On November 24, 2016, YG Entertainment confirmed what many Blackjacks were afraid to admit: 2NE1 disbanded and have actually done so back in May 2016.
In April, Minzy departed the group following the end of her contract, but YG stated that 2NE1 would continue as three members with a new song or album scheduled for the summer. Summer came and went with no 2NE1 album. Dara was busy doing MC work, while CL prepared to promote her single “Lifted” and her Hello Bi+ches USA tour. Park Bom was rarely seen even though she was spotted at the YG building, sparking some hope that a comeback was on the horizon.
In an official statement, YG Entertainment revealed that CL and Dara resigned with the company in May, but that in addition to Minzy, Park Bom did not resign. The statement reads:
2NE1’s exclusive contract expired in May 2016, and with Minzy leaving 2NE1, we have come to the decision to officially disband after extensive discussion with the remaining members.
As 2NE1 was YG’s official girl group for seven years, we cannot begin to express how we feel, but we determined that it was too difficult to continue. Rather than waiting an unknown amount of time for 2NE1’s next promotions, we have decided to focus on the members’ solo activities.
We sincerely thank all the fans both in Korea and abroad that have loved the group and their music for all this time.
We would like to officially announce that after last May, we resigned with CL and Sandara Park. However, unfortunately, there is no new contract with Park Bom.
While the news may come as a shock to some fans, the news isn’t surprising as the group hasn’t performed together since MAMA 2015.
The group has had its share of controversy over the years from Park Bom’s 2014 drug scandal, to CL’s multiple “MTBD”/Quran controversies, and Netizen quips about Park Bom’s ever-changing appearance. YG Entertainment, too, seem more focused on CL’s budding Western career. Prior to the disbandment news, CL stated in a Style interview that she “was in a band called 2NE1,” confirming that the group was no longer together.
While Minzy signed a new contract with The Music Works Entertainment to prepare for a solo debut, Park Bom remains without a company home, but that hasn’t dampened her enthusiasm. Following the disbandment news, Park Bom posted a video on Instagram with the caption “Practicing singing in order to film a video to share with you guys..!!!. Maybe it’s because it’s a song I’m singing for the first time…. I repeated it several times… Ah…”
2NE1 debuted in 2009 and had a solid run for seven years. The group initially appeared in the MV “Lollipop” for an LG Electronics CV with labelmates BIGBANG before officially debuting with “Fire” May 9, 2009. During their successful run, the group was nominated for 84 awards, winning 66 of them including the Best Asian Newcomer Award (Asia Song Festival) in 2009, Album of the Year for Crush (2010 Cyworld Digital Music Awards), and Song of the Year for “I Am the Best” (MAMA 2011) among others.
With their disbandment, 2NE1 becomes the third 2009-era girl group to disband in 2016 including 4Minute and Rainbow. They’re also the sixth well-known group to disband including the aforementioned 4Minute and Rainbow as well as KARA, SPEED, and F.Cuz; they’re the 24th confirmed disbandment this year.
What are your thoughts on the 2NE1 disbandment news? Was it a surprise or totally expected? Weigh in!
—-Joelle Halon