I Am the Best: Difference between revisions

"'''I Am the Best'''" ({{Korean|내가 제일 잘 나가||Naega jeil jal naga}}) is a song by South Korean girl group [[2NE1]]. [[YG Entertainment]] released the song for [[Music download|digital download]] and [[Streaming media|streaming]] as the third [[Single (music)|single]] from the group's [[2NE1 (2011 EP)|self-titled second extended play (EP)]] on June 24, 2011. Written and produced by [[Teddy Park]], "I Am the Best" is an [[electro house]] and [[electropop]] track that integrates [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] and [[Middle Eastern music|Middle Eastern]] elements through its instrumentation. It hasIts lyrics aboutcontain themes of self-confidence and narcissism.

[[Music journalism|Music journalists]] praised the production and 2NE1's performance and considered it a pioneer of the [[Korean wave]] and [[K-pop]]'s "girl crush" concept, which denotes themes of ferocity and female empowerment. Many publications ranked it among the best K-pop songs of the decade and all time. It [[List of Gaon Digital Chart number ones of 2011|peaked at number one]] on the South Korean [[Gaon Digital Chart]] and was the fourth-best-selling single of 2011 in South Korea, with more than 3.4 million downloads sold. It won [[MAMA Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] at the [[2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards]] and Best Dance & Electronic Song at the 9th [[Korean Music Awards]].

Seo Hyun-seung directed the music video for "I Am the Best", which features the members in [[glam punk]] fashion and won a [[MTV Video Music Awards Japan|MTV Video Music Award Japan]] for [[MTV Video Music Award Japan for Best New Artist|Best New Artist Video]] in 20112012. The song received renewed attention after appearing in a 2014 commercial for [[Microsoft]]'s [[Surface Pro 3]]; [[Capitol Records]] released it in the United States on December 1410, 2014. The single peaked at number 61 on the French [[SNEP|SNEP singles chart]] and made 2NE1 the first Korean group to have a number-one song on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' US [[World Digital Song Sales|World Digital Songs]] chart.

To promote girl group [[2NE1]]'s new [[Extended play|extended play (EP)]], [[YG Entertainment]] released a single every three weeks starting from April 21, 2011, to promote all six tracks from the EP.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jo |first=Beom-ja |date=April 18, 2011 |script-title=ko:2NE1, 21일 컴백..이번엔 3주마다 신곡 발표 '파격' |trans-title=2NE1, comeback on the 21st.. This time, a new song will be released every 3 weeks |url=http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2011041809041307309 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511122242/https://compass.adop.cc/RD/7790baf9-d757-48c9-91b1-a206de68d72d?over-size=null&over-size-w=null&over-size-h=null&over-zone=null&adop-zone=7790baf9-d757-48c9-91b1-a206de68d72d&type=js&loc=http%253A%2F%2Fwww.asiae.co.kr%2Fnews%2Fview.htm%253Fidxno%253D2011041809041307309&size_width=300&size_height=250&title=2NE1%252C%252021%25EC%259D%25BC%2520%25EC%25BB%25B4%25EB%25B0%25B1..%25EC%259D%25B4%25EB%25B2%2588%25EC%2597%2594%25203%25EC%25A3%25BC%25EB%25A7%2588%25EB%258B%25A4%2520%25EC%258B%25A0%25EA%25B3%25A1%2520%25EB%25B0%259C%25ED%2591%259C%2520%25ED%258C%258C%25EA%25B2%25A9%2520-%2520%25EC%2595%2584%25EC%258B%259C%25EC%2595%2584%25EA%25B2%25BD%25EC%25A0%259C&ref=& |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |website=Asia Economy |language=ko}}</ref> "Don't Cry" (a solo single by group member [[Park Bom]]) and "[[Lonely (2NE1 song)|Lonely]]" were the first two singles, and they both peaked at number one on the South Korean [[Gaon Digital Chart]].<ref>{{cite web |date=May 6, 2011 |title= |script-title=ko:박봄, 5월첫째주 가온차트 정상탈환 |trans-title=Park Bom recaptures chart summit on the first week on May |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/hotnews/gaon/view.gaon?idx=28 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526180056/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/hotnews/gaon/view.gaon?idx=28 |archivedate=May 26, 2012 |accessdate=May 6, 2011 |work=[[Gaon Chart]] |publisher= |language=Korean}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Hyo-jin |date=May 26, 2011 |title= |script-title=ko:'나가수' 빠진 가온차트 2NE1 'Lonely' 1위 |trans-title=2NE1's 'Lonely' takes first place on Gaon Chart beating 'I Am a Singer' |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/hotnews/GAON/view.gaon?idx=32 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530122156/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/hotnews/GAON/view.gaon?idx=32 |archivedate=May 30, 2012 |accessdate=May 27, 2011 |work=[[Gaon Chart]] |publisher= |language=Korean}}</ref> YG released "I Am the Best" for [[Music download|digital download]] as the third single on June 24. In a [[press release]], YG announced that it was an "intense" song combining [[electronic music]] and [[HipStreaming hop musicmedia|hip hopstreaming]], whichas appealedthe tothird youthssingle whoon wereJune part of the [[Clubbing (subculture)|clubbing culture]]24.<ref>{{citeCite web |last=JoBaek |first=WooSol-youngmi |date=June 1524, 2011 |title= |script-title=ko:2NE1, '제일잘나가내가 제일 잘나가', 24일공개 발표..방송활동동시에 병행검색어·차트 '싹쓸이' |trans-title=2NE1,'s new'I single onAm the 24th Best'The, Best'sweeps' ..search willterms resumeand broadcastingcharts activitiesat the same time as release |url=https://wwwentertain.edailynaver.co.kr/newscom/read?newsIdoid=01374326596282048117&mediaCodeNoaid=2580002152995 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/2020121905484520231004152842/https://wwwentertain.edailynaver.co.kr/newscom/read?newsIdoid=01374326596282048117&mediaCodeNoaid=2580002152995 |archive-date=DecemberOctober 194, 20202023 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |website=EdailyMy Daily |language=ko |via=[[Naver]]}}</ref> PriorIn to the releasea of CL's first studio album ''[[Alphapress (CL album)|Alpharelease]]'' in 2021, sheYG heldannounced athat liveit countdownwas eventan and"intense" playedsong severalcombining snippets[[electronic ofmusic]] unreleasedand versions[[Hip ofhop songsmusic|hip fromhop]], bothwhich herselfappealed andto 2NE1,youths andwho revealedwere thatpart "I Amof the Best" had originally featured Canadian singer [[JustinClubbing Bieber(subculture)|clubbing culture]].<ref>{{Citecite web |last=ChinJo |first=CarmenWoo-young |date=OctoberJune 2115, 20212011 |title=CL reveals |script-title=ko:2NE1's, 'I제일잘나가' Am24일 발표..방송활동 병행 |trans-title=2NE1, new single on the 24th 'The Best' was.. originallywill aresume collaborationbroadcasting with Justin Bieberactivities |url=https://www.nmeedaily.comco.kr/news/music/cl-reveals-2ne1-i-am-the-best-originally-collaboration-justin-bieber-3075749read?newsId=01374326596282048&mediaCodeNo=258 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/2022071121253320201219054845/https://www.nmeedaily.comco.kr/news/music/cl-reveals-2ne1-i-am-the-best-originally-collaboration-justin-bieber-3075749read?newsId=01374326596282048&mediaCodeNo=258 |archive-date=JulyDecember 1119, 20222020 |access-date=JulyApril 118, 20222021 |website=[[NME]]Edaily |language=en-GBko}}</ref>

