LACKPINK — dubbed the world’s biggest K-pop girl group — could soon split as ongoing rumours swirl over the end of their seven-year contract with their label.
The famous girl band are said to be looking at going their separate ways, with some band members wanting to renew contracts with label YG Entertainment, while others are not so keen.
It has been reported how band member Rosé is looking to renew her contract, whereas other members — Jisoo, Jennie, and Lisa — are looking to join new labels, however nothing has been confirmed as no official statement has been made by the group.
A newspaper in the country, News1, reported that members Jennie and Jisoo have “already established their individual agencies, which they will most likely join” after ending their contract with YG Entertainment. It also reported that the group and the agency are currently in talks about group activities.
But the news is causing more than discontent among fans, with shares of YG Entertainment suffering its largest one-day drop, tumbling almost nine per cent.
What is going on with Blackpink’s contract renewal?
The issue of the girl band’s contract expiring and the band trying to find a new deal has been rumbling on for months and now seems to have come to a head, as time ticks on.
The four-member group first signed with agency YG Entertainment in August 2016 on a seven-year contract. Their contract ended last month, but the agency has not confirmed any contract renewals with any of the members, fuelling speculation the band could split and go their own separate ways, or sign deals with other agencies.
Who has renewed their contract?
So far, there has been no official word from any of the members on what their futures may hold — only speculation.
So far, the only official word has been from the agency.
A spokesman for YG Entertainment said: “Nothing has been decided on Blackpink’s contract renewal and future activities. We are in discussion with the members.”
Rosé
It has been rumoured that Rosé is the happiest of all members to renew the current contract.
It was reported that Rosé has already signed an agreement with YG Entertainment to renew her contract and had been happy with the deal that had been put on the table. It is rumoured the contract all of the members are seeking is for just six months of the year, each year, which would allow the superstars to also focus on their solo careers.
Jennie and Jisoo
It is rumoured these two members have set up their own agency to deal with solo projects, and no longer want to be represented by YG Entertainment on a single basis.
However, they are said to be open to a group project for six months of the year, but it is said that the offer on the table and what they want is “quite a large gap”.
Lisa
South Korean media reported that Blackpink member Lisa rejected a contract renewal offer from the agency and is looking to others see what they can offer.
Could BLACKPINK break up?
Most K-pop contracts are for seven years, and so the media often refer to groups suffering the “seven-year curse”, where groups disband and split because a deal cannot be reached.
It is a possibility but, given the band’s popularity, fans are hoping a deal can be struck to keep them together — whether that be with their current label or a new one.