Girl group 2NE1 to meet with YG head producer

Girl group 2NE1 is set to meet up with YG Entertainment head producer, Yang Hyun-suk, creating speculation of a 15th anniversary reunion for the girl group.

Picture of girl group 2NE1 from group member CL's Instagram [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Girl group 2NE1 is set to meet up with YG Entertainment head producer, Yang Hyun-suk, creating speculation of a 15th anniversary reunion for the girl group.

“Yang will meet up with the whole group very soon,” said a YG Entertainment official on Tuesday, according to local media reports.

The news comes a month and a half after group leader CL posted a photo shoot on Instagram with all four members of the group on May 17, which led many fans to speculate the return of 2NE1.

Though 2NE1 never officially disbanded, the members all terminated their contracts with YG Entertainment in 2016, putting a stop to their activities. The group's members could be active in the entertainment industry and commit to solo careers, but they could not use the name 2NE1 again, which was still trademarked under YG Entertainment.

Ever since the contract termination, there were media reports and member interviews over the years hinting at the return of 2NE1. The girl group came close to performing as a complete unit for the 2021 MAMA awards, but had to proceed without CL, who had to stay in the United States due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

The girl group did manage to come together as a whole for a surprise performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2022. CL, who was performing on stage as part of a collaboration with U.S. label 88rising, brought out the entirety of the group to perform “I am the Best” (2011).

Since its debut in 2009, 2NE1 released numerous hits including "Fire" (2009), "I Don't Care" (2010), "Lonely" (2011), "I Love You” (2012) and "Missing You" (2013), gaining widespread popularity.

To find out more about 2NE1, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]