CL, Dara, And Bom Write Heartfelt Letters To Blackjacks In Wake Of YG Entertainment K-Pop Girl Group 2NE1 Disbanding
Back in 2009, YG Entertainment debuted a brand new girl group that would change the K-pop landscape with their edginess in fashion and style. They were known as 2NE1 and consisted of four members: CL, Bom, Dara, and Minzy. Saying 2NE1 changed the K-pop landscape would be an understatement. To truly understand just how influential 2NE1 truly is, one must know some facts about them. First and foremost, the music video for their debut title track song “Fire” (the space version) had the honor of being the most viewed music video for a debut title track song for a K-pop girl group in six years, eventually being overtaken by Twice with “Like OOH-AHH.” Their song “I Am the Best” is considered one of the top 10 most influential songs for Hallyu. Only two other songs, “Gee” by Girls’ Generation and “Fantastic Baby” by Big Bang, are considered bigger influences.
By 2014, 2NE1 was sitting on top of the world. Unfortunately, a past situation where Bom was accused of smuggling amphetamines into Korea would come to light and cause a huge scandal. That scandal would force 2NE1 to go into hiatus. Since then, Blackjacks (the official fan club of 2NE1) waited for their “Queens” to make their K-pop return. Sadly, that will only be a fantasy because it was announced that 2NE1 would disband. In some ways, disbandment was inevitable after Minzy opted to leave YG Entertainment, which, in turn, meant she left 2NE1.
Right now, all K-pop fans and Blackjacks can do is hope for the best for the members of the now-disbanded 2NE1, hoping they will do well as solo artists. Still, their hearts are heavy with sadness as they thank 2NE1 for seven years, reminiscing on their greatest moments. And now, Blackjacks’ hearts can somewhat be put at ease as CL, Dara, and Bom have written heartfelt letters to them.
+?? ?????+ pic.twitter.com/Qoo7JvweFU
— CL (@chaelinCL) November 29, 2016
The letters were uploaded on the girls’ official Twitter accounts. The first one to upload a letter was CL. In it, she made sure to assure Blackjacks that 2NE1, though disbanded, is still a team and still a family. She even stressed the fact that Bom, Dara, and Minzy will go forward to do great things, and ended by thanking the fans for seven years of support.
?? ?????…
To my dear Blackjacks… pic.twitter.com/g9epNMaWax— Sandara Park (@krungy21) November 29, 2016
Minutes later, Dara would upload her heartfelt letter to Blackjacks. The handwritten letter is in Hangul, but Soompi was able to provide a translation for K-pop fans and Blackjacks who do not understand it. Dara’s letter is more emotional, as if she feels like she let down all Blackjacks. As a matter of fact, the majority of the letter is her apologizing for causing pain to her fans.
“To my dear Blackjacks…
I didn’t know I’d be writing you a letter like this. First of all, to our fans… I’m sorry for making your hearts ache, I’m sorry for not being able protect you, and I’m so sorry for hurting you. Thanks to you, the past 7 years have felt like a dream, and will be remembered as happy and good memories. Chaelin, Bom, Minzy, and I… The four of us will be eternally grateful and cherish all the time we spent together. Blackjacks… have always loved us, supported us, and protected us. We wanted to give you guys some great music one last time to show our gratitude, but I’m so sorry that we unfortunately were unable to… I know it hurts right now… but I hope you will all be strong, be brave, eat well, and do your best. My feelings for you all will never change. I will do my best to only show you good things. Words cannot express my gratitude for you. Thank you so much for your love, [you’ve given me] more than I deserve.
Written in November 2016, to be remembered as the loneliest of winters… 2NE1’s fresh vocals, Dara.”
It took a little longer for Bom to respond to 2NE1 disbanding, possibly because she is the only one who has not re-signed with YG Entertainment after her contract with the K-pop girl group expired. There are theories that YG Entertainment themselves did not want Bom back because of her drug scandal, but at this moment, they are nothing more than speculation.
— Bom Park (@haroobomkum) November 30, 2016
Nevertheless, Bom was able to share her thoughts of 2NE1 disbanding one day after CL and Dara uploaded their heartfelt letters. Just like Dara, Bom handwrote her letter to K-pop fans and Blackjacks in Hangul. A translation is provided below.
“Fans~ Around the world…
Hello this is Bom, whom you fans have always loved and protected… Our Blackjacks! You really waited so long for us… It’s regrettable… and I have nothing to say other than sorry… It hurts a lot… but I wanted to write a letter…
What I can say right now… is that I did my best… I waited, anticipated, and prepared various things to show our fans… but things in this world don’t seem to happen the way I’d like them to…
It’s not like we did this half-heartedly for a few years… So how can we erase everything in one fell swoop… T.T??… What to do… T.T Although it’s upsetting… I will strive to never forget our ‘memories.’ All our happy moments and joyful times… T.T Although I’m shedding bitter tears… I will keep them in my heart.
When I think about parting ways with Dara, Chaerin, and Minzy, I become speechless… I suddenly can’t breath… I can’t write anymore because it hurts too much… The four of us…
Because we had you, we could do anything… I won’t forget you… Thank you… T.T”
After 2NE1 disbanded, the remaining members went back to their solo endeavors. CL is in the United States working hard to break into the American music industry. Dara is in the Philippines with judging duties on Pinoy Boyband Superstar. Finally, Bom is slowly but surely assimilating back into social media.
[Featured Image by Mnet]
