Speculation Abounds as Members' Contract End Dates Loom

YG Entertainment

Blackpink, the globally acclaimed K-pop girl group, saw their exclusive contract with YG Entertainment expire in August. However, the future of the group remains uncertain, with ongoing rumors and speculations circulating.

Adding fuel to the rumors, Blackpink's Rose was recently spotted in Paris with Ron Perry, the chairman and CEO of Columbia Records. A picture of their meeting was shared among Blackpink's French fan community, leading to speculation about a potential collaboration with the American label.

Columbia Records is home to renowned pop artists such as Celine Dion, Beyonce, Adele, and Harry Styles. Some fans also suggest that Rose might be working on a solo album with the US label, as it is common for K-pop solo releases to involve a US-based record label to reach international audiences effectively.

Intriguingly, there are indications that YG Entertainment is facing challenges retaining Lisa, one of Blackpink's members. Reports suggest that other agencies in Southeast Asia are offering Lisa contracts ranging from 50 billion won to 100 billion won ($36.84 million to $73.68 million).

Speculation regarding the group's future was further stoked by reports that some Blackpink members are exploring the possibility of establishing their own agencies, and a member's parent was reportedly in contact with various investors for meetings.

In a local report last month, it was suggested that Jennie, Lisa, and Jisoo had left YG Entertainment, leaving only Rose with the agency. The report claimed that the three members had made a deal to continue working as Blackpink for six months each year, even if they signed exclusive contracts with other agencies. This report led to a 13.28 percent drop in YG Entertainment's stock price on September 21.

YG Entertainment has stated that "nothing has been decided yet," refuting the reports of Blackpink's departures. Industry analysts, however, suggest that YG can still maintain its strength without Blackpink, citing the company's solid foundation. YG Entertainment reported an operating profit of 9.3 billion won for the second half of 2022, during a period when Blackpink was not actively contributing to the agency. The agency anticipates that their boy group Treasure and the debut of a new girl group, Babymonster, in the fourth quarter of this year will contribute to its artist pipeline and profitability.

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