Fantasy K-Pop Collab: 2NE1 Bom + Cyndi Lauper

2NE1 recently collaborated with Will.i.am on two songs, “Take the World On” and “Gettin' Dumb.” The group's lead rapper, CL, has announced she will release her solo comeback at the end of this month. Plus, 2NE1 as a group will be making a comeback this summer.

With the K-Pop universe currently focused on YG Entertainment's talented quartet, it seems like just the right time for the members to explore new opportunities and venture into uncharted territory.

Lead vocalist, Bom, has a unique singing style, it's girly yet powerful, a bit nasal, but extremely versatile. Her fashion, makeup, and hair are also equally unique. Has no one ever realized that she is exactly like a modern-day, Korean version of Cyndi Lauper?

Cyndi Lauper may have started her career well before Bom was even born, but she is still going strong. From her breakout album, She's So Unusual, to her current Broadway success with Kinky Boots, Lauper has proven 'time after time' that she is a pop icon capable of making hits.

Park Bom has released two solo singles since her debut with 2NE1 in 2009, and both reached the number one spot on the Korean music charts.

“You and I” was released in 2009 when 2NE1 was on hiatus while the girls focused on a handful of individual singles. It was the most successful of the solo projects and remained in the top spot on the Gaon Chart for the entire month of November. “You and I” was reportedly downloaded nearly 4.5 million times, making it one of the best-selling K-Pop tracks of all time and went on to win the Mnet Asian Music Award for Best Digital Single.

“Don't Cry” was released as a digital single ahead of 2NE1's second mini-album comeback in 2011. It saw success equal to that of her first single and managed to achieve an 'all-kill' in the Korean music charts.
This in-studio version shows off Bom's vocal control and the piano melody highlights the gentleness in her voice and pitch.

“Time After Time” was the second single from Cyndi Lauper's debut album and it spent two weeks in the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. It is also considered one of the greatest pop songs of all time according to both Rolling Stone and MTV.

“Into The Nightlife” comes from Cyndi Lauper's 2008 dance-electronica album Bring Ya to the Brinkand features pop-synth dance beats that prove the veteran singer can still keep her music relevant and hip for a young audience.

2NE1 have mentioned their interest in releasing a few more English-language singles before trying their hand at a full-length album in English. A Park Bom-Cyndi Lauper collaboration may just be a perfect opportunity to try things out.

Because both singers are equally versatile, able to switch gears from bubbly pop to synthesized dance to heartfelt ballad at the drop of a hat, there are many possibilities for a Park-Lauper mashup.

One option, that may also be the easiest, would be to release some of Lauper's old tracks as a duet with the 2NE1 singer. “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” is probably the most obvious choice, just listening to the song you can almost hear Park Bom singing it instead of Cyndi Lauper – it is definitely a song that would be able to show off just how similar the two singers' voices are.

But, perhaps moving away from the obvious would be a more interesting choice. Think: “True Colors.” It is soft enough to really highlight their vocal talents, while offering many chances to really belt things out in an updated version.

Another option for a collaboration could be taking a page from Miss Lauper herself and remake an old jazz favorite together.

Back in 2003, Cyndi Lauper released the album At Last, her collection of jazz-inspired hits that showed off a mature, polished side of the singer not often seen before.

Park Bom has shown off her pipes in acoustic numbers, reggae-inspired songs, dance-pop, and sweet ballads – but never has she tried anything that could be truly considered jazz or blues. And, judging by what we've heard of her so far, she has the definite potential to really wow us in that genre.

Perhaps a modern jazz or blues song, such as one from Regina Spektor, Adele, or Norah Jones?

The last possibility for a collaboration would be an entirely new song. Because both Cyndi Lauper and Park Bom are chameleons with their voices and song choices, figuring out where to start is going to be difficult. It could just as easily be a dance number, a smooth, sultry pop-ballad, or a catchy jam with an 80's throw-back feel.

Hard to choose just one, so why bother? Perhaps the best option for a collaboration between Park Bom and Cyndi Lauper needs to extend way past a single and become a full-on album?  Better yet - maybe Bom should star in the Korean version of Kinky Boots?