The single was made available through various digital sites on June 24, with ''My Daily'' noting its "opposite vibe" compared to the group's two previously released singles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baek |first=Sol-mi |date=June 24, 2011 |title= |script-title=ko:2NE1 '내가 제일 잘나가', 공개 동시에 검색어·차트 '싹쓸이' |trans-title=2NE1's 'I Am the Best', 'sweeps' search terms and charts at the same time as release |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0002152995 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |website=My Daily |language=ko |via=[[Naver]] |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004152842/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0002152995 |url-status=live }}</ref> YG Entertainment collaborator [[Teddy Park]], who had produced most of 2NE1's past releases, wrote and produced "I Am the Best". Lee Kyung-joon [[Audio engineer|engineered]] the track, which was [[Mixing engineer|mixed]] by Jason Robert.<ref name="Tidal credits" /> The Japanese-language version of the song was first made available for download via {{ill|Recochoku|ja|レコチョク}} on July 20, 2011, and was later included in the Japanese edition of the EP (''Nolza'') on September 21 as part of the group's debut in the country.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lim |first1=Hee-yoom |date=July 8, 2011 |title= |script-title=ko:'내가 제일 잘나가'…2NE1 日시장 데뷔 |trans-title='I Am the Best'… 2NE1 debut in Japanese market |url=https://news.nate.com/view/20110708n09832 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218161429/https://news.nate.com/view/20110708n09832 |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |access-date=December 17, 2020 |website=[[The Korea Herald|The Herald Business]] |publisher= |language=ko |via=[[Nate (web portal)|Nate]]}}</ref> Prior to the release of CL's first studio album ''[[Alpha (CL album)|Alpha]]'' in 2021, she held a live countdown event and played several snippets of unreleased versions of songs from both herself and 2NE1, and revealed that "I Am the Best" had originally featured Canadian singer [[Justin Bieber]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chin |first=Carmen |date=October 21, 2021 |title=CL reveals 2NE1's 'I Am The Best' was originally a collaboration with Justin Bieber |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cl-reveals-2ne1-i-am-the-best-originally-collaboration-justin-bieber-3075749 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711212533/https://www.nme.com/news/music/cl-reveals-2ne1-i-am-the-best-originally-collaboration-justin-bieber-3075749 |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |access-date=July 11, 2022 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>{{Listen|filename=I Am the Best - 2NE1 sample.ogg|description=A 21-second sample of "I Am the Best", featuring electronic and hip-hop elements, synthesizers and chanting|title="I Am the Best" – 2NE1|format=[[Ogg]]}}

Music critics applauded the musical styles of "I Am the Best" and 2NE1's performance. While discussingDiscussing the rise of the [[Korean wave]] in November 2011, James Brooks of ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' highlighted the song and praised its energy, calling it's "show-stopping", andenergy notedand 2NE1's "manic, larger-than-life charisma".<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web |last1=Brooks |first1=James |title=To Anyone: The Rise of Korean Wave |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/article/8700-to-anyone-the-rise-of-korean-wave/ |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=November 2, 2011 |access-date=December 10, 2020 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112023012/https://pitchfork.com/features/article/8700-to-anyone-the-rise-of-korean-wave/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[Jon Caramanica]] wrote that the song was "a postcard from the moment" when [[K-pop]], which had been bound by the sound of other countries, "was beginning to embrace excess as its own style.". Caramanica called 2NE1 a powerful influence in the industry, almost "ruthlessly modern", and believed that "'I Am the Best' encapsulated its "high-grade attitude.".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Caramanica |first1=Jon |author-link=Jon Caramanica |date=February 7, 2018 |title=A K-Pop Primer for Olympic Listening (Published 2018) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/07/arts/music/k-pop-olympics-korea.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713124322/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/07/arts/music/k-pop-olympics-korea.html |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |access-date=December 17, 2020 |website=[[The New York Times]]|url-access=limited}}</ref> It was the only K-pop work to be selected by ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' featured it in their list of the 25 Best Singles of 2011; thecritic Jonathan publicationKeefe described the track as "a jaw-dropping, vibrant triumph of pure swagger and verve", and wrotecited thatit oneas ofan theexample year's best developments was the Western world discoveringof the "unmitigated joy of K-pop.".<ref name="slant magazine">{{cite web |date=December 13, 2011 |title=The 25 Best Singles of 2011 |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/the-25-best-singles-of-2011/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227093116/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/the-25-best-singles-of-2011/ |archive-date=February 27, 2020 |access-date=January 28, 2021 |website=[[Slant Magazine]]}}</ref>

