Singer Park Bom is returning with her new single "Flower" after a year-long hiatus.

On Wednesday, Park’s agency D-Nation Entertainment announced that “Flower” will be released on March 11 via music streaming platforms. The track, featuring Kim Min-seok of male duo MeloMance, is a duet about a woman going through a breakdown and a man who wants to be by her side nonetheless, according to D-Nation.

“We’re anticipating the synergy between Park, who is loved all around the world for her unique voice, and chart-topping master vocalist Kim,” the agency said.

The singer debuted in 2009 as a member of girl group 2NE1 under K-pop powerhouse YG Entertainment. 2NE1 was first introduced to the K-pop scene through the song “Lollipop” released in collaboration with boy band Big Bang, another act under the YG label. “Lollipop” was an instant hit thanks to not only its catchy melody but also the singers’ bold fashion statements, considered shocking at the time.

Thanks to the group’s unconventional fashion sense and music, 2NE1 was promptly nicknamed the “female Big Bang” and made its official debut in May that year through its “Fire” (2009). The group went on to release hits such as “I Don’t Care” (2009), “Can’t Nobody” (2010), “I Am The Best” (2011) and “I Love You” (2013).

While the popular style for girl groups around the time of 2NE1’s debut was an image of demure femininity, 2NE1 emphasized powerful vocal performances, eccentric fashion and rebellious lyrics. The group is considered to have established the confident “girl crush” image popular among female K-pop acts to this day.

Park’s unique voice caught the public’s attention from the start. In October of the same year she debuted as a member of 2NE1, Park also launched her solo career with the digital single “You and I.” She became a well-known singer in her own right, releasing hits such as “Don’t Cry” (2011).

She also frequently featured on other artists’ tracks thanks to her recognizable voice, such as “Oh Yeah” (2010) by Big Bang’s subunit GD&TOP, “I Cheated” (2011) by comedy duo GG formed for MBC’s entertainment “Infinite Challenge" and “Up” (2012) by Epik High.

2NE1 officially disbanded in November 2016 and Park left YG entertainment. After a couple years of hiatus, she signed with D-Nation in 2018 and resumed her activities as a solo act in 2019, releasing “Spring” (2019) featuring her former bandmate Sandara Park and “4:44” (2019) featuring Wheein of girl group Mamamoo.

That year, Park competed in the first season of cable channel Mnet’s “Queendom” (2019), a survival program that sees six high-profile female K-pop acts compete by each releasing a new song on the same day. The winner is awarded with a solo comeback show on Mnet. Park was the only solo artist among participating girl groups AOA, Mamamoo, Lovelyz, Oh My Girl and (G)I-DLE. Although she didn’t win, the return of her unique voice was welcomed by many.

Park has been actively releasing music ever since. Her latest release was her digital single “Do Re Mi Fa Sol” in March 2021.


Park Bom

Date of birth: March 24, 1984
Zodiac sign: Aries
Birthplace: Seoul
Debut: March 2009 as a member of girl group 2NE1
Agency: D-Nation Entertainment

Singer Park Bom debuted in 2009 as a member of 2NE1, the iconic girl group behind hits including “Fire” (2009)” and “I Am The Best” (2011), which is considered to have established the confident “girl crush” image popular in K-pop today. Known for her unique voice, Park launched her solo career shortly after her debut as a member of 2NE1. She dropped popular ballads “You and I” (2009) and “Don’t Cry” (2011). After 2NE1 disbanded in 2016, Park took a hiatus until she resumed her activities as a solo act in 2019, releasing “Spring” (2019)” and “4:44” (2019). She also appeared on cable channel Mnet’s survival program “Queendom” (2019), a competition show among six high-profile female K-pop acts.

This information was confirmed by D-Nation Entertainment on March 2, 2022.

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]