2000 Won, a male duo who competed on “K-pop Star 2,” has formally debuted in the local music scene with its first EP “2000 Won 1st Mini Album,” featuring strong vocals and rapping.

The up-and-coming Kim Hyo-bin and Kim Il-do kicked off their first live performance with the lead single “Don’t Like Seoul Anymore” in a showcase at KT Olleh Square in Seoul on Friday.

The song is a sentimental track that portrays the overwhelming sense of emptiness felt after a breakup. 2,000 won passionately sings about places and things in Seoul that evoke painful memories of the past. 

“The song is essentially a frank tale of my own experience. I wrote the lyrics based on the hard times and various emotions that I felt after a breakup,” said Kim Il-do during the showcase. “I hope that many people will be able to relate to the song.”

While singing at the showcase, the Kims delivered a movie-like performance, developing a personal story with props, movements and acting that helped visualize the song’s lyrics and emotions.

Decked out in sunglasses and with dazzling hip-hop moves, 2000 Won also staged an energetic performance of the upbeat dance track “Tonight.”

“On a night like today, a good day like this, on a night that will not come back again ... I want to freeze the night,” the duo sang.

2000 Won’s new EP is the result of a collaborative effort led by head producer Choi Min-hyuk, who has worked with veteran K-pop singers including Deux, Yoo Seung-joon, Kim Bum-su, Kim Jong-guk and Ailee.

“We worked very hard on this album for the past year. I think ‘rough’ may be the word that best describes the preparation process,” said Kim Hyo-bin during the album presentation.

“Our EP deals with familiar topics and sentiments that listeners can sympathize with. Just as 2,000 won is considered a non-burdensome amount of money, I hope that our music will feel light, easy and comfortable to all listeners,” said Kim Il-do.

Kim Hyo-bin and Kim Il-do, friends since middle school, first rose to prominence as one of the top contestants on SBS’ “K-pop Star 2,” a singing competition in which contestants are judged by representatives of major music labels.

During the program, the duo said that they named themselves 2000 Won in commemoration of their first street performance in Hongdae, where they earned a mere 2,000 won ($1.90) ― 1,000 won for each of them.

2000 Won is scheduled to introduce tracks from the new EP on several local music programs in the coming weeks. The duo performed “Don’t Like Seoul Anymore” live on SBS’ flagship music program “Inkigayo” on Sunday.

By Sohn Ji-young (jiyoung.sohn@heraldcorp.com)