Blackpink members not renewing individual contracts at YG: agency

Blackpink (YG Entertainment)

All four members of the K-pop sensation Blackpink are leaving YG Entertainment to pursue their solo careers.

“We recently extended our exclusive contract with Blackpink for its group projects. We agreed not to proceed with an additional contract for each member’s individual activities,” said YG Entertainment in a press release on Friday.

YG announced on Dec. 6 that the four-member group had renewed an exclusive contract with the agency for group activities.

Since their debut in 2016 with singles “Whistle” and “Boombayah,” the quartet has flourished as a world-renowned K-pop girl group, enchanting the public and topping major US and UK music charts.

The group’s other releases have all been hits, including “Playing With Fire,” “Kill This Love,” “Lovesick Girls,” “Pink Venom” and “Shut Down."

Blackpink rewrote K-pop history for female groups last year when their second studio album, “Born Pink,” topped the Billboard 200 and the British Official Albums Chart Top 100, the first K-pop girl group to do so.

Earlier this year, the group ended their second world tour, "Born Pink," on a high note, attracting 1.8 million fans worldwide.

Jennie of Blackpink was the first member of the group to announce her new beginning under a new agency that she has established for her solo career.

“This year was filled with many accomplishments, and I’m so thankful for all the love I’ve received. I’m also excited about what’s to come, as I start my solo journey in 2024 with a company that I have established called OA. Please show lots of love for my new start with OA and of course, Blackpink,” Jennie wrote in a post on her Instagram account on Sunday.

By Hong Yoo(yoohong@heraldcorp.com)