| Girl band 2NE1 / Korea Times file |
By Kim Jae-hun
| Nam Tae-hyun |
Their official contract with YG, one of the nation's top three entertainment agencies, expired in May.
According to the entertainment company, the three remaining members ― rapper CL, and vocalists Park Bom and Dara ― agreed to disband. Dara and CL signed new contracts with YG as soloists, while the group's main vocalist Park Bom was determined to leave the agency.
2NE1 members had a two-year hiatus after Park was embroiled in a drug-smuggling scandal.
Earlier, YG said the three-member girl band would continue to sing without Minzy. But the agency shifted its decision after a rumor that the company had a connection with the aides of Choi Soon-sil, the main player in a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye. Park was allegedly able to avoid prosecution because of the company's ties with Choi.
On Friday, YG also announced that boy band WINNER member Nam Tae-hyun would leave the group.
The boy band members have remained inactive for the past several months after Nam was unable to perform for due to a mental illness. At the time the agency said the members would resume performances once Nam fully recovered, which did not occur.
According to YG, Nam felt pressure because his lingering health problems were negatively affected his teammates. YG ended its contract with the singer on Nov. 18.
WINNER will continue to perform without a replacement for Nam, the agency said.