2NE1 crowned MTV Iggy’s best new band at New York concert.

[JoongAng Ilbo]

On Dec. 12, K-pop band 2NE1 performed for an audience of 2,000 fans at Times Square in New York. The event orchestrated by MTV Iggy was a contest showcasing the best new bands around the world. The event marked the end of a one-year search for new talent. Fans were able to choose among finalists for six weeks leading up to Dec. 12.

Though 2NE1 was the headline act, the concert also featured other talented musicians from all over the world, including Venezuela’s La Vida Boheme, Jamaica’s Gyptian and Malaysia’s Yuna.

The girls of 2NE1 took to the stage and sung hits such as “Fire,” “Can’t Nobody” and “Lonely” to a crowd that sang along.

World-class stars such as Madonna, Lady Gaga and Britney Spears have performed at the same concert in previous years.

After the show, the band commented, “We were so happy with the number of fans who turned up for us. It was such an incredible feeling to be able to have fun despite the language barrier.”

The four-member girl band also found a friend in New York-based designer Jeremy Scott, who dressed the girls in his 2012 spring/summer collection and turned up at the concert to wish the girls luck. The girls will return to Korea on Dec. 14.

By Carla Sunwoo [carlasunwoo@joongang.co.kr]