Since their split, the members of 2NE1 have missed each other, but the reunion has been a long time coming.
In the last episode of Take the block quizAnd K-Pop queens 2NE1 the members were guests after successfully kicking off the Seoul leg of the “Welcome Back World Tour” in early October.
While discussing 2NE1’s career as one of South Korea’s hottest K-Pop idols of their era, the host Yoo Jae Suk then I brought up 2016, the year the members stopped all group activities and focused on solo activities.
Members Structure Park, Bom ParkAND Minzy they all said that dealing with life outside the group was difficult. Sandara Park, in particular, said that as she pursued different paths, such as acting, doing entertainment and even trying musical theater, she really missed her members.
Yoo Jae Suk: It was 2016. The members of 2NE1 decide to focus on solo careers. It must have been a time of great confusion and much searching for answers.
Sandara Park: I think, among the members, I have been the most active in pursuing different types of solo activities. I tried acting, taking part in entertainment programs and even trying my hand at musical theatre. Every time I felt like I was getting used to something, I would try something different. Meeting new people and always trying new things? It was difficult for me, especially because I’m generally a shy person.
Bom Park: Yes. Meeting hoobae idols after a long time… It reminded me a lot of the 2NE1 members.
Yoo Jae Suk: I bet. It is difficult to realize when the group is active together. But just once? That’s when it hits you.
Minzy: I realized this when I was part of a girl group program with comedian Kim Souk it is not. Oh, I couldn’t stop thinking about the members of 2NE1. It made me realize how each of us had such unique talents to bring to the group, to our positions. I noticed that it was the members of 2NE1 who really filled in what I was missing.
So why did it take 2NE1 so long to get back together?
CL revealed his careful and reasonable thought process behind why, as the leader of 2NE1, he needed to bring the members together at the right time and with the right mindset. For CL, 2NE1 never was “Above,” but he wanted all four members to be fully so “ok and capable” to recover.
I thought, to come back as 2NE1, I had to be OK. That all four of us had to be completely OK in order to get back together. So, for me, it was about doing that work. I needed to be well and to continue to be well… because, personally, I never thought that it was over for us or that we would be separated forever. Back then I couldn’t make promises to members like, “Yes, we’ll be back one day,” because even that would have been irresponsible. And it was tough, for sure. But I’m so grateful that we all survived and got here.
—CL
It was the 2022 Coachella performance where the entire group’s comeback began to take shape. Although the members met regularly every year on Minzy’s birthday, it was 2022 for CL “It felt right.”
2NE1 broke up “without adequate explanation” according to CL, and are making amends with their Coachella reunion
Until four months ago we were… at least in the “system”, we were a loose group. And, as we know, even for friends who get together and have dinner together, it takes a lot of planning and scheduling. So, imagine the work it takes to bring four members together. However, we promised that we would meet at least once a year. So, every year on Minzy’s birthday, we would get together and have dinner. That’s why I was able to invite members to Coachella too. First I was invited alone. But the time seemed right [to come back together].
— CL
And CL’s call had certainly been right. 2NE1’s reunion at Coachella led to a renewal photoshoot, and the photoshoot eventually led up to the world tour. For this Sandara Park thanked CL for his true leadership!
It’s really important to have a leader with the willpower and motivation to move things forward.
— Sandara Park
Watch the full clip here.
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