K-pop group Blackpink has signed a new contract with their agency, ensuring that they will continue to perform together. The quartet, formed in 2016, is considered the world’s biggest K-pop girl group. The new contract is believed to be one of the most lucrative signed by any music group this year. The agency, YG Entertainment, stated that Blackpink plans to release new albums and go on world tours to repay their fans around the world. However, details of the individual contracts of the members are still being negotiated.

In South Korea, it is uncommon for K-pop groups to reunite after some members leave or refuse to renew their individual contracts with their management. This has happened to other popular YG acts in the past. Local newspaper Munhwa Ilbo reported that as of November, no Blackpink member had agreed to an individual contract with YG, and there were offers from rival agencies worth a significant amount of money. Fans of the group, who have been anxious since the group’s contract expired in August, are thrilled by the news of their continued collaboration.

Blackpink’s popularity is evident in their massive following on social media platforms. Their official YouTube channel has over 92 million subscribers, and each member has more than 70 million followers on Instagram. They have also represented major fashion brands and headlined international music festivals. Despite the positive news, YG Entertainment’s stock market value is still lower than it was six months ago, although their share price rose by more than 25% after the contract announcement.

In conclusion, Blackpink has signed a new contract to stay together as a group, bringing relief to their fans who were concerned about a potential split. The group plans to release new music and go on world tours. While the details of their individual contracts are still being negotiated, the members are celebrities in their own right and have a massive following on social media. The news of their continued collaboration has been met with excitement and positivity.

Original news source: Blackpink sign new contract ensuring K-pop group will stay together (BBC)

Listen:

Slow

Normal

Fast

Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Provide each group with a copy of the article or project it on a screen.
3. Instruct the groups to read the article and summarize the main points in their own words.
4. After a designated time, have each group share their summary with the class.
5. Encourage discussion and ask follow-up questions to deepen understanding.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Instruct each group to come up with a list of questions related to the article and Blackpink’s new contract.
3. Encourage the questions to be open-ended and thought-provoking.
4. Once the questions are prepared, have each group take turns asking their questions to the class.
5. Allow for discussion and debate, and encourage students to share their opinions and support them with reasons.

– Keyword Hangman
Instructions:
1. Write down keywords from the article on the board, leaving out a few letters or spaces.
2. Divide the class into two teams.
3. Call on a member from one team to choose a keyword and guess the missing letters or spaces.
4. If the student guesses correctly, their team earns a point.
5. Continue until all the keywords have been guessed or a predetermined number of rounds have been completed.
6. The team with the most points at the end wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Instruct each group to create a list of pros and cons related to Blackpink’s new contract.
3. Encourage the groups to consider various perspectives and possible outcomes.
4. After a designated time, have each group share their lists with the class.
5. Facilitate a discussion, allowing students to debate the pros and cons and share their own opinions.

– Future Predictions
Instructions:
1. Instruct each student to individually write down three predictions about Blackpink’s future based on the information in the article.
2. Encourage the predictions to be specific and supported by evidence from the article.
3. After a designated time, have the students share their predictions with a partner or in small groups.
4. Facilitate a discussion, allowing students to share their predictions with the class and discuss the likelihood of each one coming true.

Comprehension Questions:

1. When was Blackpink formed?
2. What is the name of their agency?
3. What are Blackpink’s plans for the future?
4. Why is it uncommon for K-pop groups in South Korea to reunite?
5. What is the significance of Blackpink’s social media following?
6. How has the news of Blackpink’s contract signing affected YG Entertainment’s stock market value?
7. Why were fans anxious about the group’s contract expiration?
8. How have the members of Blackpink achieved celebrity status on their own?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

K-pop (1)______ (2)______ has signed a new contract with their agency, ensuring that they will continue to perform together. The quartet, formed in 2016, is considered the world’s biggest K-pop girl group. The new contract is believed to be one of the most lucrative signed by any music group this year. The agency, YG Entertainment, stated that Blackpink plans to release new albums and go on world (3)______ to repay their fans around the world. However, details of the (4)______ contracts of the members are still being negotiated.

In South (5)______, it is uncommon for K-pop groups to reunite after some (6)______ leave or refuse to renew their individual contracts with their management. This has happened to other popular YG acts in the past. Local newspaper Munhwa Ilbo reported that as of November, no Blackpink member had agreed to an individual contract with YG, and there were offers from rival agencies (7)______ a (8)______ amount of money. Fans of the group, who have been anxious since the group’s contract expired in August, are thrilled by the news of their continued collaboration.

