BLACKPINK Renew Contracts for Group Activities with YG Entertainment: New Music & World Tour Planned
The news that BLINKS have been eagerly waiting for has finally arrived: YG Entertainment, BLACKPINK’s agency has confirmed that all four members Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo, and Rosé have renewed their contracts for group activities.
YG Entertainment announced, “After careful discussions with BLACKPINK, we signed exclusive contracts for group activities based on deep trust.”
YG Entertainment’s executive producer Yang Hyun Suk remarked, “We are happy to be able to continue our relationship with BLACKPINK. BLACKPINK will continue to do their best to shine even brighter in the global music market as artists representing not only our agency but also K-pop, and we send our unwavering support and faith for their future steps.”
YG also unveiled plans for BLACKPINK to release new music and hold a large-scale world tour. BLINKS have spoken out in the past about the lack of group activities and comebacks for the group.
How about their solo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo contracts?
The news did not specify the length of their group contracts. The four members' individual contracts are also still being discussed, meaning they could sign with other agencies for their solo careers.
According to South Korean news outlet Star News in September, it was rumoured that Lisa had rejected two offers from YG, with the size of the contract reportedly worth 50 billion South Korean won (RM178 million). Shares for YG tumbled 9% after the unveiling of this news.
YG Shares Affected
On 6 December, shares of YG Entertainment rose as much as 29%, their biggest intraday jump in more than a decade, according to Bloomberg.
News of their contract renewal previously sent YG shares on a wild ride, with shares tumbling 13% on 21 September when media reported that three of its members would not renew their contracts with the label.
On 20 November, shares climbed 3% when South Korean outlet Munhwa Ilbo revealed that individual members would not be renewing their exclusive contracts with YG, but the group would continue with group activities.
Their shares previously plummeted after their first new girl group in seven years, Baby Monster debuted on 27 November 2023. Baby Monster was expected to become BLACKPINK’s successor and YG’s new breadwinner.
BLACKPINK Continues to Make History
BLACKPINK debuted on 8 August 2016 and their terms expired in August. The hugely popular K-pop girl group last released their second studio album ‘Born Pink’ on 16 September 2022.
In support of the album, they held a worldwide tour which began on 15 October 2022 and concluded on 17 September 2023, comprising 66 concerts in 22 countries. They also broke the record for the highest-grossing concert by a group in history and the highest-grossing tour by a female group, breaking a record held by the Spice Girls.
BLINKS Rejoice
At the announcement of the news, BLINKS took to X to celebrate:
IT’S OVER FOR EVERYONE. BLACKPINK, THE QUEENS OF KPOP ARE STAYING pic.twitter.com/cUQ3N7fRBy— bensé (@lovesickpst) December 6, 2023
“the four of us”— JISOO"blackpink is the best with four members"— JENNIE“best when it’s the four of us”— ROSÉ"blackpink isn't possible if we're not four"— LISApic.twitter.com/rMm2s9X7mt— ?elly (@jendeukiemano) December 6, 2023
BLACKPINK will continue to break and set historical records for many more years to come, setting the bar very high and proving that they’re the biggest girl group in the world.BLACKPINK IN YOUR AREABLACKPINK IS STAYINGBLACKPINK FOUREVERpic.twitter.com/TqxOSlIUHX— ⛧ (@GhoulPinks) December 6, 2023
Image credit: @BLACKPINK, YG Entertainment