Bold. Bad. Brash.

These are words often used about sassy K-pop quartet 2NE1, who have stood out like a sore thumb among the sea of doll-faced South Korean girl groups ever since they made their debut in 2009.

Unlike most all-female outfits that play up the cutesy factor, a great part of 2NE1's (pronounced "twenty-one") charm lies in their non-conformity - cue their eccentric, flamboyant get-ups, wacky hairstyles and penchant for dark eyeliner.

However, at a press conference on Friday morning at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, none of that edgy, bad-girl attitude was on display.

Instead, Bom (Park Bom), Dara (Sandara Park), both 28, CL (Lee Chaerin), 21, and 18-year-old Minzy (Gong Minji) revealed they had more down-to-earth ambitions and hobbies.

The spunky girls were in town for their New Evolution Global Tour 2012 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Saturday.

When asked by hosts The Muttons - 987FM deejays Justin Ang and Vernon A - what they wanted to be if they weren't singers, leader CL took the microphone and said matter-of-factly: "This could sound shocking, but when I was a little girl, I wanted to be a nun."

Her revelation elicited gasps from journalists in the room.

Unfortunately, to our dismay, CL did not elaborate on the reasons behind her brief spiritual foray.

Dara also threw up a few surprises and laughs with her candid replies.

"I'd most probably be either a housewife or actress," she said.

"I used to act when I was in the Philippines and I kind of miss it.

"As an actress, you can do anything (on screen), like slap somebody's face."

The cheerful, pixie-looking performer moved to the Philippines with her family when she was 10.

She spent many years as a teen movie star there before finding worldwide fame with 2NE1.

Minzy, who cut a solemn figure, spoke the least and was the only one who used a translator - she said she would "love to be a poet".

Only Bom remained unwavering on her position as an entertainer.

"I've always wanted to be a singer, that's all I ever wanted to be."

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