Blackpink’s popularity is evident in their massive following on social (9)______ platforms. Their (10)______ YouTube (11)______ has over 92 million subscribers, and each member has more than 70 million followers on Instagram. They have also represented major fashion brands and headlined international music (12)______. Despite the positive news, YG Entertainment’s stock market value is still lower than it was six months ago, although their share price rose by more than 25% after the (13)______ announcement.

In conclusion, Blackpink has signed a new contract to stay together as a group, bringing relief to their fans who were concerned about a potential split. The group plans to release new music and go on world tours. While the (14)______ of their individual (15)______ are still being (16)______, the members are celebrities in their own right and have a massive following on social media. The news of their continued collaboration has been met with excitement and positivity.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is the significance of Blackpink signing a new contract with their agency?
2. How would you feel if your favorite music group announced they were breaking up?
3. Do you think it’s common for K-pop groups to stay together for a long time? Why or why not?
4. Why do you think Blackpink’s popularity is so evident on social media platforms?
5. How do you think the members of Blackpink feel about negotiating their individual contracts?
6. What is the impact of Blackpink’s continued collaboration on their fans?
7. Do you think it’s important for music groups to release new albums and go on tours to repay their fans? Why or why not?
8. How do you think the members of Blackpink have built their massive following on social media?
9. What do you think are the challenges of negotiating individual contracts for each member of a music group?
10. How do you think the news of Blackpink’s continued collaboration will affect YG Entertainment’s stock market value?
11. Do you think it’s necessary for music groups to represent major fashion brands in order to be successful? Why or why not?
12. How do you think the members of Blackpink feel about the offers they received from rival agencies?
13. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of being a celebrity with a massive following on social media?
14. How do you think the news of Blackpink signing a new contract will impact the K-pop industry as a whole?
15. Do you think it’s important for music groups to have a positive and exciting image in order to maintain their popularity? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. lucrative
2. negotiate
3. reunite
4. expired
5. anxious
6. collaboration
7. following
8. relief
9. potential
10. split
11. celebrities
12. massive
13. platforms
14. festival
15. excitement

Meanings:
(A) A feeling of reassurance and relaxation following stress or anxiety
(B) Discuss or bargain in order to reach an agreement
(C) Having the possibility to happen or exist
(D) Famous or well-known people
(E) Producing a great deal of profit
(F) A series of performances of music, plays, films, etc., typically held annually
(G) A group of people who are interested in and support a particular person or thing
(H) Feeling worried or nervous
(I) Very large in size, amount, or quantity
(J) Come together again after being apart
(K) The action of working together with someone to produce or create something
(L) A feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness
(M) Divide or cause to divide into parts or groups
(N) Online platforms or websites used for social interaction and sharing content
(O) Come to the end of the period of validity or duration
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. When was Blackpink formed?
(a) 2016
(b) 2017
(c) 2018
(d) 2019

2. Which agency represents Blackpink?
(a) SM Entertainment
(b) YG Entertainment
(c) JYP Entertainment
(d) Big Hit Entertainment

3. What is the new contract signed by Blackpink considered to be?
(a) One of the least lucrative signed by any music group this year
(b) Average compared to other music group contracts this year
(c) Not mentioned in the article
(d) One of the most lucrative signed by any music group this year

4. What do Blackpink plan to do to repay their fans?
(a) Take a break from performing
(b) Release new albums and go on world tours
(c) Disband as a group
(d) Start individual solo careers

5. Is it common for K-pop groups in South Korea to reunite after some members leave or refuse to renew their contracts?
(a) Yes, it is common
(b) It depends on the group
(c) No, it is uncommon
(d) Not mentioned in the article

6. As of November, had any Blackpink member agreed to an individual contract with YG?
(a) No
(b) Yes
(c) Not mentioned in the article
(d) It is still being negotiated

7. How many subscribers does Blackpink’s official YouTube channel have?
(a) Over 70 million
(b) Over 100 million
(c) Over 92 million
(d) Not mentioned in the article

8. What happened to YG Entertainment’s stock market value after the contract announcement?
(a) It fell by more than 25%
(b) It remained the same
(c) Not mentioned in the article
(d) It rose by more than 25%

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. YG Entertainment’s stock market value is higher than it was six months ago, despite a 25% rise in share price after the contract announcement.
2. Blackpink is a K-pop group that has recently signed a new contract with their agency.
3. The new contract is believed to be one of the most lucrative signed by any music group this year.
4. Details of the individual contracts of the Blackpink members have already been finalized.
5. It is uncommon for K-pop groups in South Korea to reunite after some members leave or refuse to renew their contracts.
6. As of November, every Blackpink member had agreed to an individual contract with their agency, YG Entertainment.
7. Blackpink has a reasonable following on social media platforms, with just around 92 million subscribers on YouTube and approximately 70 million followers on Instagram for each member.
8. Blackpink plans to release new albums and go on world tours to repay their fans around the world.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the significance of Blackpink signing a new contract with their agency?
2. Why is it uncommon for K-pop groups in South Korea to reunite after some members leave or refuse to renew their contracts?
3. How have fans reacted to the news of Blackpink’s continued collaboration?
4. What are some of the achievements and successes of Blackpink as a group?
5. How has the contract announcement affected the stock market value of YG Entertainment?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. When was Blackpink formed?
Blackpink was formed in 2016.

