Overview of Blackpink
Blackpink is a South Korean girl group formed by YG Entertainment. The band comprises four members: Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. Recognised as the world’s most popular girl group, Blackpink has won many outstanding international awards. Pink is usually associated with feminism, and the band conceived the name Blackpink to contrast that perception.
Blackpink debuted in August 2016 with their single album ‘Square One’, which featured the songs ‘Whistle’ and ‘Boombayah’. YG Entertainment revealed during the debut that the name intends to convey that pretty isn’t everything; the band embodies more than beauty.
Since their debut in 2016, the band has released fewer than two dozen songs, and despite their small discography, their popularity has skyrocketed. Blackpink’s undeniable stage presence that goes along with their bilingual lyrics emphasises vulnerability and independence. The band comes up with different concepts for every song and is known for its unique video styling.
History, Formation & More
2010–2016: Formation & Pre-debut Activities
On November 14, 2011, YG Entertainment revealed that a new girl group would debut in the early half of 2012, featuring at least seven members. Later, YG Entertainment confirmed that members were selected through years of stiff competition, and Jang Hanna and Moon Sua, who were introduced to the public, are not in the lineup.
Jennie was the first group member revealed on June 1, 2016. She joined YG Entertainment as a trainee in 2010 after returning from New Zealand to South Korea. Lisa was revealed as a second member of the band on June 8, 2016. She was the only individual among 4,000 applicants to pass the audition held in Thailand and became the band’s first foreign trainee in 2011.
Jisoo was revealed as the new group’s third member on June 15, 2016. She joined YG Entertainment as a trainee in July 2011. On June 22, 2016, the final member of the band, Rosé, was introduced. She ranked first among 700 applicants in the 2012 YG Entertainment audition in Australia. On June 29, YG Entertainment made a final confirmation of the four band members and revealed its official name as Blackpink.
2016–2017: Debut, Rising Popularity, & Commercial Success
The first girl group to debut under YG Entertainment, Blackpink debuted in August 2016 with their single album ‘Square One, which featured songs ‘Whistle’ and ‘Boombayah’. Blackpink’s first music show performance aired on August 14, 2016, on SBS’s South Korean music programme ‘Inkigayo’. On November 1, 2016, Blackpink released their second single album, ‘Square Two’, consisting of tracks ‘Playing with Fire’ and ‘Stay’.
The band revealed the name of their fan club, “Blink,” on January 17, 2017. On June 22, Blackpink released their first standalone digital single, ‘As If It’s Your Last’, which became their first song to enter Billboard‘s Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
On July 20, 2017, Blackpink held a showcase at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, and later on August 30, 2017, the group made their Japanese debut. Their self-titled Japanese Extended Play peaked at the top of the Oricon Albums Chart.
2018–2019: International Breakthrough & First World Tour
On January 6, 2018, Blackpink released the first episode of their first reality show, Blackpink House. The band released their first Korean-language EP, ‘Square Up’ on June 15, 2018, which became the highest-charting album by a female Korean group.
‘Ddu-Du Ddu-Du’, the lead single from Square Up, garnered a total of 36.2 million views on YouTube within 24 hours of its release. It peaked at number one on the Gaon Digital Chart, while the other track, ‘Forever Young’, was second on the chart. Both songs were certified platinum by the KMCA for crossing 2,500,000 downloads and 100,000,000 streams in the country.
In the United States, ‘Ddu-Du Ddu-Du’ debuted at number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100, and in the United Kingdom, ‘Ddu-Du Ddu-Du’ debuted at number 78 on the UK Singles Chart, marking an international breakthrough for Blackpink.
Blackpink embarked on their first Japan tour, the Blackpink Arena Tour 2018, in Osaka from July 25 to 25 to promote their Japanese EP. On October 19, 2018, English singer Dua Lipa released the song ‘Kiss and Make Up’ with Blackpink, which became the group’s second entry in the UK Singles Chart.
In November 2018, the group announced additional tour dates for their In Your Area World Tour, which covered thirteen dates across Asia from January to March 2019. On April 5, 2019, Blackpink released their third extended play, ‘Kill This Love’, which debuted at number three on the Gaon Album Chart and number 24 on the Billboard 200 chart.
‘Kill this Love’ music video broke the record for the most views within 24 hours on YouTube, with 56.7 million views. On October 16, 2019, a Japanese version of ‘Kill This Love’ was released on the Japanese market. Blackpink performed at the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 12 and 19, 2019, making them the first female K-pop group to attend the festival.
