I Don't Care (2NE1 song)

Did You Know?

• "I Don't Care" won 12 first place trophies on domestic music programs, including triple crowns on M Countdown and Inkigayo.
• The reggae mix of the song was arranged by Sunwoo Jung-ah, who also arranged and composed 2NE1's later single "It Hurts (Slow)".

Background and release

YG Entertainment announced on June 25, 2009, that a new single titled "I Don't Care" would be released on July 1, with the group's debut mini-album to follow on July 8. The single followed the first lead single "Fire", released in May, which had received positive critical and commercial reception. YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun-suk stated that "I Don't Care" would allow the group to display a softer and more feminine image, contrasting with the stronger and edgier feel of "Fire". Member CL described the song as "a warning message for the men and advice for the women". The single was officially released for digital download and streaming on July 1, 2009. Two remixes were later made available: an unplugged reggae version on September 3, 2009, arranged by Sunwoo Jung-ah, and a remix by former 1TYM rapper Song Baek-kyoung on September 28. The reggae mix was added to the group's debut studio album To Anyone (2010), and a Japanese-language version appeared on their first Japanese studio album Collection, released by YGEX on March 28, 2012. On December 21, 2020, the song trended in the Philippines following a domestic incident the previous day.

Music and lyrics

The release of "I Don't Care" marked a switch in image for 2NE1 compared to their debut single "Fire", which had a bold and fierce concept. YG Entertainment intended the song to possess a concept focusing on enhancing femininity rather than intensity, allowing for a more "public friendly" image. Musically, it is a medium-tempo pop track with a softer melody incorporating influences of R&B and reggae, written in the key of C♯ major at 132 beats per minute. The reggae integration aimed to advance reggae-like styles into South Korea's mainstream music scene. Lyrically, the song revolves around themes of independence and confidence, depicting the emotions of someone feeling renewal after initiating a breakup with a troubled lover.

Commercial performance

"I Don't Care" topped daily charts in South Korea shortly after its release and was the most downloaded track in the second week of July, becoming the month's best-selling single. It achieved first place on KBS's Music Bank, Mnet's M! Countdown, and SBS's Inkigayo, earning the group their first triple crown on Inkigayo and leading the Music Bank and M Countdown charts for multiple weeks. Bugs! named it the best-selling single of 2009, with four other 2NE1 songs in the top 100, making the group the act with the most top 100 songs that year. It was also 2009's best-selling single on Mnet and Monkey3 and was ranked the most popular song of the year by Cyworld, becoming the third consecutive track by a YG group to receive that honor after Big Bang's "Lies" (2007) and "Haru Haru" (2008).

Music video and promotion

The music video for "I Don't Care" premiered on Melon on July 9, 2009, and was uploaded to YG Entertainment's official YouTube channel on August 27. Directed by Cha Eun-taek, who had previously directed Big Bang's "Lies" video, it was filmed over two days on June 22 and 23, 2009. The video shows the members visiting a fortune teller after learning of their cheating boyfriends; the fortune teller freezes time, and the members sabotage their boyfriends. Actor Lee Jong-suk plays Dara's boyfriend. Promotions ran from July to August 2009, with the group debuting the song live on KBS2's Music Bank on July 10. The performance received positive reception for its youthful choreography matching the soft reggae melody. The song achieved first place for multiple weeks on Music Bank, M! Countdown, and Inkigayo, leading the Music Bank chart for five consecutive weeks. An unplugged reggae version was performed on Inkigayo on August 30, signaling the end of regular promotions, and was released digitally on September 3.