2. What is the name of their agency?
Their agency is called YG Entertainment.

3. What are Blackpink’s plans for the future?
Blackpink plans to release new albums and go on world tours to repay their fans around the world.

4. Why is it uncommon for K-pop groups in South Korea to reunite?
It is uncommon for K-pop groups in South Korea to reunite because members often leave or refuse to renew their individual contracts with their management.

5. What is the significance of Blackpink’s social media following?
Blackpink has a massive following on social media, with over 92 million subscribers on YouTube and each member having more than 70 million followers on Instagram. This shows their popularity and influence.

6. How has the news of Blackpink’s contract signing affected YG Entertainment’s stock market value?
The news of Blackpink’s contract signing caused YG Entertainment’s share price to rise by more than 25%. However, their stock market value is still lower than it was six months ago.

7. Why were fans anxious about the group’s contract expiration?
Fans were anxious about the group’s contract expiration because it is uncommon for K-pop groups to reunite after some members leave or refuse to renew their contracts. There were also offers from rival agencies, which added to the uncertainty.

8. How have the members of Blackpink achieved celebrity status on their own?
The members of Blackpink have achieved celebrity status on their own through their individual talents and activities. They have represented major fashion brands, headlined international music festivals, and gained a massive following on social media.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) group
(2) Blackpink
(3) tours
(4) individual
(5) Korea
(6) members
(7) worth
(8) significant
(9) media
(10) official
(11) channel
(12) festivals
(13) contract
(14) details
(15) contracts
(16) negotiated
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. lucrative
Answer: (E) Producing a great deal of profit

2. negotiate
Answer: (B) Discuss or bargain in order to reach an agreement

3. reunite
Answer: (J) Come together again after being apart

4. expired
Answer: (O) Come to the end of the period of validity or duration

5. anxious
Answer: (H) Feeling worried or nervous

6. collaboration
Answer: (K) The action of working together with someone to produce or create something

7. following
Answer: (G) A group of people who are interested in and support a particular person or thing

8. relief
Answer: (A) A feeling of reassurance and relaxation following stress or anxiety

9. potential
Answer: (C) Having the possibility to happen or exist

10. split
Answer: (M) Divide or cause to divide into parts or groups

11. celebrities
Answer: (D) Famous or well-known people

12. massive
Answer: (I) Very large in size, amount, or quantity

13. platforms
Answer: (N) Online platforms or websites used for social interaction and sharing content

14. festival
Answer: (F) A series of performances of music, plays, films, etc., typically held annually

15. excitement
Answer: (L) A feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. When was Blackpink formed?
Answer: (a) 2016

2. Which agency represents Blackpink?
Answer: (b) YG Entertainment

3. What is the new contract signed by Blackpink considered to be?
Answer: (d) One of the most lucrative signed by any music group this year

4. What do Blackpink plan to do to repay their fans?
Answer: (b) Release new albums and go on world tours

5. Is it common for K-pop groups in South Korea to reunite after some members leave or refuse to renew their contracts?
Answer: (c) No, it is uncommon

6. As of November, had any Blackpink member agreed to an individual contract with YG?
Answer: (a) No

7. How many subscribers does Blackpink’s official YouTube channel have?
Answer: (c) Over 92 million

8. What happened to YG Entertainment’s stock market value after the contract announcement?
Answer: (d) It rose by more than 25%
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. YG Entertainment’s stock market value is higher than it was six months ago, despite a 25% rise in share price after the contract announcement. (Answer: False)
2. Blackpink is a K-pop group that has recently signed a new contract with their agency. (Answer: True)
3. The new contract is believed to be one of the most lucrative signed by any music group this year. (Answer: True)
4. Details of the individual contracts of the Blackpink members have already been finalized. (Answer: False)
5. It is uncommon for K-pop groups in South Korea to reunite after some members leave or refuse to renew their contracts. (Answer: True)
6. As of November, every Blackpink member had agreed to an individual contract with their agency, YG Entertainment. (Answer: False)
7. Blackpink has a reasonable following on social media platforms, with just around 92 million subscribers on YouTube and approximately 70 million followers on Instagram for each member. (Answer: False)
8. Blackpink plans to release new albums and go on world tours to repay their fans around the world. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