2020–2021: The Album & the Show
The band worked with Lady Gaga on her sixth studio album, ‘Chromatica’. Their collaboration song ‘Sour Candy’ was released on May 28, 2020, as a promotional single.
On June 2, YG Entertainment confirmed that the members Rosé, Lisa, and Jisoo would release individual projects. On October 2, 2020, Blackpink released their debut studio album ‘The Album’, and its single ‘How You Like That’ became Blackpink’s fifth song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video broke five Guinness World Records.
On July 23, YG Entertainment announced a second single, ‘Ice Cream’ with American singer Selena Gomez, would be released on August 28. The group released their first Korean studio album, ‘The Album’, on October 2, 2020, with the main single ‘Lovesick Girls’, making them the first-ever million-selling K-pop girl group.
On October 14, 2020, a documentary film named ‘Blackpink: Light Up the Sky’ premiered on Netflix, showing the four years since the group’s debut in 2016. On December 2, Blackpink announced their collaboration with YouTube Music for their first live-stream concert. The concert was held on January 31, 2021.
Blackpink released a Japanese version of ‘The Album’ on August 3, 2021, with Japanese versions for four tracks. On August 4, a documentary film ‘Blackpink: The Movie’ was released into theatres across the world as well as in South Korea, showing exclusive interviews and live performances.
2022–Present: Born Pink & Second World Tour
On July 12, YG Entertainment revealed that Blackpink would hold a virtual in-game concert called “Blackpink: The Virtual in PUBG Mobile” from July 22 to 30. On July 29, 2022, a special track titled ‘Ready for Love’ was released with an animated music video. The band confirmed that the group would embark on their second world tour at the end of the year.
Blackpink released a pre-release single ‘Pink Venom’ on August 19, which peaked at number two on South Korea’s Circle Digital Chart and became the first song by a Korean group to top the ARIA Singles Chart in Australia.
The band released their second studio album ‘Born Pink’ on September 16, 2022, and the lead single ‘Shut Down’ became Blackpink’s second song to top the Billboard Global 200. ‘Born Pink’ received worldwide acclaim. Following this, Blackpink embarked on the Born Pink World Tour, which began in Seoul on October 15, 2022.
During the tour, the band held many live performances and members’ solo releases: ‘R’ (2021) by Rosé, ‘Lalisa’ (2021) by Lisa, ‘Me’ (2023) by Jisoo, and ‘You & Me’ (2023) by Jennie. Blackpink headlined the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 15 and 22, 2023.
During an encore stadium tour in July in France and the United States, Blackpink performed at Oracle Park, Allegiant Stadium, and Dodger Stadium, marking the third female act in history.
The Born Pink World Tour concluded on September 17 with two finale concerts in Seoul, making it the most-attended concert tour by a Korean girl group. Blackpink members’ contract with YG Entertainment is set to expire in August. YG Entertainment released a statement in July confirming that contract renewals are currently under discussion. On December 5, 2023, YG Entertainment confirmed that all four members of Blackpink had renewed their contracts.
Members
Jisoo
Kim Ji-soo, known by the stage name Jisoo, is the lead vocalist of Blackpink. Jisoo was born on January 3, 1995, and raised in Gunpo, a small city in South Korea. She is the only band member who was born and raised in South Korea. In August 2011, she became a trainee at YG Entertainment for five years before joining the group on August 8, 2016. The oldest member of the band, Jisoo, was the third member to join Blackpink. Although she is not fluent in speaking English, she can speak Korean, Japanese and Chinese.
Jennie
Jennie Kim (Jennie) is a South Korean rapper, actress, singer, and the main rapper of Blackpink. She was born on January 16, 1996, and raised in South Korea. Jennie studied in New Zealand for five years before returning to South Korea in 2010. She was the first member of the band to be revealed by YG Entertainment and the first band member to release an individual track. Jennie debuted as an official Blackpink member in August 2016. She speaks fluent English, Korean and Japanese.
Rosé
Roseanne Park (Rosé), whose real name is Park Chae-young, is the main vocalist and lead dancer of Blackpink. She was born on February 11, 1997. Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, Rosé signed with South Korean label YG Entertainment following a successful audition in 2012. She debuted as an official band member in August 2016 after completing four years of training. Rosé, the main singer of Blackpink, is known for her recognisable voice, and she was one of the first K-pop stars to attend the Met Gala.