"I Am the Best" was a commercial success in South Korea, entering the [[Gaon Digital Chart]] at number four for the week ending June 25, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=27&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week |script-title=ko:2011년 27주차 Digital Chart |publisher=[[Circle Chart|Gaon Chart]] |access-date=February 4, 2015 |language=ko |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204070721/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=27&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week |archive-date=February 4, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In only one day of tracking, the song received 632,923 streams and achieved 414,580 units in digital sales, and was ranked as the week's sixth best-selling song.<ref>{{cite web |title=2011년 27주차 Download Chart |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=27&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week |publisher=[[Circle Chart|Gaon Chart]] |access-date=May 13, 2021 |language=ko |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052153/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=27&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2011년 27주차 Streaming Chart |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1040&targetTime=27&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week |publisher=[[Circle Chart|Gaon Chart]] |access-date=May 13, 2021 |language=ko |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513035438/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1040&targetTime=27&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week |url-status=live }}</ref> The following week, "I Am the Best" rose three positions to the number one spot on the chart, becoming the group's fourth number one single.<ref name="number1">{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=28&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week |script-title=ko:2011년 28주차 Digital Chart |publisher=[[Circle Chart|Gaon Chart]] |access-date=February 4, 2015 |language=ko |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204070924/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=28&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week |archive-date=February 4, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The song sold an additional 735,518 digital units and received 2,181,326 streams, ranking at number one on both the component download and streaming charts.<ref>{{cite web |title=2011년 28주차 Download Chart |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=28&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week |publisher=[[Circle Chart|Gaon Chart]] |access-date=May 13, 2021 |language=ko |archive-date=July 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702204339/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=28&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2011년 28주차 Streaming Chart |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1040&targetTime=28&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week |publisher=[[Circle Chart|Gaon Chart]] |access-date=May 13, 2021 |language=ko |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513035432/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1040&targetTime=28&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week |url-status=live }}</ref> In its third charting week, the song descended eight positions down to number nine, with ''[[Infinite Challenge]]'' collaboration track "Having an Affair" by GG ([[Park Myung-soo]] & [[G-Dragon]]) and Bom occupying number one.<ref>{{cite web |title=2011년 29주차 Digital Chart |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=29&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week |publisher=[[Circle Chart|Gaon Chart]] |access-date=April 7, 2021 |language=ko |archive-date=March 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150309234220/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=29&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week |url-status=live }}</ref> By the end of 2011, the song had accumulated a total of 3.47 million units in digital sales, and ranked as the fourth best-selling single of the year in South Korea.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/chart/download.php?f_chart_kind_cd=T&nationGbn=&f_month=3&f_year=2011&f_type=year |title=2011년 Download Chart |publisher=[[Gaon Music Chart|Gaon Chart]] |access-date=January 29, 2015 |language=ko |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716085829/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/chart/download.php?f_chart_kind_cd=T&nationGbn=&f_month=3&f_year=2011&f_type=year |archive-date=July 16, 2014}}</ref> Factoring in digital sales, streams and background music downloads, "I Am the Best" was ranked as the seventh best performing song in the country overall on the year-end Gaon Digital Chart for 2011, with the EP's other singles "Lonely" and "Don't Cry" ranking at number four and five, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=2011년 Digital Chart |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=2011&hitYear=2011&termGbn=year&year_time=3 |publisher=[[Circle Chart|Gaon Chart]] |access-date=April 7, 2021 |language=ko |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511122240/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=2011&hitYear=2011&termGbn=year&year_time=3 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Two years after its release, ''Billboard'' listed "I Am the Best" as the sixth best-selling K-pop song in the United States during 2013.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|date=December 17, 2013|title=2013's Biggest-Selling K-Pop Songs in America: Psy, Girls' Generation, 2NE1 & More|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/5839716/2013s-biggest-selling-k-pop-songs-in-america-psy-girls-generation|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316003449/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/5839716/2013s-biggest-selling-k-pop-songs-in-america-psy-girls-generation|archive-date=March 16, 2015|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> The following year, [[Microsoft]] featured the track in their [[Surface Pro 3]] laptop commercial "Head to Head", which was broadcast from August 2014 onwards.<ref name="billboard august 2014">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/6214538/microsoft-commercial-2ne1-i-am-the-best-k-pop-ad-apple|first=Jeff|last=Benjamin|title=Watch Microsoft Brilliantly Shade Apple With 2NE1's K-Pop Hit in New Ad|date=August 13, 2014|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 9, 2014|archive-date=November 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104223252/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/6214538/microsoft-commercial-2ne1-i-am-the-best-k-pop-ad-apple|url-status=live}}</ref> It further increased exposure to the song, which reached number one in the US on ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[World Digital Song Sales|World Digital Songs]] chart. It was the first K-pop song to achieve the feat, and the fourth Korean song to do so overall; the first three were Psy's singles, "[[Gangnam Style]]" (2012), "[[Gentleman (Psy song)|Gentleman]]" (2013) and "[[Hangover (Psy song)|Hangover]]" (2014).<ref>{{cite web |title=Microsoft Ad Helps 2NE1 Top World Digital Songs Chart |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/10/08/2014100801526.html |website=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |date=October 8, 2014 |access-date=December 17, 2020 |archive-date=May 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511033407/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/10/08/2014100801526.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It sold 6,000 copies during the week ending October 10, 2014, according to [[Nielsen SoundScan]], becoming the group's best sales week in the US.<ref name="bb">{{cite magazine |last=Benjamin |first=Jeff |date=October 20, 2014 |title=2NE1's K-Pop Hit 'I Am the Best' Gains Spins at U.S. Radio Stations |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/6289223/2ne1-i-am-the-best-us-radio-stations |url-status=live |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513095131/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/6289223/2ne1-i-am-the-best-us-radio-stations |archive-date=May 13, 2016 |access-date=May 8, 2016|url-access=subscription}}</ref> As of 2020, the song held the distinction of being the fifth-longest-charting single on the World Digital Songs chart, tied with [[BTS]]' "[[Mic Drop (song)|Mic Drop]]" (2017).<ref>{{cite web |title=BTS milestone: Boy group caught up with 2NE1 to rank as the fifth-longest-charting single |url=https://www.econotimes.com/BTS-milestone-Boy-group-caught-up-with-2NE1-to-rank-as-the-fifth-longest-charting-single-1579275 |website=EconoTimes |date=April 7, 2020 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218161405/https://www.econotimes.com/BTS-milestone-Boy-group-caught-up-with-2NE1-to-rank-as-the-fifth-longest-charting-single-1579275 |url-status=live }}</ref> The song received airplay from radio stations in New York and Boston without officially being released to the airplay market, and attracted interest from some for being one of the few Korean-language songs to be played on American radios.<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine|last1=Benjamin|first1=Jeff|date=October 6, 2014 |title=2NE1's 'I Am the Best' Tops World Digital Songs Chart After Big Sales Week|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/6274183/2ne1-i-am-the-best-world-digital-songs-chart-sales-week|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=October 7, 2014|archive-date=October 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007083433/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/6274183/2ne1-i-am-the-best-world-digital-songs-chart-sales-week|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bb" />

