2NE1 to unveil new Japanese album in Feb 2012

2NE1 [YG Entertainment]

Korean female idols 2NE1 will unveil a new album in Japan in February of next year, according to their agency YG Entertainment.

On Monday, an official with YG told 10Asia that 2NE1 will release a new Japanese album although its format and date of release has yet to be announced.

2NE1, formed of members Park Bom, Sandara Park, CL and Minzy, has been one of Korea's most successful and popular groups in the country since their debut in 2009.

Their singing career in Japan, which they kicked off in September of this year, took off to a favorable start as well, topping the Oricon chart with their debut release in the country to make them the first Korean artist to achieve the feat.

In November, the girls released their first original Japanese single, produced in two editions, which ranked ninth on Oricon's daily chart on the day of its release.

Meanwhile, the girls have created a splash overseas, being picked as the best band of the year by MTV's IGGY, working with Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am on their U.S. debut album as well as having their song "I Am the Best" named as one of the best singles in 2011 by U.S. Slant Magazine.

The girls, along with their YG Entertainment labelmates Big Bang, Se7en, Gummy, PSY and Tablo, will hold a joint concert, marking the 15th anniversary of their firm, in Japan next month.

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