Blackpink fans are anxiously awaiting the fate of the band, as a slow drip of news about their contract renewal gives few clues.
Blackpink’s contract with YG Entertainment expired in August and fans have been speculating ever since.
Recent reports in the Korean media regarding contract negotiations have fuelled the guessing game.
The four members of the band – Jisoo, Lisa, Jennie and Rosé – have remained tight-lipped about the status of their contract.
The Munhwa Ilbo newspaper reported on Monday that the members of Blackpink had agreed to continue the group’s activities under YG Entertainment. However, the report added that the group would not be renewing their exclusive contracts.
This means that the four are free to pursue solo projects and will only reunite as Blackpink when their schedules allow, the report said.
The Yonhap news agency, citing anonymous sources, reported that Blackpink were in the final stages of negotiating a group contract.
However, the renewal of their individual management contracts “remains unclear”, Yonhap said.
YG Entertainment, which has managed Blackpink since the group’s formation in 2016, said it would make an announcement once negotiations were complete.
Fans took to social media to plead with their idols to stay together.
“Blackpink please don’t break up,” one fan wrote.
“I’m very sad… because Blackpink will disband,” a fan commented under the latest post on the group’s official Instagram page.
Blackpink have become the biggest K-pop girl group on the planet and the individual members are celebrities in their own right.
Their contract has expired while their male counterparts, BTS, are on hiatus due to some members being called up for military service.