2NE1 To Play The U.S. For The First Time

For those not well-versed in K-pop, taking a look at the Billboard chart can be rather daunting; it’s like a parallel universe, full of groups and acts with dozens of hits but a sporadic U.S. presence, if that. The No. 1 spot right now belongs to four-member girl group 2NE1 (with members CL, Dara, Bom and Minzy): one of the highest-profile and arguably K-pop acts out there. They’re enough of a favorite among fans to help them take the title of Best New Band in the World in a voting competition by MTV Iggy and earn countless other titles like that, and they’re enough of a favorite among U.S. critics that Spin ranked them among last year’s top 20 pop albums in last year’s critics’ poll along with Girls’ Generation and that the group’s single “I Am The Best” was more people’s favorite song than the likes of, say, Frank Ocean’s “Swim Good,” Lady Gaga’s “Judas” and Nicola Roberts’ “Beat of My Drum.”

That’s a lot of accomplishments–all of which took place without any kind of U.S. tour. Starting next month, that’ll change, as they’re scheduled to play two shows in New Jersey and L.A. The tour dates and info are below, along with a couple singles to get familiar if you’re not already.

August 17: New Jersey, Prudential Center
August 24: Los Angeles, Nokia Theater