On July 3, renewed speculation about a 2NE1 comeback emerged following reports that YG Entertainment’s executive producer Yang Hyun Suk recently held a private meeting with CL. According to insiders, this wasn’t their first conversation. Discussions between the two are said to have begun as early as 2024 and have reportedly touched on both CL’s solo career and the future of 2NE1 as a group.
While YG Entertainment offered no confirmation, their vague statement—“Because this was a private meeting, we cannot confirm any specific details”—has only intensified fan curiosity. Many are now wondering whether this signals the start of a new phase for 2NE1 under YG’s direction, or if the group is considering an independent path supported by temporary deals.
Some fans remain skeptical, suspecting that YG might be using 2NE1’s name for short-term profit, especially in light of speculation that BLACKPINK may not be generating the same commercial momentum as before. This theory gained traction after YG released its 2025 Sustainability Report, which surprisingly excluded 2NE1 from the current artist roster. The omission was particularly jarring for fans who hoped their recent “Welcome Back” tour marked a true relaunch.
The group’s 15th-anniversary tour, which wrapped up in Seoul this April, was a major milestone. It spanned over a year and reached 12 cities across Asia, reviving the energy of their early years. But despite the success, 2NE1 remains in a ‘together but separate’ model—each member signed to different agencies, with group performances handled through project-specific contracts rather than a unified long-term agreement.
Their participation in U.S. festival stages, including one without Park Bom, and the upcoming Waterbomb Bali 2025 appearance, are believed to be powered by such short-term arrangements. These deals may allow the group to perform as “2NE1” temporarily, but they don’t guarantee the release of new music or a full group comeback unless a formal contract is renewed or renegotiated.
With the revelation that CL and Yang Hyun Suk have been in continuous talks, hopes are once again on the rise. Could this finally mean a new 2NE1 album or official group comeback is on the horizon? Or will the legendary quartet continue to reunite only occasionally under time-limited deals? For now, fans remain cautiously optimistic but eagerly await official news.