Just two months since 2NE1's sudden disbandment, the iconic K-pop girl group finally said a proper goodbye to their fans when they released their final track "Good Bye" on Jan. 21, Saturday. However, with a new single comes more Black Pink comparisons.
Many individuals assume Black Pink is trying to follow 2NE1's footsteps by fusing pop and hip-hop, while emphasizing rap and vocals over everything else. Just like the latter, the new girl group is composed of four women: Lalisa Manoban, Jennie Kim, Park Roseanne and Kim Jisoo.
Finally, 2NE1's former leader CL, 25, broke her silence and shared her honest thoughts about being compared to Black Pink. In a sit-down interview with Korean newsoutlet Ilgan Sports, as cited by All Kpop, the rapper said the new girl group reminds her of the good old days of 2NE1.
"When 2NE1 first debuted, we were also labeled as the second Big Bang," CL added. "It's only natural since we're both from the same label. I believe it shows that we have a lot of influence so I don't feel bad."
The "Hello Bitches" hit-maker then stressed that Black Pink and 2NE1's colors are altogether different. Even the agency's founder Yang Hyun Suk himself commented on the supposed similarities, expressing his interest in maintaining YG's style and sound.
During Black Pink's debut press conference in August 2016, Yang said he prepared for the new girl group's debut more meticulously than he had with any of his previous idol groups. He then hopes Black Pink will fill in the vacancy of the recently disbanded 2NE1 and take the title of YG's representative girl group.
"If you ask me to distinguish Black Pink from 2NE1, I want to say I did not try to make them different," The Korea Times quoted Yang as saying. "I tried to make the YG version of a girl group like I did with 2NE1, but this time I wanted the girls to look pretty too, with skills."
For now, check out the pre-debut dance practices of 2NE1 and Black Pink below: