Recently, 2NE1 announced a reunion and comeback tour in honor of the 15th anniversary.
Ahead of the tour, YG Entertainment revealed an official lightstick. Yet, many fans were not excited.
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オフィシャルライトスティック
✨ビジュアル解禁✨
＼@ygselect #2NE1 #투애니원 #WELCOMEBACK#YG © 2024 YG PLUS pic.twitter.com/6H2T24Tadz— YG JAPAN OFFICIAL (@YGJAPANofficial) September 20, 2024
Many pointed out that 2NE1 already had a lightstick, and they feel this update is a downgrade from the originals.
I had to see all three of them up close to erase the new ugly lightstick from my memory pic.twitter.com/9wSonioBPF
— flabby 🎀🌸🧣💗 (@notflabbygasted) September 20, 2024
JUSTICE FOR THIS DIVA!!!! pic.twitter.com/zTJReH03vF
— ? (@chaerryflavor) September 20, 2024
same feels, bro pic.twitter.com/A60SL3UWM5
— kaldag nina mino at wonwoo (@tamagoyakiaigoo) September 20, 2024
The original two 2NE1 lightsticks were unique and stood out from others. They fit the group’s fandom, BLACKJACK, which is taken from blackjack, “a card game where the closer you are to 21, the more you win.” So, the lightsticks fit the concept of the card game. The new lightstick appears too basic for fans, as the design incorporates the generic sphere shape.
the downgrade is diabolical pic.twitter.com/xPSX3OBCKB
— nette ✧ (@nolzapink) September 20, 2024
WE USED TO BE A PROPER NATION. 😭 https://t.co/nv1ZkND4El pic.twitter.com/g4qEBzCZHX
— norisheet (@ssssamae) September 20, 2024
Additionally, BLACKJACKs are alarmed by the apparent color change. 2NE1’s fandom color has always been hot pink.
What happened to our original pink and black color combination?
This is so not 2NE1. pic.twitter.com/0arlEZaCDn
— 2NE1 WORLD (@2ne1_worldxxi) September 20, 2024
tbh this is so disrespecful of yg. I'm so annoyed because not only did they change how the lightstick looks but also the color. We're always white or hotpink. IT WAS NEVER RED. https://t.co/t82VOz9G3H
— ً (@lawrinne) September 20, 2024
As a reminder, HOT PINK has always been 2NE1’s color. Despite this, YG seems to be launching new RED ligthsticks for the group’s comeback tour. https://t.co/Ks8gHvoTTH pic.twitter.com/Fr6stC9aN5
— 박봄 daily! (@ParkBomDaily) September 20, 2024
Yet, the new lightstick is giving red, not hot pink. This further upsets fans, who feel the group’s legacy is disregarded.
2NE1 color is hotpink, not red or any other colors!!!! YG better be making up his mind and not erasing 2NE1's legacy. pic.twitter.com/uqxR7LM9tm
— …..…….. (@ssantokki_12) September 20, 2024
this is 2NE1’s color!! https://t.co/psldKU0DuH pic.twitter.com/omyJHazV52
— CSH QUEEN (@missxxxvip) September 20, 2024
Some fans even had better ideas. They argued that even with a lightstick update, there could have been a better way to do it that maintained the group’s concept.
YOU COULD HAVE DONE BETTER YG pic.twitter.com/FULBS31vaz
— ＥＶ２１ 𓆩♤𓆪 (@Everything2NE1) September 20, 2024
I thought if I added the wings it would make me feel better 🤧🤧😭😭 pic.twitter.com/LE54A73iuk
— Nabi ☁︎ (@QueenDarong) September 20, 2024
Since BLACKJACKs don’t like the new lightstick, many are swearing not to buy it. Instead, they are demanding that YG Entertainment restock the original.
You're replacing the prettiest lightstick with a generic-styled one?? Restock the original 2NE1 bong! The winged one! OMG @ygent_official are you fxcking serious??! 😑 https://t.co/mahcRoMX0s pic.twitter.com/qogaZSjgJF
— Android 18 💫 (@android_atin) September 20, 2024
IS IT IMPOSSIBLE TO RESTOCK THE OLD LIGHTSTICK? 😭 pic.twitter.com/suESsI2uNn
— mmeloncakee (@mmeloncakee) September 20, 2024
the only 2NE1 lightstick we want, RESTOCK THIS https://t.co/IOTjGzEGYf pic.twitter.com/Q37IouvZO9
— ysa 🌠 (@dailytre4sure) September 20, 2024
On the other hand, 2NE1’s new concert merchandise has also received backlash for different reasons. Read more below.
“It’s No Longer 2012” — 2NE1’s New Concert Goods Spark Backlash
