2nd-gen K-pop girl groups announce reunion

K-pop act 2NE1 / Courtesy of YG Entertainment

Iconic second-gen K-pop girl groups who rose to fame in the mid-2000s — 2NE1, KARA and Rainbow — announced their return to the music scene, bringing excitement to longtime K-pop fans.

YG Entertainment, the agency representing 2NE1, announced the group's reunion via a video titled "2025 YG PLAN," released on the agency's official YouTube channel, Monday.

In the video, YG's executive producer Yang Hyun-suk shared that the 2NE1 members "expressed a strong desire to hold a concert to commemorate the group's upcoming 15th anniversary of debuting."

"We had a delightful meeting where we decided to make the concert happen within this year," Yang said, adding that they have booked venues starting in Seoul in early October, followed by Osaka and Tokyo in late November and December.

2NE1, consisting of members CL, Gong Min-ji, Park Bom, and Sandara Park, distinguished itself in the second-generation K-pop landscape in the 2000s with its intense visual concepts and solid vocal skills. Its discography is a hit after another, including K-pop anthems like "I Don't Care" (2009), "I Am the Best" (2011), "Ugly" (2011) and "COME BACK HOME" (2014).

However, the group announced its disbandment in November 2016 and has since focused on individual activities.

K-pop girl group KARA / Courtesy of RBW, DSP Media

Another mid-2000s icon, KARA, announced its return with a digital single titled "I Do I Do," slated for release on Wednesday.

Prior to the impending release, the group unveiled a pre-release track, "HELLO," July 16. According to the group's labels, RBW and DSP Media, the song is "an unreleased track initially intended for KARA's fourth full-length album released back in September 2013." The track also features the pre-recorded vocals of late KARA member Koo Ha-ra.

Meanwhile, the group's leader, Park Gyu-ri, sustained an orbital fracture and underwent surgery, preventing her from participating in scheduled activities throughout July.

Known for mega-hits like "Pretty Girl" (2008), "Mr." (2009) and "STEP" (2011), KARA played a significant role as a second-gen girl group in spreading the Korean wave, or hallyu, to Japan, becoming the first K-pop girl group to grace the Tokyo Dome stage.

Rainbow, a former seven-member girl group, also hinted at a comeback with two of its original members via YouTube.

On July 16, the YouTube channel "TAK TAK" posted a teaser video announcing Rainbow's revival project. The video revealed that former members Go Na-eun and Cho Hyun-young will reunite to form a new unit called Rainbow18.

Renowned composers and choreographers, including Sweetune, who contributed to Rainbow's biggest hit "A" (2010), will support the group's new beginning, according to the video.

Pop culture critic Jung Min-Jae told The Korea Times that the motive behind numerous second-gen acts seeking a return to the music scene is "not to generate profit or top music charts, but to underscore the enduring bond between the members and their now grown-up fans."

"Most second-generation girl group members still possess performance skills and vocal abilities that rival those of currently active idol groups ... Combine that with the deep sense of nostalgia felt by the generation that consumed music in the mid to late 2000s during their teenage years — there is nothing to lose in hosting concerts or releasing a new song," Jung said.

"That's why these musical returns, from the agencies' side, serve as a testament to the enduring connection between the groups and their original fans, solidifying their status as generational icons."