Lisa
Lalisa/Pranpriya Manoban (Lisa) is the main dancer, lead rapper, and sub-vocalist of Blackpink. She was born on March 27, 1997 and raised in Thailand. In 2010, at age 13, Lisa auditioned to join YG Entertainment in Thailand. After the successful audition, she moved to South Korea to begin her formal training as a trainee in 2011. Lisa debuted as an official band member in August 2016. She was the second member to join Blackpink and is the youngest of the group.
Discography
- Born Pink (2022)
- The Album (2020)
Awards
- Circle Chart Music Awards 2024
Social Hot Star of the Year
- Seoul Music Awards 2024
World Best Artist
- Asian Pop Music Awards 2023
Top 20 Songs of the Year (Overseas), ‘The Girls’
- Billboard Music Awards 2023
Top K-Pop Touring Artist - Circle Chart Music Awards 2023
Mubeat Global Choice Award – Female - Golden Disc Awards 2023
Best Album (Bonsang), ‘Born Pink’
- Hanteo Music Awards 2023
Global Artist Award – South America - MTV MIAW Awards 2023
K-Pop Domination - Seoul Music Awards 2023
Main Award (Bonsang), ‘Born Pink’ - Webby Awards 2023
Best Partnership or Collaboration, Features (Social), #PinkVenomChallenge - Asia Artist Awards 2022
DCM Popularity Award – Female Singer - Asian Pop Music Awards 2022
Best Album of the Year (Overseas)
Song of the Year (Overseas)
Top 20 Songs of the Year (Overseas)
Top 20 Albums of the Year (Overseas) - Capricho Awards 2022
Group of the Year - MAMA Awards 2022
Best Female Group
Best Music Video
Worldwide Fans’ Choice Top 10 - MTV Europe Music Awards 2022
Best Metaverse Performance, Blackpink: The Virtual - MTV Video Music Awards 2022
Best Metaverse Performance, Blackpink: The Virtual - MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2022
Best Group Video – International - RTHK International Pop Poll Awards 2022
Top Album Award – Korean - Seoul Success Awards 2022
Popular Culture Grand Prize – Singer - Asia Artist Awards 2021
U+Idol Live Popularity Award – Female Group - Circle Chart Music Awards 2021
Artist of the Year – Digital Music (June), ‘How You Like That’
Artist of the Year – Digital Music (October), ‘Lovesick Girls’
Mubeat Global Choice Award – Female
Social Hot Star of the Year - Golden Disc Awards 2021
Best Album (Bonsang), ‘The Album’
Best Digital Song (Bonsang), ‘How You Like That’ - Korea First Brand Awards 2021
Best Female Idol
- MTV MIAW Awards Brazil 2021
Global Hit, ‘Lovesick Girls’ - RTHK International Pop Poll Awards 2021
Top Ten International Gold Songs, ‘Lovesick Girls’ - Tokopedia WIB Indonesia K-Pop Awards 2021
The Most Pretty Savage - Weibo Starlight Awards 2021
Favourite Collaboration, ‘Ice Cream’ (with Selena Gomez) - Asian Pop Music Awards 2020
Best Album (Overseas), ‘The Album’
Best Group (Overseas)
- Bugs Music Awards 2020
20th Anniversary Awards – Most Loved Music, ‘Ddu-Du Ddu-Du’ - iHeartRadio Music Awards 2020
Favourite Music Video Choreography, ‘Kill This Love’ - Joox Hong Kong Top Music Awards 2020
Fan Favorite K-Pop, ‘How You Like That’ - Joox Thailand Music Awards 2020
K-Pop Artist of the Year - MAMA Awards 2020
2020 Visionary
Best Dance Performance Female Group, ‘How You Like That’
Best Female Group
Worldwide Fans’ Choice Top 10 - Melon Music Awards 2020
Best Dance – Female, ‘How You Like That’
Top 10 Artists - MTV MIAW Awards Brazil 2020
Best International Feature, ‘Sour Candy’ (with Lady Gaga) - MTV Video Music Awards 2020
Song of Summer, ‘How You Like That’ - QQ Music Boom Boom Awards 2020
Most Popular Overseas Group - Spotify Awards 2020
Most Listened K-pop Artist (Female) - Tencent Music Entertainment Awards 2020
Best Overseas Group - Variety‘s Hitmakers Awards 2020
Group of the Year - Circle Chart Music Awards 2019
Artist of the Year – Digital Music (June), ‘Ddu-Du Ddu-Du’ - Golden Disc Awards 2019
Cosmopolitan Artist Award
Best Digital Song (Bonsang) - People’s Choice Awards 2019
The Concert Tour of 2019
The Group of 2019
The Music Video of 2019, ‘Kill This Love’ - Shorty Awards 2019
Best in Music - Soompi Awards 2019
Best Female Group - Teen Choice Awards 2019
