The pressing issue of BLACKPINK's full-group re-signing with YG Entertainment remains unresolved. What will be the outcome?
Since their debut on August 8, 2016, BLACKPINK celebrated their 7th anniversary this past August 8th. Yet, nearly two months have passed, and the long holiday season is approaching. Despite being launched by YG in 2016 as the successor to 2NE1 and subsequently reaching global K-pop stardom, both the members and the agency remain tight-lipped about their next steps.
While they successfully completed a world tour with an audience of 211,000, there are whispers about the members preparing for solo careers. Although YG hasn't confirmed anything, there are ongoing rumors about solo ventures.
Earlier this year, there were discussions among the members about preserving the title "BLACKPINK." However, from Lisa to Rosé, Jennie, and Jisoo, there have been speculations about each member's 'next' move.
Lisa, the only foreign member, has reportedly declined negotiations with YG twice. With an estimated value of around 50 billion won, Lisa's global influence is undeniable. Recently, her association with Frédéric Arnault, the fourth son of LVMH's chairman and CEO of TAG Heuer, has fueled rumors about her potential departure from YG.
Rosé is rumored to be the only member re-signing with YG, while Jisoo and Jennie are reportedly considering establishing their own label-focused companies. Despite these speculations, all members seem to agree on preserving BLACKPINK as a team. Even if they're not together within YG, they seem committed to strengthening the BLACKPINK brand and reuniting for group activities.
Regarding this, YG Entertainment reiterated on the 25th, "There's no confirmation regarding BLACKPINK's re-signing and future activities."
Amidst the uncertainty, the members continue to share close-knit photos and videos. Jisoo addressed rumors of discord among the members in a YouTube appearance, laughing them off. Rosé's 'Sydney vlog' on her YouTube channel 'Rosesarerosie' also sparked discussions about the implications of her content amidst the re-signing period.
Jennie also hinted at a solo album in five years during a Harper's Bazaar interview in October. The announcement, especially without news of a re-signing, is quite unusual, raising questions about whether the album will be released under YG or a new label.
The stock market is feeling the tremors. As of the 25th, YG Entertainment's stock price dropped to the 65,000 won range, still affected by the BLACKPINK re-signing issue. With BTS recently confirming their re-signing, all eyes are on BLACKPINK to see how the group's future will unfold.
