From 2NE1 to Kara: 2nd-Generation Girl Groups’ Comebacks “Recreating Glory”

2NE1’s agency YG Entertainment (hereafter referred to as YG) announced 2NE1’s comeback news on their official account at midnight on July 22nd.

Recently, frequent interactions between YG and 2NE1 raised expectations for a full-group comeback. In May, YG’s executive producer Yang Hyun-suk met 2NE1’s leader CL, and in June, all 2NE1 members had a meaningful and significant conversation with Yang Hyun-suk at YG’s new headquarters.

As 2NE1’s long-awaited full-group comeback became a reality, Sandara Park shared the news by posting a group photo of 2NE1 with the caption “What’s up We’re 2NE1. WELCOME BACK“. Celebrating their 15th debut anniversary, 2NE1 will hold a global tour starting in early October in Seoul.

Along with the news of 2NE1’s comeback, other second-generation girl groups that were active around the same time also announced their return, exciting fans.

Kara (Park Gyuri, Han Seungyeon, Nicole, Kang Jiyoung, Heo Youngji), which debuted in 2007, also announced their comeback. Kara will release the digital single “I Do I Do” on July 24th.

Previously, on July 16th, Kara released “Hello”. According to Kara’s agency, this song was an unreleased track originally intended for Kara’s fourth full-length album released in September 2013. It was completed as a six-member version by adding the voice of the late Goo Hara, who recorded it in Korean before her passing. “Hello” is a ballad themed around the greetings of meeting and parting.

The group Rainbow also showed signs of a comeback, creating a buzz. On July 16th, the channel “TAK TAK” posted a teaser video announcing Rainbow’s revival project.

In the video, Rainbow announced the start of the project by signing a contract. The group will be revived under the name “Rainbow18” and will consist of former Rainbow members Go Woori and Jo Hyunyoung.

Interest also gathered around Girls’ Generation. After releasing their seventh full-length album “FOREVER 1” in 2022 to commemorate their 15th debut anniversary, fans were disappointed as they had not seen the group perform together on stage since.

Tiffany, who appeared on JTBC’s “Newsroom” on July 21st, mentioned the possibility of full-group activities for Girls’ Generation, “We’re always open to it if there’s a good stage and timing. We always think about what influence we can have on junior artists and the current Girls’ Generation. Once the opportunity and message are set, we’re ready to take the stage anytime.”