The first preview of the music video for "I Am the Best"—the song's first 10 seconds sung by group leader [[CL (rapper)|CL]]—was released on June 19, 2011. The preview was posted on YG Life and [[YouTube]] along with the song's cover art. [[YG Entertainment]] said that it would release an additional 10-second snippet of the track each day until the release date of the single on June 24.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kwon |first=Soo-bin |date=June 20, 2011 |script-title=ko:2NE1 '내가 제일 잘나가' 음원 10초 선공개 |trans-title=2NE1 'I'm the Best' 10 second pre-release |url=https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201106200938111002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807013013/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201106200938111002 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |access-date=December 11, 2020 |website=Newsen |language=ko}}</ref> After a three-day delay due to an editing issue, the song's music video premiered on 2NE1's YouTube channel on June 27.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Park |first1=Sae-jin |date=October 6, 2014 |title=K-pop girl group 2NE1's 'I Am the Best' draws more than 100 million views on YouTube |url=http://eng.ajunews.com/view/20141006170219826 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526083702/http://eng.ajunews.com/view/20141006170219826 |archive-date=May 26, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2020 |website=[[Aju Business Daily]] |publisher= |quote=...since its release on June 27, 2011.}}</ref> It was directed by Seo Hyun-seung, who had previously directed the music videos for 2NE1's "Fire" (2009), "[[Try to Follow Me]]" (2010) and "[[Can't Nobody (2NE1 song)|Can't Nobody]]" (2010).<ref name="osen mv 2">{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Myung-joo |date=July 1, 2011 |title= |script-title=ko:2NE1 '내가 제일 잘 나가', 뮤비도 '제일 잘' 나가 |trans-title=2NE1 'I Am the Best', the music video is also 'the best' |url=http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1107010242 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115025418/http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1107010242 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |access-date=December 11, 2020 |website=Osen |publisher= |language=ko}}</ref> The choreography practice video was uploaded to the group's channel on July 1 and featured the group in their practice studio wearing [[Adidas]] training outfits.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jo |first1=Woo-young |date=July 1, 2011 |title= |script-title=ko:2NE1, '내가 제일 잘나가' 안무 연습영상 공개 |trans-title=2NE1, 'I Am the Best' choreography practice video released |url=https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=01134886596310256&mediaCodeNo=258 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511122232/https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=01134886596310256&mediaCodeNo=258 |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |website=Edaily |language=ko}}</ref>{{sfn|Neves|Sarkar|2017}} A Japanese version of the music video was additionally uploaded later that month and was included in the [[DVD]] of ''Nolza'' in September.<ref>{{cite web |title=Discography {{!}} 2NE1(トゥエニィワン) Japan official website |url=https://2ne1.jp/discography/detail.php?id=1002177 |website=2NE1 Japan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722162200/https://2ne1.jp/discography/detail.php?id=1002177 |archive-date=July 22, 2014}}</ref>

The music video features a range of elaborate sets and props such as pyramids, diamonds, and globe-shaped chairs.<ref name="osen mv 1">{{cite web |last1=Choi |first1=Na-young |date=June 28, 2011 |title= |script-title=ko:2NE1, 만화서 튀어나온 듯..'파격+강렬' 뮤비 공개 |trans-title=2NE1 looks like they came out of a comic book... 'Extraordinary + Intense' MV released |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0002225561 |access-date=December 31, 2020 |website=Osen |language=ko |via=[[Naver]] |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004152842/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0002225561 |url-status=live }}</ref> The visual incorporates [[glam punk]] fashion and street style ensembles designed by [[Sophie Hulme]], Gemma Slack, [[Carri Munden|Cassette Playa]] and [[Gareth Pugh]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Josephs|first=Matthew|date=January 3, 2013|title=Video Stars: 2NE1 'I Am the Best'|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/fashion/video-stars-2ne1-i-am-the-best|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash Magazine]]|language=en|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827195700/https://www.clashmusic.com/fashion/video-stars-2ne1-i-am-the-best|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Anderson|2020|pp=72}} It features CL dressed as a wrestler (complete with a sparkling [[WWE]] championship belt), and the members in futuristic and [[Punk subculture|punk]]-inspired attire, metal-studded leather pieces, and unconventional hairstyles; for example, CL's resembles a bull’s horn while [[Sandara Park|Dara]]'s resembles that of the ''[[Dragon Ball]]'' character [[Vegeta]].<ref name="osen mv 1" /><ref>{{cite web |date=July 11, 2011 |title= |script-title=ko:씨엘 머리는 황소뿔 '산다라박 베지터머리와 용호상박' |trans-title=CL's hair is a bull's horn, 'Sandara Park vegetable head and dragon tiger head' |url=http://www.busan.com/view/busan/view.php?code=20110711000015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511122252/https://compass.adop.cc/RE/1292d84f-a057-452f-9f37-45645f43e09f?over-size=null&over-size-w=null&over-size-h=null&over-zone=null&adop-zone=1292d84f-a057-452f-9f37-45645f43e09f&type=re&loc=http%253A%2F%2Fwww.busan.com%2Fview%2Fbusan%2Fview.php%253Fcode%253D20110711000015&rnd=&percentage=false&size_width=1&size_height=1& |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2020 |website=[[Busan Ilbo]] |publisher= |language=ko}}</ref> They are seen ascending stairs during the third chorus while breaking platinum records with baseball bats, seemingly indicating the widening of boundaries of the genre.<ref name="kpop phenoms" /> The final scene features the members with [[AK-47|AK-47s]]s, destroying a pyramid with a new structure emerging with "2NE1" reflecting in the light.