Choice Song: Group, ‘Ddu-Du Ddu-Du’ - Tencent Music Entertainment Awards 2019
Best Japanese and Korean Artist of the Year - V Live Awards 2019
Global Artist Top 10
Global Artist Top 12 - Circle Chart Music Awards 2018
World New Artist Award - Elle Style Awards 2018
K-Style Icon - Golden Disc Awards 2018
Best Digital Song (Bonsang), ‘As If It’s Your Last’ - Japan Gold Disc Awards 2018
Best 3 New Artists (Asia) - MAMA Awards 2018
Worldwide Fans’ Choice Top 10 - MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2018
Best Dance Video, ‘Ddu-Du Ddu-Du’ - Seoul Music Awards 2018
Main Award (Bonsang) - V Live Awards 2018
Global Artist Top 10 - Circle Chart Music Awards 2017
Artist of the Year – Digital Music (August), ‘Whistle’
Artist of the Year – Digital Music (November), ‘Playing with Fire’
New Artist of the Year – Digital - Golden Disc Awards 2017
Rookie Artist of the Year - Philippine K-pop Awards 2017
Best Female Group - Seoul Music Awards 2017
New Artist of the Year - Soompi Awards 2017
Rookie of the Year - V Live Awards 2017
Global Rookie Top 5 - Asia Artist Awards 2016
Rookie Singer Award - Hallyu K Fans’ Choice Awards 2016
Best Girl Group
Best Rookie Group - MAMA Awards 2016
Best Music Video, ‘Whistle’
Best of Next Female Artist - Melon Music Awards 2016
Best New Artist
Interesting Facts about Blackpink
- The band debuted in 2016.
- Highest-charting female K-pop group.
- Blackpink is a bilingual group; along with Korean, group members are fluent in English and often include English lyrics in their songs.
- Each band member has their unique talents and interests: Jisoo is trained in acting, Rosé is a skilled guitarist, Jennie is known for her rap skills, and Lisa is a talented dancer.
- ‘Blackpink’ has worked with many international artists, including Cardi B, Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez.
- In 2020, Blackpink released their own Netflix documentary, ‘Blackpink: Light Up the Sky’.
- The band’s name came from contract colours: a dark and edgy colour like black and a cute and softer colour like pink, meant to reflect the different sides of Blackpink’s members.
- Blackpink is referred to as ‘Most Influential Celebrities’ by Forbes magazine.
- The first-ever female K-pop group to headline the event at the annual music and arts festival Coachella, held in California.
- Blackpink has rerecorded some of their songs in Japanese owing to their massive Japanese fanbase.
- The band is the first girl group to debut at YG Entertainment in seven years.
- Blackpink’s members are ambassadors of huge fashion brands such as Celine, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel and Dior.
- Blackpink girls lived in a house in Mapo-gu, South Korea, and their day-to-day lives were streamed through a show named ‘Blackpink House’.
FAQs
- How many members are in Blackpink?
Blackpink has four members: Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. - When did Blackpink debut?
The band debuted on August 08, 2016, under the biggest K-pop label YG Entertainment. - What are Blackpink fans called?
Fans are called ‘BLINKS’: formed by using the words “BL” and “INK” from the group name.
- Which Blackpink song was featured in Amphibia?
Blackpink’s first standalone digital single, ‘As If It’s Your Last’ was featured in the Disney animated television series ‘Amphibia’. - Are Blackpink members allowed to date?
YG Entertainment imposed a strict dating ban policy. So, Blackpink members are not allowed to date. - Are Blackpink Korean?
Jisoo and Jennie are Koreans, whereas Lisa is from Thailand and Rosé was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia. - How did Blackpink become famous?
Their debut song ‘Boombayah’ peaked at number 7 on the Gaon Digital Chart earning them worldwide popularity. - Can Blackpink speak Japanese?
Jisoo and Jennie are fluent in the language while Rosé and Lisa know basic Japanese. - Can Blackpink drive?
All the band members except Rosé drive. Rosé hasn’t got her driving license yet. - What is Blackpink’s official Instagram account?
blackpinkofficial with 57 Million followers.
