After 2NE1 went viral for their performance at the 2022 Coachella, the public started to question why they can’t comeback as a group.
For Kpop fans and especially Blackjacks (fandom of 2NE1), last April has brought a lasting memory through the iconic performance of 2NE1 at the 2022 Coachella. Sharing about this special stage, the group leader CL said that she wanted to gather the girls “before it was too late”, and other members also expressed their joy and excitement at this reunion. However, this poses a question: if 2NE1 is so fond of this time together, why hasn’t the group made a comeback?
Regarding this matter, a May 4th article on Hankook Ilbo may hold the answer. According to this news site, 2NE1’s lack of comebacks may have to do with the copyrights for the group’s names as well as for their old songs. “2NE1” is technically still a brand registered under YG Entertainment, while most of the group’s songs are credited to their previous producer and composer Teddy.
“If the four members want to perform or release new albums as 2NE1, then they need to get authorization from YG Entertainment or have the rights to their brand transferred to them. That’s why the performance at Coachella needs to be a surprise”, Hankook Ilbo explained. And accordingly, it is not only the audience that was shocked at 2NE1’s reunion, but their former agency as well.
In addition, Hankook Ilbo also detailed that Dara, Park Bom, and Minzy came to Coachella as CL’s special guests, not as 2NE1. The organizers of Coachella also had to pay for the rights to use “I Am The Best” at their festival.
It is no longer surprising that idol groups can’t use their old names after leaving the company, and many industry insiders have been petitioning for this to change. Some officials have called for regulations to allow the use of old group names with a fee, starting from 3 years after the initial 7-year contract expires. This will work for 2NE1, whose members all left YG since their official disbandment in 2016.
Source: Hankook Ilbo