On South Korean [[Music programs of South Korea|music programs]], "I Am the Best" received first place trophies on the July 17 broadcast of ''[[Inkigayo]]'' and on the August 5, 2011, broadcast of ''[[Music Bank (TV series)|Music Bank]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Moon |first=Wan-sik |date=July 17, 2011 |script-title=ko:2NE1, '내가 제일 잘나가'로 '인가' 1위 |trans-title=2NE1 ranked first with "I Am the Best" |url=https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2011071717085280166 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231003933/https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2011071717085280166 |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |access-date=December 30, 2020 |work=Star News |language=ko}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jeon |first=A-ram |date=August 5, 2011 |script-title=ko:'뮤직뱅크' 2NE1, 불참에도 '내가 제일 잘 나가'로 1위 차지 |trans-title='Music Bank' 2NE1 won first place with "I Am the Best" despite absence. |url=http://tvdaily.asiae.co.kr/read.php3?aid=1312541451187456019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231012120/http://tvdaily.asiae.co.kr/read.php3?aid=1312541451187456019 |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |access-date=December 30, 2020 |work=TV Daily |language=ko}}</ref> The song's success led it to be nominated for various awards at domestic award shows; at the [[2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards]] held in [[Singapore]], "I Am the Best" was named the [[MAMA Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] and made 2NE1 the first group to win the award twice, following their win for "[[I Don't Care (2NE1 song)|I Don't Care]]" in [[2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards|2009]].<ref>{{cite web |date=September 9, 2014 |title=Winners' list of 2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards |url=https://www.msn.com/en-sg/news/other/winners%E2%80%99-list-of-2011-mnet-asian-music-awards/ar-BB4FEJJ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802205308/https://www.msn.com/en-sg/news/other/winners%E2%80%99-list-of-2011-mnet-asian-music-awards/ar-BB4FEJJ |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |access-date=December 11, 2020 |publisher=[[MSN]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards Winners {{!}} 2009 MAMA |url=https://www.mwave.me/en/mama/history/2009/winner/122 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125013941/https://www.mwave.me/en/mama/history/2009/winner/122 |archive-date=November 25, 2021 |access-date=November 25, 2021 |website= |publisher=Mwave |language=en}}</ref> It also received nominations for [[MAMA Award for Best Dance Performance|Best Dance Performance – Female Group]] at the ceremony<ref>{{cite web |date=October 24, 2011 |title=List of nominees announced for MNET Asian Music Awards in Singapore |url=https://sgmagazine.com/events/news/5000-tickets-made-available-2011-mnet-asian-music-awards-singapore |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218161410/https://sgmagazine.com/events/news/5000-tickets-made-available-2011-mnet-asian-music-awards-singapore |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |access-date=December 11, 2020 |website=SG Magazine}}</ref> and [[Melon Music Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] at the [[2011 Melon Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Kim |first=Eun-gu |date=November 24, 2011 |title= |script-title=ko:[2011 MMA]아이유 베스트송상 수상 '좋은 날~' |trans-title=[2011 MMA] IU wins Best Song Award for 'Good Day~' |url=https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=01679366596449000&mediaCodeNo=258 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511122302/https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=01679366596449000&mediaCodeNo=258 |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=March 16, 2021 |website=Edaily |language=ko}}</ref> It was awarded at the YouTube K-pop Awards held at Google Korea for being the one of the top three most popular music videos in South Korea during 2011.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Hye-rin |date=November 22, 2011 |script-title=ko:슈주-2NE1-현아, 유튜브 K-pop 어워즈 수상 |trans-title=Super Junior-2NE1-Hyuna wins at YouTube K-pop Awards |url=https://news.nate.com/view/20111122n12974?mid=e0101 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425190613/https://news.nate.com/view/20111122n12974?mid=e0101 |archive-date=April 25, 2021 |access-date=April 25, 2021 |website=Osen |language=ko |via=[[Nate (web portal)|Nate]]}}</ref>

At the 9th [[Korean Music Awards]] in February 2012, "I Am the Best" was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Dance & Electronic Song, winning the latter prize.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 Song of the Year Nominations – I Am the Best |url=https://koreanmusicawards.com/project/2ne1-%EB%82%B4%EA%B0%80-%EC%A0%9C%EC%9D%BC-%EC%9E%98-%EB%82%98%EA%B0%80/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607100406/https://koreanmusicawards.com/project/2ne1-%EB%82%B4%EA%B0%80-%EC%A0%9C%EC%9D%BC-%EC%9E%98-%EB%82%98%EA%B0%80/ |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=[[Korean Music Awards]] |language=ko-KR}}</ref> It received the [[MTV Video Music Award Japan for Best New Artist|Best New Artist Video]] award at the [[2012 MTV Video Music Awards Japan]] held in [[Chiba (city)|Chiba]], winning against artists such as [[Kyary Pamyu Pamyu]] and [[LMFAO]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Sunwoo |first=Carla |date=June 25, 2012 |title=2NE1 wins Best New Artist at VMAs |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2012/06/25/etc/2NE1-wins-Best-New-Artist-at-VMAs/2955047.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027175716/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2012/06/25/etc/2NE1-wins-Best-New-Artist-at-VMAs/2955047.html |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |access-date=October 15, 2021 |website=[[JoongAng Ilbo|Korea JoongAng Daily]] |language=en}}</ref> It was also nominated for 50 Best Works of 2011 at the [[Space Shower Music Awards]] in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 5, 2012 |script-title=ja:スペースシャワーTV「Music Video Awards」、バンプ・ブラフ・アジカンなど50作品がノミネート |url=https://rockinon.com/news/detail/63613 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004152842/https://rockinon.com/news/detail/63613 |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |access-date=September 20, 2023 |website=[[Rockin'On Japan]] |language=ja}}</ref>

