SEOUL • Gong Minzy, 22, will leave Korean pop quartet 2NE1, but they will continue as a trio and launch a new song later this year, YG Entertainment said on Tuesday.

It said in a statement: "We held one-on-one talks with each member in the light of 2NE1's contract expiring on May 5. During the talks, we expressed our wish to renew their contracts and revitalise 2NE1 as a team. Unfortunately, Gong Minzy is no longer willing to continue with us.

"Because we fully understand and respect Gong Minzy's position and the difficult period she has been through due to the team's inactive status since two years ago, we feel more apologetic than regretful."

The statement referred to a drug scandal involving member Park Bom as having caused the halt in their activities. 2NE1 has not been active as a group since their album Crush in 2014, though some of the members have been active individually.

KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK