Why split the resistance on either side of an LED?
BOM optimization is a likely candidate. The value 2k is probably used elsewhere and adding another value would mean one more line on the BOM and one more slot in the pick-and-place machine.
Another BOM optimization could be availability. For example two 0603 resistors are easier to source than one 0805 (for power handling). You mention an eight resistor in SOIC-16. That’s certainly odd, but if you needed that special type of resistor elsewhere, you had two of the available and the layout allows it, why not use them and save a few cents?