BlackPink’s contract with YG Entertainment ended in August. Fans still do not have an official answer about whether the four members will stay with the company or not. According to the audience, there are many reasons for YG to delay in announcing the contract.
YG’s repeated answer about BlackPink’s contract
According to YG Entertainment, the company is still negotiating new exclusive contracts with BlackPink, the final results will soon be announced. “We are negotiating with the artists about their exclusive contracts. The final results will be revealed through documents related to major management issues, related to investment” – YG said .
Meanwhile, the exclusive contract with BlackPink expired in August, YG Entertainment said it has been negotiating with the members since this time. There are no updates on the contract issue other than media sources. Some Korean newspapers said that Rosé is the only member to renew her contract with YG. The remaining members all have new directions, such as Jisoo and Jennie setting up their own company, Lisa is being noticed by many foreign record labels.
After a series of scattered rumors, YG still only announced that they are continuing to negotiate, no decision has been made. YG’s latest statement on November 14 is an update on BlackPink’s contract extension after two months. Therefore, fans are even more curious about the group’s future activities.
YG said BlackPink’s contract will be announced soon.
A notable revelation amid the noise, Jennie was discovered to have applied to register the trademark “Jennie Ruby Jane” with the Korean Intellectual Property Agency in January this year. Trademarks are registered in ten different categories, such as services, fashion, cosmetics… marking an important step forward in protecting intellectual property rights.
The filing of the trademark application shows Jennie’s intention to protect her name in many future business activities. Many people believe that Jennie has a foresight and clearly shows her intention not to depend on YG.
Why did YG delay the contract announcement?
After 7 years, BlackPink has built a solid foothold in Korean showbiz, becoming a global girl group with a large fan base. Each member has achieved certain successes in music, especially fashion. Not everyone wants to continue sticking with the old company but wants to be independent in their artistic activities and conquer higher goals.
Jennie’s filming in the Hollywood movie – The Idol and Lisa’s performance at the Crazy Horse strip bar have shown BlackPink members’ ambition to reach the European and American markets. In addition, Jisoo has confirmed her participation in many future film projects. YG wants to continue accompanying and connecting the members as a complete group, which is not easy.
To renew a contract with a famous artist, management companies usually have to spend a large amount of money to receive the other party’s consent. In September 2023, BTS continued their 5-year contract with HYBE. Daol Investment & Securities estimates that the upfront payment for BTS’s exclusive contract was more than 21 billion won ($15.6 million) per member.
Besides the cost issue, many people believe that YG and the four members of BlackPink have not yet reached a consensus on artistic activities, leading to the extension of the contract.
Many viewers believe that YG failed to renew the contract with BlackPink, deliberately delaying it to wait for Baby Monster to debut.
Many people feel that the company is hesitating to reveal the results of months-long negotiations, waiting for their new girl group to debut – Baby Monster – the group that is said to be an alternative. BlackPink.
“They just waited until Baby Monster came out… Who here really thought they had reached a compromise? It’s ridiculous”, “The way YG handles business is definitely unique”, “I just wish they would get rid of the stripper (referring to Lisa – Reporter)”, “I bet they just hope wait until Baby Monster comes out”, “I think YG failed in negotiations. They don’t want the stock price to drop before Baby Monster comes out”, “This really takes a long time. Will this end this year?”, “I have a feeling they continue to push the announcement because it can’t be renewed”, “I think group activities with YG are extended, but as for individual activities, “Humanity, they will go their separate ways”… the audience’s speculations were made.