South Korean girl group Blackpink has signed a new contract with record label YG Entertainment.
Amid much speculation about the K-pop girl group's future at the label, a filing by the company on Wednesday (December 6) confirmed the Pink Venom hitmakers will remain at the agency.
"The board has completed a resolution about renewing the contracts with Blackpink's four members," confirmed YG in a statement.
The firm's founder Yang Hyun Suk added: "We are pleased to continue our relationship with Blackpink.
"Blackpink will continue to do its best to shine even brighter in the global music market as an artist representing not only our company but also K-pop. [...] And we send our unwavering support and faith to [fans]."
Fans of the four-piece — comprising Jisoo, Lisa, Jennie and Rosé — had been concerned with reports they could go elsewhere after their contract was up for renewal after seven years. However, each member's solo contracts are still "said to be under negotiation", according to Variety.
As the most successful Korean girl group internationally, Blackpink were recently honoured with MBEs by King Charles during a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. They were among around 170 guests invited to the glittering event in London hosted by the monarch and Queen Camilla in honour of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee's state visit to the UK.
During a speech, King Charles recognized the band for their environmental advocacy work. "It is especially inspiring to see Korea's younger generation embrace the cause. I applaud Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rose, better known collectively as Blackpink, for their role in bringing the message of environmental sustainability to a global audience as Ambassadors for the UK's Presidency of COP 26, and later as advocates for the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals," said the monarch. "I can only admire how they can prioritise these vital issues, as well as being global superstars."
He went on to reference his last visit to the South Korean capital back in 1992 alongside his late ex-wife Diana, Princess of Wales.
Charles quipped: "Sadly, when I was in Seoul all those years ago, I am not sure I developed much of what might be called the Gangnam Style!"