Update, Friday, December 29 at 7:15 p.m.: Blackpink is still in YG Entertainment’s area, but the members? Not so much. After previously renewing their group contract with YG, members Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé have chosen not to sign new individual contracts with the company. “We will do our utmost to support Blackpink’s activities, and we will cheer on the members’ individual activities with warm hearts,†YG confirmed in a statement translated by Soompi. Basically, this just means that the girls are free to continue their solo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo careers elsewhere. For her part, Jennie has already founded a new label, OA (short for Odd Atelier). We’ll try not to Blink as we keep an eye out for what her bandmates do.
Original story published December 7, 2023 follows.
You can taste Blackpink’s pink venom in the years to come. The four-piece girl group renewed their contract with YG Entertainment after months of guessing whether or not the band would breakup off the heels of their blockbuster Born Pink World Tour, which did a conclusive 66-show run from October 2022 to September 2023, and a historic Coachella set. YG unveiled the news in a regulatory filing on December 6. According to Variety, the news sent YG stock into overdrive, precipitating a 26% jump on stock prices for the KOSDAQ-listed shares that same day. “We are pleased to continue our relationship with Blackpink,†YG founder Yang Hyun Suk said in the statement. “Blackpink will continue to do its best to shine even brighter in the global music market as an artist representing not only our company but also K-pop. […] And we send our unwavering support and faith to [fans].†The group’s contract expired in August, leading many to speculate that the girls, who have yet to renew individual agreements with the label, were ready to move on. In a move that will come as music to Blinks’ ears, Jisoo, Lisa, Jennie, and Rosé will instead plan a new album and tour in the near future. How you like that?