YG’s hottest girl group BLACKPINK took the stage for their Deadline World Tour in Hong Kong on the 26th of January. What was a night of epic performances was soon re-examined as rumors started to spread as the lights began to fade. Are BLACKPINK going to disband?
Photos of the members hugging each other during a tearful performance began gaining traction on the internet. Since it had been some time since BLACKPINK last had major group activities, it was an emotionally overwhelming moment for the girls. However, fans are digging deeper into the idea that this might be the last time people can see the lovely quartet on stage.
BLACKPINK shared a heartfelt OT4 hug together, making it the sweetest night for fans at their DEADLINE finale concert.pic.twitter.com/2cjxLf2ebU
— Pop Core (@TheePopCore) January 26, 2026
Articles citing Forbes in particular became a major turning point in people’s opinions. The outlet concluded, “For now, the final scenes in Hong Kong depict the four women of BLACKPINK at their commercial peak, having just completed one of the most successful tours in K-Pop history.” It added, “Whether these images signify an end or merely an intermission remains the industry’s biggest unanswered question.”
Forbes further explained the history of YG’s hit girl group, focusing on each member resigning with YG but establishing their own independent companies. “Jennie founded ODD ATELIER, Lisa founded LLOUD, Jisoo founded BLISSOO, and Rosé signed with YG’s subsidiary, THEBLACKLABEL.
Furthermore, the exact duration of BLACKPINK’s re-signed contracts was never revealed back in 2023. Historically, contract renewals in the industry—including those for labelmates BIGBANG—often follow a two-year cycle. While initial analysis of YG’s business reports led some experts to estimate a four-year term based on amortization costs, others have since suggested that if those costs are calculated quarterly, the contract could be as short as just two years. Also, the oddly titled album DEADLINE further evokes suspicion among K-Pop fans. Concert-goers and critics also commented on the world tour performances, saying, “The DEADLINE world tour felt like four solo artists sharing a stage rather than a combined group performance,” and “Acts 2 and 4 were entirely dedicated to solo performances.”
The icing on the possible-disbandment-cake came when the members left heartfelt messages for BLINK (the fandom) before the final curtain call. Rosé had tearfully said, “Last night, before I went to bed, a lot of thoughts suddenly crossed my mind. I thought about how I used to call my mom when we were trainees and how we became BLACKPINK. We’ve achieved a lot, and it’s all thanks to BLINKs There were tough times, but there were also many things to celebrate together. When I thought about it, tears kept flowing.”
When photos and quotes of their tearful speeches began circulating on social media, fans flooded the post with comments saying, “If it’s a hiatus, it’s disbanded… The Born Pink tour was never emotional like this,” while another fan predicted a long-term hiatus, saying, “They won’t see each other for five years.”
However, fans are holding on to hopes and beliefs that this is truly an emotional moment for the girl group as they celebrate a decade of musical success and accomplishments. Forbes further embellished on the situation, saying, “In November 2024, Rosé told the New York Times that ‘disbanding was definitely not an option,’ but she did not provide a clear answer as to what would happen after the tour.”
Alongside this news, even an unverified social media post back in 2025 stated, “BLACKPINK would not renew their contract after the tour.” Despite the high levels of engagement and reactions, YG Entertainment did not respond to the news or the current speculations. Perhaps there is hope that the girls can return in five years?
For now, BLACKPINK has completed one of the most commercially successful K-Pop tours in history. With a decade of accolades, nothing can stop BLACKPINK, right? The big question remains unanswered for now. Stay tuned for more updates and let us know your thoughts on BLACKPINK’s fragile future in the comments below!
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