2NE1 leader CL is in talks to sign an exclusive contract with THEBLACKLABEL, the label run by Teddy, the producer behind 2NE1’s biggest hits, Korean outlets report.
CL might be heading home, sort of. The 2NE1 leader is in talks to sign with THEBLACKLABEL, the label led by producer Teddy Park, according to Korean media reports on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
News1 broke the story as an exclusive. Hours later, the label confirmed talks to Ilgan Sports and Star News, saying it is discussing an exclusive contract with CL.
For longtime BlackJacks, as 2NE1 fans call themselves, that’s a big deal. Teddy wrote and produced a huge chunk of 2NE1’s catalog back in the YG Entertainment days.
What did THEBLACKLABEL say about CL?
The statement was short. A label representative told Ilgan Sports, “Ssiel-gwa jeonsok gyeyak chegyeol nonui jung,” which translates to “We are discussing signing an exclusive contract with CL.” Star News got the same answer.
So for now, it’s talks. Nobody has said when a contract might be signed, or what CL’s first project with the label would look like.
Is CL releasing new music in 2026?
Maybe. News1’s report says CL has already filmed a music video for a new single and that a comeback is expected, though neither label statement mentioned it.
If it happens, it’d be her first big solo release in a while. Her last full album, ALPHA, came out in October 2021, after the singles “Spicy” and “Lover Like Me,” per her discography.
So fans have been waiting about five years for a new CL era. Teddy’s involvement would make that wait feel a lot more worth it.
CL, whose real name is Lee Chae-rin, hasn’t been idle in the meantime. She even popped up in kids’ TV in 2022, voicing Sharki L on Nickelodeon’s Baby Shark’s Big Show!, per Wikipedia. It’s a long way from “The Baddest Female,” and we love that for her. A singer who can go from YG swagger to a cartoon shark has range.
Who is Teddy and what is THEBLACKLABEL?
Teddy is one of K-pop’s most famous producers. He shaped the sound of 2NE1 and other YG acts before building THEBLACKLABEL into its own label.
Today the roster includes Taeyang, Rose, Jeon Somi, Miyeon and ALL DAY PROJECT, according to Ilgan Sports and Star News. Rose signed with the label in 2024 for her solo work, per Soompi.
Adding CL would put another YG alum under Teddy, joining Taeyang from BIGBANG and Rose from BLACKPINK. That’s a lot of nostalgia in one building.
Why did CL leave YG Entertainment?
She didn’t renew. YG announced her departure on Nov. 8, 2019, after years with the company.
Since then, she’s worked through her own one-person agency, Very Cherry, according to Ilgan Sports and Star News. News1 said a move to THEBLACKLABEL would be her first real agency change in about seven years since leaving YG.
Did 2NE1 get back together?
Yes, and it was a lot of fun to watch. YG announced the 2NE1 reunion on July 22, 2024, for the group’s 15th anniversary.
The “Welcome Back” tour opened at Olympic Hall in Seoul on Oct. 4, 2024, and wrapped at KSPO Dome in Seoul on April 13, 2025. Along the way, the group drew more than 250,000 fans and grossed about $44 million, per Wikipedia’s tally.
The group also surprised everyone with a full-group Coachella appearance back in April 2022. In August 2025, Park Bom announced a break from 2NE1 activities, and we haven’t seen new group plans since.
What does this mean for 2NE1 fans?
Not much for the group right now, since nothing about 2NE1 is part of these talks. For CL herself, it could mean a real comeback with a big-name producer in her corner.
THEBLACKLABEL has a good track record of building solo stars, and Teddy knows CL’s voice better than almost anyone in the business. That’s a pretty good starting point.
We’ll update when the contract is official or when a release date drops. Until then, BlackJacks, keep “I Am the Best” on repeat.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
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Hat Tips:
News1 (Oct. 28), first report and new single detail
Ilgan Sports (Oct. 28), label confirmation and roster
Star News (Oct. 28), label confirmation and Very Cherry background
Soompi (Oct. 28), English report; Rose signing background
Wikipedia, 2NE1 reunion tour dates, totals and CL discography
CL Official Channel (Sept. 29, 2021), “Lover Like Me” music video
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