2NE1 premiered "I Am the Best" on television with their first performance on ''Inkigayo'' on June 26, 2011,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baek |first=Sol-mi |date=June 26, 2011 |title= |script-title=ko:'첫무대' 2NE1, 노래+머리+의상으로 무대 압도…'인기가요' 컴백 |trans-title='First Stage' 2NE1 dominates the stage with their song + hair + costume ... 'Inkigayo' comeback |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0002153414 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |website=My Daily |language=ko |via=[[Naver]] |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004152845/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0002153414 |url-status=live }}</ref> following up with their first performance on ''[[Show! Music Core]]'' on July 2.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yang |first1=Ja-young |date=July 2, 2011 |title= |script-title=ko:'음악중심' 투애니원, 노는 언니 포스 물씬~ '내가 제일 잘 나가~' |trans-title='Music Core' 2NE1, playing with force~ 'I Am the Best~' |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=015&aid=0002494382 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |website=Hankyung[[The Korea Economic Daily]] |via=[[Naver]] |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011072050/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=015&aid=0002494382 |url-status=live }}</ref> After the release of the choreography practice video, the group announced a dance contest for the song on July 8, where 2NE1 and their choreographers would choose the four best submissions to win exclusive concert tickets for their upcoming [[Nolza tour]] in Seoul, [[Adidas Originals]] merchandise, and 2NE1 stage attire.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 11, 2011 |title=2NE1 'I Am The Best' Official Video and Dance Cover Contest |url=http://theturnmag.com/2011/07/2ne1-i-am-the-best”-official-video-and-dance-cover-contest/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712180815/http://theturnmag.com/2011/07/2ne1-i-am-the-best%E2%80%9D-official-video-and-dance-cover-contest/ |archive-date=July 12, 2011 |access-date=January 24, 2014 |work=The Turn Magazine |location=}}</ref> The winner was L.Y.N.T., a female dance troupe from Vietnam.{{sfn|Lee|Nornes|2015|p=87}} In August, 2NE1 embarked on their Nolza tour—the group's first headlining tour—and included the song in its [[set list]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Baek |first=Ji-eun |date=August 28, 2011 |title= |script-title=ko:2NE1, 첫 단독콘 대성황! '이것이 2NE1이다' |trans-title=2NE1’s first solo concert was a huge success! 'This is 2NE1' |url=https://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=201108280100236900020406&servicedate=20110828 |access-date=April 7, 2021 |website=[[Sports Chosun]] |language=ko |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004152842/https://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=201108280100236900020406&servicedate=20110828 |url-status=live }}</ref> The group performed "Lonely" and "I Am the Best" at the 2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards in Singapore on November 29, 2011, where they sported black outfits with gold and silver ornaments.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 29, 2011 |script-title=ko:'2011 MAMA' 2NE1, 파워풀한 무대 '댄싱머신 씨엘+공민지' 눈길 |trans-title='2011 MAMA' 2NE1, powerful and eye-catching stage with 'dancing machines CL + Gong Minzy' |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=213&aid=0000159291 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |website=TV Report |via=[[Naver]] |language=ko |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011072051/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=213&aid=0000159291 |url-status=live }}</ref> Their stage received the ceremony's highest viewership levels, garnering an audience rating of 5.56 percent.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jang|first1=Yeon-joo|date=December 2, 2011|script-title=ko:2011 MAMA, 가장 많이 본 공연은 2NE1…최고 시청률 5.56%|trans-title=2011 MAMA, 2NE1's stage is the most watched performance … with the highest viewership rating of 5.56%|url=http://news.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20111202000619&md=20120317053048_BL|website=[[The Korea Herald|The Herald Business]]|language=ko|access-date=October 15, 2021|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524235711/http://news.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20111202000619&md=20120317053048_BL|url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, they reprised the song at the [[MTV]] Iggy Best New Band in the World Concert at [[Times Square]]'s [[PlayStation Theater|Best Buy Theater]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Noh|first=LeAnn|date=December 13, 2011|title=2NE1 named MTV Iggy's Best New Band|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2021/10/719_100702.html|access-date=October 15, 2021|website=[[The Korea Times]]|language=en|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102171035/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2021/10/719_100702.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and at the 2011 ''[[SBS Gayo Daejeon]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kim|first=Hye-mi|date=December 30, 2011|script-title=ko:'SBS 가요대전' 2NE1, 화려한 의상과 포퍼먼스로 무대 장악|trans-title='SBS Gayo Daejun' 2NE1 dominates the stage with colorful costumes and performances|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0000104632|website=Xports News|language=ko|via=[[Naver]]|access-date=October 15, 2021|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004152844/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0000104632|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 23, 2012, 2NE1 performed the song along with "[[Scream (2NE1 song)|Scream]]" at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards Japan.<ref name=":0" /> During the concerts of their [[New Evolution Global Tour]], which they embarked on the following month, "I Am the Best" was used as the opening number.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cho |first=Ji-young |date=July 29, 2012 |title= |script-title=ko:월드스타 2NE1, 2만 블랙잭과 함께한 광란의 2시간(종합) |trans-title=World Star 2NE1, 2 hours of madness with 20,000 Blackjacks (total) |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=213&aid=0000230863 |access-date=April 7, 2021 |website=TV Report |language=ko |via=[[Naver]] |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816012903/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=213&aid=0000230863 |url-status=live }}</ref> The group made a performance with the song at the K-Pop Collection in [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] on October 18,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nam |first=Min |date=October 23, 2012 |title= |script-title=ko:2NE1 일본팬 인기몰이…'내가 제일 잘나가' |trans-title=2NE1's popularity among Japanese fans...'I Am the Best' |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0002352465 |access-date=October 15, 2021 |website=[[Herald Pop]] |language=ko |via=[[Naver]] |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004152843/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0002352465 |url-status=live }}</ref> and at the SBS K-Pop Super Concert in California on November 10.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Jung-ah |date=November 13, 2012 |title= |script-title=ko:'SBS 슈퍼 콘서트', 美서 성황리에 마쳐 '역시 K-POP' |trans-title='SBS Super Concert', successfully completed in the US 'K-pop as expected' |url=https://ent.sbs.co.kr/news/article.do?article_id=E10001541106&plink=ORI&cooper=NAVER |access-date=October 15, 2021 |website=[[Seoul Broadcasting System|SBS Entertainment]] |language=ko |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308110234/https://ent.sbs.co.kr/news/article.do?article_id=E10001541106&plink=ORI&cooper=NAVER |url-status=live }}</ref> For their 2014 [[All or Nothing World Tour]], the group sang the track while sitting astride motorbikes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leung |first1=Melanie |date=November 14, 2018 |title=2NE1 bring the wow to Macau [Review] |url=https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/entertainment/music/article/3058609/2ne1-bring-wow-macau-review |access-date=October 15, 2021 |website=Young Post |publisher=[[South China Morning Post]] |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627055703/https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/entertainment/music/article/3058609/2ne1-bring-wow-macau-review |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following a year's hiatus on December 2, 2015, 2NE1 gave a surprise performance at the [[2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards]] in Hong Kong. After CL's solo performance, the rest of the group unexpectedly appeared and reunited to perform "Fire" and "I Am the Best".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Omega |first=Jan |date=November 25, 2016 |title=2NE1: YG Entertainment K-Pop Girl Group Confirmed To Disband, CL And Dara Re-Signed To Label As Soloists |url=https://news.yahoo.com/2ne1-yg-entertainment-k-pop-144735160.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013215720/https://news.yahoo.com/2ne1-yg-entertainment-k-pop-144735160.html |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |access-date=October 13, 2023 |website= |publisher=[[Yahoo! News]] |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Fuse (TV channel)|Fuse TV]] named the reunion as one of the best performances of the year, and was only one of the two non-Western acts to have been mentioned by the media outlet.<ref>{{cite web |title=Beyoncé, 2NE1, Madonna, & More: Amazing Performances of 2015 |url=https://www.fuse.tv/galleries/2015/12/best-of-2015-amazing-performances-photos |website=[[Fuse (TV channel)|Fuse]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610231832/https://www.fuse.tv/galleries/2015/12/best-of-2015-amazing-performances-photos |archive-date=June 10, 2020 |language=en |date=December 18, 2015|url-status=dead }}</ref> On February 25, 2018, CL co-headlined the [[2018 Winter Olympics closing ceremony]] with [[Exo (group)|Exo]] and performed parts of the song; her audience included South Korean president [[Moon Jae-in]], First Lady [[Kim Jung-sook]], and [[Ivanka Trump]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8219143/olympics-closing-ceremony-cl-exo-performance-video|title=K-Pop Stars CL & EXO Impress at Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony|first=Tamar|last=Herman|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=February 25, 2018|access-date=February 26, 2018|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307184554/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8219143/olympics-closing-ceremony-cl-exo-performance-video|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Yun |first1=Suh-young |title=Ivanka Trump's 'incredible' encounter with CL, EXO |url=httphttps://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/04/690_244791.html |website=[[The Korea Times]] |access-date=October 15, 2021 |language=en |date=February 26, 2018 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023194054/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/04/690_244791.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At the games, figure skaters [[Kim Kyu-eun]] and [[Alex Kam]] featured the track in their routine for the figure skating exhibition gala.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Herman|first=Tamar|date=February 24, 2018|title=Olympic Figure Skating Exhibition Gala Spotlights K-Pop With Performances to BIGBANG, BTS, Red Velvet & 2NE1|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8218319/olympics-figure-skating-exhibition-gala-songs-bigbang-bts-red-velvet-2ne1/|access-date=October 15, 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|language=en|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019193734/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8218319/olympics-figure-skating-exhibition-gala-songs-bigbang-bts-red-velvet-2ne1/|url-status=live}}</ref> In July of that year, the Olympic's YouTube channel ranked CL's performance the eighth-best Olympic live music performance of all time.<ref>{{cite AV media|date=July 27, 2018|title=Top 10 Olympic Live Music Performances of All Time {{!}} Top Moments|medium=Online video|language=en|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0lijlzCNfg&ab_channel=OlympicsOlympics|access-date=June 7, 2021|publisher=[[Olympic Games|Olympics]]|via=YouTube|archive-date=OctoberJune 127, 20232021|archive-url=https://ghostarchiveweb.archive.org/varchiveweb/20210607163903/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0lijlzCNfg&ab_channel=OlympicsOlympics|url-status=livebot: unknown}}</ref>

