growing number of K-pop groups to try to break into the American music scene, the brass ring for groups from outside the country.
Supported by the wave of Korean culture called Hallyu that's been sweeping into the West via Asia, K-pop groups have found some success with music that boasts repetitive choruses and bands that perform highly stylized, synchronized dance moves.
As evidence of the trend, U.S. music chart Billboard launched a new Hot 100 chart for K-pop earlier this year.
Although 2NE1 may not yet be as big in Jersey as it is in Asia, the backing of producer will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas may assure that the group soon moves further to the forefront of the American pop music scene.
The group takes its act to Los Angeles on Friday before heading back to Asia for a concert tour.

Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr