2NE1, KARA, and Rainbow: Second-Gen K-pop Legends Announce Comebacks

Summary of News

  • Iconic second-gen K-pop groups 2NE1, KARA, and Rainbow announce their comeback, exciting longtime fans.
  • 2NE1 plans a concert tour to celebrate their 15th anniversary, starting in Seoul and extending to Osaka and Tokyo.
  • KARA will release a new digital single “I Do I Do” and a pre-release track featuring late member Koo Ha-ra.
  • Rainbow’s revival project includes former members forming a new unit, Rainbow18, supported by original hitmakers.

Iconic second-generation K-pop girl groups 2NE1, KARA, and Rainbow have announced their return to the music scene, bringing waves of excitement to longtime fans. These groups, which rose to fame in the mid-2000s, are reuniting after years of focusing on individual activities, and their comeback plans are already creating buzz in the K-pop community.

2NE1’s Triumphant Return (comback)

YG Entertainment, the agency behind 2NE1, revealed the group’s reunion through a video titled “2025 YG PLAN” on their official YouTube channel.

In the video, YG’s executive producer Yang Hyun-suk shared that the 2NE1 members are eager to commemorate their upcoming 15th anniversary with a concert. “We had a delightful meeting where we decided to make the concert happen within this year,” Yang announced.

The concert tour will kick off in Seoul in early October, with subsequent performances in Osaka and Tokyo in late November and December.

2NE1, KARA, and Rainbow: Second-Gen K-pop Legends Make Triumphant Comebacks
Source: K-pop act 2NE1 / Courtesy of YG Entertainment. Retrieved from koreatimes

2NE1, consisting of members CL, Gong Min-ji, Park Bom, and Sandara Park, made a significant impact in the second-generation K-pop era with their intense visual concepts and solid vocal skills. Their discography includes hits like “I Don’t Care” (2009), “I Am the Best” (2011), “Ugly” (2011), and “COME BACK HOME” (2014). The group disbanded in November 2016, making this reunion highly anticipated by fans.

KARA’s Comeback with New Music

KARA, another iconic group from the mid-2000s, is also making a comeback with a digital single titled “I Do I Do,” set to be released on Wednesday. Ahead of this release, KARA unveiled a pre-release track, “HELLO,” on July 16.

According to their labels, RBW and DSP Media, the song is an unreleased track initially intended for KARA’s fourth full-length album from September 2013, featuring the pre-recorded vocals of the late KARA member Koo Ha-ra.

kara, rainbow, and 2nei kpop groups comback
Source: K-pop girl group KARA / Courtesy of RBW, DSP Media. Retrieved from Koreatimes

Despite leader Park Gyu-ri’s recent orbital fracture and surgery, which prevented her from participating in scheduled activities throughout July, KARA remains determined to make a strong return. Known for hits like “Pretty Girl” (2008), “Mr.” (2009), and “STEP” (2011), KARA played a pivotal role in spreading the Korean wave, or hallyu, to Japan, becoming the first K-pop girl group to perform at the Tokyo Dome.

Rainbow’s Revival Project

Rainbow, a former seven-member girl group, also hinted at a comeback with two of its original members through a YouTube teaser video posted on July 16. The video announced Rainbow’s revival project, featuring former members Go Na-eun and Cho Hyun-young forming a new unit called Rainbow18. Renowned composers and choreographers, including Sweetune, who contributed to Rainbow’s biggest hit “A” (2010), will support the group’s new beginning.

Pop culture critic Jung Min-Jae commented on the resurgence of these second-gen groups, stating that their motive is not to generate profit or top music charts, but to highlight the enduring bond between the members and their now grown-up fans. Jung emphasized that these reunions serve as a testament to the deep connection between the groups and their original fans, solidifying their status as generational icons.

Source: koreatimes