After reuniting to perform in Coachella in 2022, the group finally made a major comeback for the Welcome Back tour in 2024.
The Road Back to 2NE1
On June 25, 2024, reports said that all four members of 2NE1 were set to meet with executive producer Yang Hyun-Suk in the coming days, sparking early anticipation of a possible reunion and comeback discussions.
YG Entertainment later confirmed to Newsen that the meeting was indeed scheduled, but added that there were no further details to share at the time.
In the same month, YG Entertainment began teasing the possibility of a reunion, later confirming that the four members had shared what was described as an “extremely meaningful” two-hour conversation with Yang Hyun-Suk during an official meeting.
SEE RELATED STORY: 2NE1 is back! K-Pop sensation to stage a world tour for 15th anniversary
In July 2024, the agency officially announced that 2NE1 would be reuniting as a group and embarking on a world tour, even posting a photo of the members with the message, “Welcome back.”
Founder Yang Hyun-Suk also appeared in a video revealing the company’s plans, confirming that the group’s world tour would begin in Seoul that October and continue into 2025.
The comeback was later marked by a powerful return to the stage at the 2024 SBS Gayo Daejeon, held at Inspire Arena in Incheon on December 25—ten years since their last appearance at the festival.
CL, Minzy, Park Bom, and Sandara Park delivered a medley of their biggest hits, opening with “Come Back Home,” followed by “Fire,” “I Don’t Care,” and “Ugly,” before closing the set with their iconic anthem “I Am the Best.”
READ: 2NE1 makes successful comeback on SBS Gayo Daejeon stage
Welcome Back Tour
It was announced that 2NE1 would embark on a world tour beginning in South Korea in October 2024, with additional stops across different regions planned throughout 2025, following strong demand from fans around the world.
Just days later, it was revealed that the tour would open at Olympic Hall in Seoul—the same venue where the group held their very first concert tour, Nolza, back in August 2011.
By September 2024, more dates began to roll out across Asia, including Manila and Jakarta, followed shortly by Hong Kong and Singapore. Bangkok and Taipei were then added soon after, with further stops later announced in Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, and Macao.
In January 2025, encore shows were also confirmed for Seoul at the KSPO Dome, set for April 12 and 13, extending the tour’s final run back to where it all grew even bigger.
For the Filipino Blackjacks
The excitement among Filipino Blackjacks only grew stronger after 2NE1 announced a two-night Manila stop for their Welcome Back tour on November 16 and 17 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Across both nights, the group performed some of their biggest hits, turning the venue into a massive singalong led by longtime fans who had waited years to see the four members together again onstage.
The concerts also featured several emotional and lighthearted moments, including CL, Minzy, and Bom dancing along to Sandara Park’s OPM bubblegum hit “In or Out,” drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
During the encore of the first night, Dara was surprised with a birthday cake prepared by fans, leaving the singer visibly emotional.
“After the disbandment, I was not used to celebrating my birthday by myself. And now, we’re here again together. My wish is to be with you guys forever. 2NE1 and Blackjacks forever!” she shared.
However, the second night also raised concerns among fans after Bom had to step back from performing due to health reasons, according to the group’s management and concert promoter.
Following the Manila shows, Dara took to Instagram to thank Filipino Blackjacks for the overwhelming energy and support they gave throughout the concerts.
“Super jam-packed concert in Manila. Thank you so much for singing with us, dancing with us, and giving us so much energy. Maraming salamat sa walang katapusang pagmamahal at suporta niyo sa amin. Mahal na mahal namin kayo, Blackjack PH. I can’t express my feelings in words,” she wrote.
The emotions continued to pour out during the tour’s later stops, with Dara admitting that she became teary-eyed during the soundcheck party of their Macau concert after seeing Blackjacks at the venue.
“I’m sorry I got teary-eyed as soon as I saw Blackjacks during soundcheck party. You know I always cry during our last shows. Hopefully, I won’t cry later,” she shared on Instagram Stories.
She later reflected that while Macau marked the final stop of their highly successful concert tour, it would “definitely not be the last stage” for the group.
What Came After the Reunion
However, even after the successful comeback and reunion tour, 2NE1 found themselves facing new controversy.
Park Bom made headlines after a now-deleted Instagram post uploaded on March 3, where she reflected on her 2014 drug controversy involving allegations that she imported Adderall into South Korea in 2010. In the handwritten message, Bom also claimed that she had been used to cover up alleged drug use involving fellow member Sandara Park.
SEE RELATED STORY: 2NE1’s Park Bom claims she was framed to hide Sandara Park’s alleged drug use
The claims quickly drew attention online, prompting Dara to briefly address the issue through her Instagram Story. The South Korean idol firmly denied the allegations.
“I have never used drugs. I wish her well,” Dara wrote in both Korean and English.
Amid the issue, actor Joseph Bitangcol also publicly showed support for his ex-girlfriend.
Bom would later open up further about her personal journey, her years in the industry, and her relationship with her fellow 2NE1 members, while expressing hope that the controversy would eventually be “treated as if it never happened.”
In April 2026, Dara returned to the Philippines for a short break, sharing news of her arrival through a social media post.
In May 2026, Sandara Park also shared on X that releasing new Filipino songs remains part of her bucket list.
Reflecting on her connection to Original Pilipino Music (OPM), she said, “When I lived in the Philippines, I think I was really influenced by a lot of band music. The Philippines has such a wide variety of bands, and almost everyone loves band music. So I became very familiar with it naturally, and band music is part of the mainstream music scene in the PH, right?”
Part 3 of 3
Read Part 1: Still on Fire: How 2NE1 changed K-pop forever
Read Part 2: Still on Fire: 2NE1 goes on hiatus and says goodbye to an era
This article is part of a special series exploring 2NE1’s rise to fame, disbandment, reunion, and enduring legacy in K-pop.
PUSH SAGA is a series focusing on subjects that have captivated audiences. We delve deeper into that fascination each month with new stories.