"I Am the Best" has appeared in various television series in South Korea and abroad, including in the first episode of the 2018 drama series ''[[Something in the Rain]]'' (when [[Jung Hae-in]]'s character watches [[Son Ye-jin]] casually dancing to the song).<ref>{{cite web |last=Pham |first=Hanh |date=April 1, 2018 |title=Viewers went crazy because Son Ye Jin danced 2NE1's hit 'I'm The Best' in front of young Jung Hae In |url=https://saostar.vn/dien-anh/nguoi-xem-phat-cuong-vi-son-ye-jin-nhay-hit-im-the-best-cua-2ne1-truoc-mat-trai-tre-jung-hae-in-2499578.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218161407/https://saostar.vn/dien-anh/nguoi-xem-phat-cuong-vi-son-ye-jin-nhay-hit-im-the-best-cua-2ne1-truoc-mat-trai-tre-jung-hae-in-2499578.html |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |access-date=December 17, 2020 |website=Saostar |language=vi}}</ref> It was featured in [[So You Think You Can Dance (American season 10)#Week 8 (August 20, 2013)|season 10]] of the American reality series ''[[So You Think You Can Dance (American TV series)|So You Think You Can Dance]]'', when [[Jenna Johnson (dancer)|Jenna Johnson]] dances with [[Mark Kanemura]] in a routine choreographed by Kanemura.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Barrett |first=Annie |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/08/20/sytycd-results-two-eliminated-from-top-8-are/ |title='SYTYCD' results: Two eliminated from Top 8 are... &#124; PopWatch |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=August 20, 2013 |access-date=January 24, 2014 |archive-date=October 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003072939/http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/08/20/sytycd-results-two-eliminated-from-top-8-are/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In March 2017, the song was used in [[The Magicians (American TV series)|''The Magicians'']] episode "Plan B", where one of the magicians (played by [[Hale Appleman]]) set off one of his magical objects to induce his targets into a dance trance.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ong |first1=Jasmine |date=April 5, 2019 |title=8 K-pop Easter Eggs You May Have Missed In American TV Shows |url=https://teenage.com.sg/entertainment/k-pop-easter-eggs-american-tv/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608055619/https://teenage.com.sg/entertainment/k-pop-easter-eggs-american-tv/ |archive-date=June 8, 2021 |access-date=June 8, 2021 |website=Teenage Magazine |language=en}}</ref> In 2019, it was heard in episode 5 of the drama ''[[Welcome 2 Life]]'' (with [[Rain (entertainer)|Rain]]'s character referencing the song's title)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Joon-hyeon |date=August 16, 2019 |title='웰컴2라이프', 소름유발 화면전환부터 짙은 여운 남긴 절규오열까지…명장면 6 |trans-title='Welcome 2 Life', from a goose-inducing screen change to a scream that leaves a deep lingering ... 6 famous scenes |url=https://www.hankyung.com/entertainment/article/201908167964I |access-date=November 9, 2022 |website=Hankyung[[The Korea Economic Daily]] |language=ko |archive-date=November 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112024311/https://www.hankyung.com/entertainment/article/201908167964I |url-status=live }}</ref> and in the ''[[South Park]]'' episode "[[Board Girls]]". The following year, it was used in the drama series ''[[Mr. Queen]]'' and in a dance performance of the [[Netflix original]] film ''[[Work It (film)|Work It]]''.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 3, 2021 |title=6 Korean movies to detox from the drama Penthouse that you need to watch right away! |url=https://kenh14.vn/drama-ngap-hong-vi-penthouse-xem-ngay-6-tua-phim-han-lang-man-nay-de-duoc-giai-doc-tam-hon-20210323223452069.chn |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403145627/https://kenh14.vn/drama-ngap-hong-vi-penthouse-xem-ngay-6-tua-phim-han-lang-man-nay-de-duoc-giai-doc-tam-hon-20210323223452069.chn |archive-date=April 3, 2021 |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=[[Kênh 14 (website)|Kenh 14]] |language=vi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Work It Soundtrack: All The Music In New Netflix Dance Film Starring Sabrina Carpenter |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/news/work-it-soundtrack-music/ |publisher=[[Capital (radio network)|Capital FM]] |date=August 7, 2020 |access-date=December 17, 2020 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027165110/https://www.capitalfm.com/news/work-it-soundtrack-music/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

