Blackpink contract soap opera continues

SEOUL – Shares of YG Entertainment closed down more than 13% on Thursday after a media report that some members of the K-pop supergroup Blackpink are not renewing their contracts with the agency.

Some Blackpink members have decided to leave YG, while only one member has renewed her contract with the agency, the local media outlet The Daily Sports Seoul reported, citing unidentified entertainment industry sources.

In a statement, the agency said talks to renew the members’ contracts were still ongoing and nothing has been confirmed.

For months, there has been speculation that Thailand-born Lisa Manoban might break away from the group and pursue a solo career.

According to earlier South Korean media reports, the contract renewal offered to Lisa was worth 50 billion South Korean won ($37.6 million).

Rumours have been swirling for the past two months that YG was…