"I Don't Care" is a song by South Korean girl group 2NE1 from their eponymous debut extended play, 2NE1 (2009). Written and produced by Teddy Park and Kush, the song was released as the EP's second lead single on July 1, 2009, by YG Entertainment. The track has been characterized as a mid-tempo dance-pop track that incorporates elements of R&B and reggae, and was noted for marking a stylistic shift in the group's mainly previous hip-hop image. Lyrically, the song revolves around the theme of independence after a break up.
"I Don’t Care" was a commercial success following its release, becoming the best-selling single of 2009 on various South Korean networks. It won Song of the Year at the MAMA Awards and Cyworld Digital Music Awards for 2009 and was named one of the most loved songs in the history of Bugs! in 2020. The accompanying music video for the single was directed by Cha Eun-taek and was filmed over the course of two days in late June. It features the members visiting a fortune teller who then freezes time in order to play sabotage on their cheating boyfriends.
To promote the single, 2NE1 appeared on various music programs in South Korea throughout the months of July and August 2009. Two remix versions of the song were recorded and released to digital outlets: a reggae mix and a remix by Son Baek-young. A Japanese version of the track was later added to the group's debut Japanese studio-album, titled Collection (2012).
Background and release
On June 25, 2009, YG Entertainment announced that a new single, titled "I Don't Care", would be released on July 1, with the group's debut mini-album set to be released soon thereafter on July 8. The single follows the first lead single "Fire", which was released in May and was met with positive critical and commercial reception. The song marked a change in the group's image, as "Fire" showcased a stronger and edgier feel; in contrast, YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun-suk stated that "I Don't Care" would enable the group to display a softer and more feminine image. In an interview, member CL stated that the song was "a warning message for the men and advice for the women". "I Don't Care" was then officially released for digital download and streaming on July 1, 2009, as the second single off of the mini-album.
Two remixes of "I Don't Care" were also recorded and made available for digital download, an unplugged reggae version mix that was released on September 3, 2009, and a remix by former 1TYM rapper Song Baek-kyoung which was released on September 28. The reggae mix was a more laid-back and reggae-tinged version of the song. It was arranged by Sunwoo Jung-ah, who also arranged and composed 2NE1's later single It Hurts (Slow), and features instruments such as wah wah guitars, horns, and timbales. The reggae mix was later added to the group's debut studio album To Anyone (2010). A Japanese-language version of the track was additionally recorded and included as part of the group's first Japanese studio album titled Collection, which was released by YGEX on March 28, 2012.
On December 21, 2020, more than 11 years after its release, the song trended in the Philippines following a domestic incident that occurred a day earlier.
Music and lyrics
The release of "I Don't Care" marked a switch in image for the group, in comparison to 2NE1's debut single "Fire" earlier in the year, which carried a bold and fierce concept. According to YG Entertainment, "I Don't Care" was intended to possess a concept that focused on enhancing femininity rather than intensity, simultaneously allowing for a more "public friendly" image.
Musically, the song has been characterized as a medium-tempo pop track, containing a somewhat softer melody as compared to the group's debut single, in addition to incorporating influences of R&B and reggae. Written in the key signature of C♯ major, the song contains a tempo of 132 beats per minute. The integration of reggae was made due to the perception that South Korea had previously been a wasteland for the reggae music market, since reggae is strongly associated with summer music around the world. It was reported that through "Fire", it showed that reggae could work well in Korea, and "I Don't Care" aimed to further advance reggae-like styles into the country's mainstream music scene. Lyrically, the songwriting revolves around the themes of independence and confidence. It depicts the emotions of someone feeling the sense of renewal after initializing a break up with their troubled lover.