So, I heard about Minzy's decision to leave 2NE1 and I am heartbroken about this. I cannot even begin to tell you how utterly devastated I am about this news. I've been a Blackjack since 2009 and I've seen them live twice. 2NE1 is my girl group bias in Kpop. Heck, they're the only girl group that I like, so this news is really difficult for me to accept.

But still, I respect Minzy's decision to leave the group. I'm not even blaming anyone and I'm not going to pin this incident on only one reason. I'm sure Minzy has more than one reason for deciding to leave, and believe me, as much as it is difficult to be left behind, making the decision to leave a group is equally difficult, if not even more so. Remember that Minzy spent most of her childhood under YG. She literally grew up with these people and I can only imagine the amount of emotional investment that she has put into YG Family and her members. She went through years of hard training with her unnies and although their debut was quite successful (more in the international scene than the local Korean music circuit from what I understand), it wasn't exactly a walk in the park either.

Certainly, there were several factors for her decision and for sure, the official press statement by YG is not the entire truth. I worked in the media and also in corporate communications and I know first hand how things work on both ends. That said, I respect YG's statement but I'm not demanding for an explanation either. Why? Because the company is protecting hundreds of millions of dollars of investments and other artists' careers, as well. I understand that people's livelihoods and a multi-million dollar industry are at stake. 

Also, Minzy is not obliged in any way to explain herself unless she wishes to. I find it dumb that many 'fans' are demanding explanations from both sides. Like, guys, it's her decision and her life. Although she is a public figure, she is not your property and you cannot compel her to do things. Besides, making both sides explain further will not resolve anything.

I also dislike that 'fans' have gone against Papa YG, CL and the other members. I've read pretty nasty comments from immature fans and it's really disappointing. I am not defending Papa YG because given the explanation that they gave on the issue, it was the long hiatus of 2NE1 that caused Minzy's decision to leave the group, so he is not entirely innocent. I've said time and again that Minzy's solo debut has been long overdue but I'm sure YG has valid reasons for delaying things. We may not like him for it but so far, he's never disappointed me with the quality of the comebacks and debuts of YG artists.

CL, hmmm... she's my ultimate bias in the whole of Kpop. For realz. Like, my love for TOP cannot even be compared to how much I am devoted to this woman. Am I disappointed with her? A bit. But I'm sure she's also disappointed with this whole issue since she's the leader. People blame her because she's been too focused on her equally overdue US debut and though it may have been a factor in Minzy's leaving, again, I don't blame her entirely for it. I understood that she's working hard not just for herself but also for the group. I saw an interview of CL a while back where she said that she hopes her US debut becomes successful so that 2NE1 can go mainstream globally. I was hoping for that, as well. Sadly it will have to come true without our baby Minzy. TT__TT

Anyway, I am still hoping and praying that this whole issue is just a nightmare and that papa YG is just ing trolling with us like the saddistic bastard that he is, and come summer, all four ladies of 2NE1 will come back, guns ablaze and slaying charts and haters all around. But if it is indeed final that Minzy is leaving for good, I will accept it. 

Right now, I'm just wishing that there is no bad blood among the girls and between Minzy and YGE. We don't know the truth about the whole issue and we can speculate all we want but that's only going to create more unnecessary rumors and animosity within the fandom, and we don't need that . Not now. Not ever.

I sincerely hope that Minzy's departure from YGE is amicable and that she will remain sisters with the other 2ne1 ladies. Such was the case in the departure of Gummy and Seven and I hope to see Minzy still friends with YG Family members. I hope they don't burn bridges. 11 years is not something that can and should be thrown away lightly. I am also thankful that Minzy worked hard as a 2NE1 member and shared with us her boundless talents. I will support her all the way in whatever path she chooses for herself in the future. I wish her all the success in her career and may she find happiness in whatever she wishes to do in the future. I hope other Blackjacks will support her as well. We all saw her grow up before our eyes and being a teenager under the limelight must have been tremendously exhausting but I'm just so proud and happy that baby maknae grew up to be a beautiful young woman.

As for 2NE1 (a friend of mind joked that they should change their name to '3in1'. LOL), I will await for their comeback and I will support them in the future. I'm not yet ready for a disbandment. God, if they disband I will cry harder than I did when Spice Girls broke up. (Yes, I'm old.) 

Lasty, I hope the fandom will be united in this issue since the last thing we need right now is to choose sides and fight amongst ourselves. As much as it is painful to accept that our baby Minzy is leaving, understand that if it makes her happy and it will aid in her growth as an artist and as a person, then we have to respect her decision. Let's show support to all the members and let us love them continuously as we have done so in the last seven years.

*fandomhugs*