About choosing "I Am the Best" for its "Head to Head" Surface Pro 3 commercial, Microsoft said that the song's "confident lyrics and lively beats made a good fit with the new product's image".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sohn |first1=Ji-young |title=Microsoft features 2NE1 song in new ad |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140813000863 |website=[[The Korea Herald]] |date=August 13, 2014 |access-date=December 10, 2020 |archive-date=May 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530000441/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140813000863 |url-status=live }}</ref> A follow-up commercial, "Accolades", was later released and was broadcast during the [[57th Annual Grammy Awards]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2015 |title=2NE1's 'I Am The Best' Steals Spotlight at The Grammy Awards 2015 in Microsoft Surface Pro 3 TV Spot: K-Pop Crossover Heating Up |url=https://www.vcpost.com/articles/41892/20150210/2ne1s-best-steals-spotlight-grammy-awards-2015-microsoft-surface-pro.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219203407/https://www.vcpost.com/articles/41892/20150210/2ne1s-best-steals-spotlight-grammy-awards-2015-microsoft-surface-pro.htm |archive-date=February 19, 2015 |access-date=October 11, 2023 |website=Venture Capital Post |language=en}}</ref> resulting in the song regaining the top spot on the World Digital Songs chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |date= |title=World Digital Song Sales, February 14, 2015 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-digital-song-sales/2015-02-14 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816103957/https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-digital-song-sales/2015-02-14/ |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |access-date=October 11, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 2018, it was chosen for an advertisement campaign for the 2019 [[Kia Forte]] car by [[Kia Canada]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2NE1's 'I Am The Best' hit song in brand new car commercial |url=https://news.sabay.com.kh/article/1091286 |website=Sabay News |access-date=November 23, 2022 |language=km |date=September 29, 2018 |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123091158/https://news.sabay.com.kh/article/1091286 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was included in the [[Kinect|Xbox 360 Kinect]] game ''[[Dance Central 3]]'' (2012),<ref>{{cite web |first=Andrew |last=Goldfarb |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/23/dance-central-3-release-date-announced |title=Dance Central 3 Release Date Announced |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=July 23, 2012 |access-date=January 24, 2014 |archive-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223063729/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/23/dance-central-3-release-date-announced |url-status=live }}</ref> the video-game series' first K-pop song,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Valdes |first1=Giancarlo |title=Dance Central 3 hops, shuffles, and body rolls its way to greatness (review) |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/10/15/dance-central-3-review/ |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=December 18, 2020 |date=October 15, 2012 |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811015841/https://venturebeat.com/2012/10/15/dance-central-3-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and was added to the soundtrack of [[Ubisoft]]'s game ''[[Just Dance 2020]]''.<ref>{{Cite webnews |last=Arcadio |first=Ryan |date=November 12, 2019 |title=Ubisoft to include more K-pop songs in ‘Just'Just Dance 2020’2020' |url=https://technology.inquirer.net/92303/ubisoft-to-include-more-k-pop-songs-in-just-dance-2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112090218/https://technology.inquirer.net/92303/ubisoft-to-include-more-k-pop-songs-in-just-dance-2020 |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |access-date=October 13, 2023 |websitenewspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |language=en}}</ref>

Critics have recognized "I Am the Best" as a symbol of the "girl crush" image in K-pop as well as one of the works that helped increase K-pop's global exposure. Writing for ''Billboard'', Caitlin Kelley defined "girl crush" as "anything that conveys the image of ferocity, stepping outside the expectations of hyperfemininity", but also amounting to "more abstract ideas of relatability, aspiration and female empowerment." She noted 2NE1 as one of the groups which largely developed the image in the genre, and referred to "I Am the Best" as "one of the most iconic girl crush concepts on many levels."<ref name="girl crush">{{cite magazine |last1=Kelley |first1=Caitlin |title=How 'Girl Crush' Hooked Female Fans and Grappled With Feminism as K-pop Went Global in 2018 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/year-in-music-2018/8491604/girl-crush-k-pop-feminism-2018 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en |date=December 27, 2018 |access-date=September 12, 2021 |archive-date=December 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227183933/https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/year-in-music-2018/8491604/girl-crush-k-pop-feminism-2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' included the song in their article of 45 highlights in girl group history.<ref name=":2" /> The following year, ''[[GQ|British GQ]]'' called it the highlight of 2011 and a game-changer in a decade of K-pop, acknowledging 2NE1 for bringing the genre to the "curious attention of the Western fashion and music media", and regarded "I Am the Best" as the "visual blueprint" for the genre's "feisty" girl crush concept.<ref name="GQ" /> ''Billboard'' ranked the song number four on their "100 Greatest K-pop Songs of the 2010s" list, calling the song "undeniably iconic" and the "track that bulldozed into our lives and pulled so many of us into the wondrous world of Korean pop".<ref name="100 greatest kpop songs billboard" /> In 2020, the lyrics of "I Am the Best" were featured in an exhibition titled "Korean Pop Lyrics: Melodies of Life" at the [[National Hangeul Museum]] in Seoul.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yae-rim |first1=Kwon |date=May 15, 2020 |title=Beauty of Hangeul rediscovered through Korean pop songs |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200515000693 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103052018/https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200515000693 |archive-date=November 3, 2022 |access-date=November 3, 2022 |website=[[The Korea Herald]] |language=en}}</ref>

! Chart (20112011–2013)

{{singlechartsingle chart|Billboardjapanhot100|53|artist=2NE1|rowheader=true|date=|access-date=October 8, 2011}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|France|61|artist=2NE1|song=I Am The Best|access-date=November 15, 2014|rowheader=true|refname=snep}}

* {{cite book |editor-last1=Lee |editor-first1=Sangjoon |editor-last2=Nornes |editor-first2=Abé Mark |title=Hallyu 2.0: The Korean Wave in the Age of Social Media |date=2015 |publisher=[[University of Michigan Press]] |location=Ann Arbor, Michigan |isbn=978-0472120895 |doi=10.3998/mpub.7651262 |hdl=10356/143911 }}

* {{cite book |last1=Anderson |first1=Crystal S. |title=Soul in Seoul: African American Popular Music and K-pop |date=2020 |publisher=[[University Press of Mississippi]] |location=Jackson, Mississippi |isbn=9781496830135 |doi=10.2307/j.ctv1595mmf |s2cid=225296119 }}

[[Category:Korean-languageSongs songsin Korean]]