The year is 2021, the supposed year of 2NE1, and even after all this time, everyone is asking, is a reunion still possible?
Whether we like it or not, disbanding is very natural to the phenomenon that is K-pop. That’s life, you know? However, not all bands go through this, some even survive and come back in winning form. But as heartbreaking as it is, these things happen, which can be chalked to many different reasons such as the so-called seven year curse, the Korean fair trade, and even the noble going out on top. There are those that just fizzle out from their peak and fade into oblivion, but there are those that go through a public process of breaking up, which is partly done to help ease the fans with what is truly an end to an era. Many parting of ways have come and gone, but nothing echoes with a pang of pain than that of 2NE1, who to this day have been skirting around the possibility of a reunion.
Since the release of their tender and aching single, Goodbye, which stood to be a most fitting punctuation to their legendary career, CL, Dara, Minzy, and Park Bom have pretty much set off on their own, their solo endeavors taking to great heights, naturally. Now, this doesn’t mean they were out of each other’s lives, because as we have seen documented on social media, diligent entertainment sites, and dedicated fan efforts, the girls proved to be even greater friends post band life. This was also in no way an indication of an extinguishing of their fire as performers, because with renewed contracts for individual projects and seeking of new opportunities, they all were blazing their own trails. In fact, much to everyone’s delight, especially the Blackjacks, the girls of 2NE1 orchestrated a reunion at the 2015 Mnet Asia Music Awards (MAMA) that capped the mesmerizing set of CL.
“It’s been a long time coming, let’s go,” chanted CL, challenging what was already taunting the decibel levels in the stadium to go off. “We ‘bout to set the roof on fire baby.”
Related: LOOK: ARE 2NE1 FINALLY BACK IN THE STUDIO?
The Year 202NE1
In a moment now filed in history as iconic, the reunion of 2NE1 was characteristically high-intensity and hot, which proved to be a send-off the girls deserved. Following that, the crossing of paths of CL, Dara, Minzy, and Park Bom were far and in between, so much so that whenever some of them come together, it automatically sets, well, roofs on fire, baby.
With close contacts to each other (they actually still have their own group chat), they’ve all popped up on our timeline here and there, the most public and high profile of it was a reunion of 2NE1 in 2019 to celebrate their 10th anniversary as an awesome foursome. Toasting and eating cake to a decade since the release of their debut single, Fire, in 2009, they had fun and got emotional together with their fans who were part of the intimate gathering through their live stream. They even wrote and shared handwritten letters immortalizing the special coming together.
Parched for anything 2NE1 related since, fans have long wondered if a reunion performance would be possible given their own thriving solo careers. While CL, Dara, Minzy, and Park Bom have been tight-lipped about the possibility, they all have acknowledged how much they miss each other and would love to get together for the Blackjacks. In fact, it seems that Dara is at the center of this, vocally hopeful for a reunion, constantly bringing together the girls in different capacities and situations. Remember CL going to Palawan with her? How about that surprise duet of First Snow between Dara and Park Bom? And Masked Singer aside, didn’t we want more precious selfies with Dara and Minzy?
Let’s Go, Girls
Doing their loyal followers and supports one better than just parts of the band at a time, 2NE1 took the world by surprise when in January of this year, they blessed us with a peek into another of their private reunion, this time for Minzy’s birthday. “2NE1, long time no see,” the celebrant posted on Instagram, which obviously sent timelines into a tizzy.
Rumors were swirling, which is part and parcel of a coming together like this. But this time, there existed a palpable shift of energy with the girls of 2NE1 when it came to a reunion. Every little thing was taken into consideration, with people reading in between the lines, sometimes perhaps too much for their own good. Even an apparent standard Facebook profile photo change was seen as a sign, which unfortunately did not yield to any new information.
However, on April 10, 2021, in the appointed year of 2NE1, Park Bom teased listeners on KBS Cool FM’s Exciting Night, Park So Hyun that CL, Dara, Minzy, and herself took to the studio and recorded something. “On our 11th anniversary, we all met up,” she divulged. But before excitement took control, she quickly put things into perspective, saying, “Well, we just recorded something, so we don’t know if we are going to release it.”
Whatever it is, we will all just have to wait and see, but really, after all this time, what will it take to see 2NE1 in a reunion again, even for just one last time? It’s been a long time coming, girls, let’s go.
Now, while we wait for the resurfacing of this mysterious 2NE1 reunion track, let’s look back at some recent moments when Dara met up with her sisters from the band, virtually or otherwise.
Surprise, It’s Dara And CL On Instagram Live
This Dara And Minzy Acoustic Performance Had Us Reaching For Tissues *sniff*
How Good Is This Dara And Park Bom Duet?
CONTINUE READING: EVEN AFTER ALL THIS TIME, SANDARA PARK IS AN ARTIST TRULY WORTH LOOKING UP TO
