Dara, former member of 2NE1, recently joined Kim Jae Joong's YouTube talk show 'Jaefriends' to discuss how things used to be between SM and YG artists.

Kim Jae Joong started by explaining their connection: "We met through a movie, but YG and SM artists didn't interact much. It was a bit awkward when we crossed paths."

Dara chimed in, saying, "We couldn't really call each other friends. When we saw each other, we weren't sure if we should say hello."

Kim Jae Joong pointed out, "There was a kind of territorial rivalry between YG and SM. We were like, 'We're YG,' and 'We're SM!' There are some interesting stories from those times that we can't share on YouTube."

Dara added, "I'm close to many SM artists now, but back then, we couldn't get too close. We were always competing for the top spot. Girls' Generation was often our rival."

They also revealed some envy for each other's entertainment agencies. Kim Jae Joong said, "We admired YG's approach to music. We wanted to do music like YG did."

On the other hand, Dara shared, "We were envious of SM too. I was friends with Super Junior's Donghae, and he'd say, 'We have too many comebacks.' We'd reply, 'We wish we had that many comebacks.' Our agencies operated differently."

Dara also talked about the pressure they felt when compared to SM artists. She explained, "We won many awards at the time, but we couldn't even shed tears. People scolded us, saying, 'Why don't you cry like those SM artists?' We'd cry after leaving the stage."

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A new K-Pop group, Nouera, is about to take the spotlight, and fans are buzzing with excitement!

On December 12th, Nouera Entertainment unveiled the second set of individual concept photos for their upcoming pre-release digital single Infinity (無限大).

The new photos were shared on Nouera's official SNS, showcasing the stylish and fresh looks of members Yuseob, Miraku, and Junpyo. Their unique and powerful vibes have left fans eager for what's to come, with the group's awakening energy hinting at a bright future.

This follows the release of photos for Pan, Lin, Kihyun, and Hyunjun, completing the individual concept photo lineup. With only the group shots left to be revealed, anticipation is building for the special synergy the members will bring together.

The highly anticipated single Infinity (無限大) is set to drop at 6 PM on December 14th, kicking off Nouera's journey before their official debut. The group will also perform live for the first time at the 2024 Music Bank Global Festival in Japan on December 15th in Fukuoka, making it a monumental moment for fans worldwide.

Nouera’s name is a fusion of the French word "Nouer" (to connect) and "Era," symbolizing their mission to create a musical world that connects the new era of K-Pop. Official debut plans are set for the first half of 2025.

Recently, Nouera received a major spotlight when they were invited to the Billboard No. 1s Party in Los Angeles, where they were named one of Billboard and Billboard Korea’s "2025 K-Pop Rookies." This recognition has firmly placed Nouera in the spotlight, and the countdown to their rise has begun!

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