Have you ever heard of K-pop? The answer is likely a resounding yes. Almost everyone has encountered K-pop in some form, whether through catchy tunes or viral dance videos. K-pop is characterized by its distinctive use of the Korean language, which may be unfamiliar to many fans. Despite the language barrier, people enjoy K-pop for its synchronized singing and dancing, outstanding choreography, and creative costumes, where every movement aligns with the lyrics. K-pop has taken the world by storm, with BLACKPINK standing out for their remarkable versatility and achieving global fame.

Who is BLACKPINK?

BLACKPINK is a South Korean girl group formed under YG Entertainment, one of South Korea’s leading music agencies. The group consists of four talented members: Kim Jisoo, Jennie Kim, Park Chaeyoung (Rosé), and Lalisa Manobal (Lisa).

Persona of the Members

Jennie Kim (Jennie) is the first member of BLACKPINK. She joined YG Entertainment at 14 and trained for six years, making her the longest-serving trainee in the group. Born in South Korea, she moved to New Zealand at nine. As the lead rapper and fashion icon, Jennie also writes songs for the group and was the first to debut as a solo artist in 2018.

Kim Jisoo (Jisoo), the oldest member, is affectionately referred to as “Unnie” (elder sister) due to her caring nature. Known for her stunning appearance and amiable personality, she has been trained for four years, marking her as a standout visual in the group.

Lalisa Manobal (Lisa) is the lead dancer, recognized for her stunning dance talent. Originally from Thailand, she successfully auditioned for YG Entertainment at 13 and trained for five years. Lisa has earned the title of the best dancer in South Korea.

Park Chaeyoung (Rosé) trained for four years after moving to South Korea from Australia, encouraged by her father to audition for YG. As the lead vocalist, she is renowned for her exceptional ability to hit high notes and loves playing the guitar.

Prologue of BLACKPINK

BLACKPINK, the largest K-pop girl group in the world, debuted on August 8, 2016, under YG Entertainment. BLACKPINK has made a significant impact in the music industry with a diverse discography that includes four mini albums: Square One, Square Two, Square Up, and Kill This Love. They have also released a notable digital single, As If It’s Your Last, and two full-length albums, The Album and Born Pink. In addition to their Korean releases, BLACKPINK has ventured into the Japanese market with four albums: Blackpink, Re:Blackpink, Blackpink In Your Area, and Kill This Love, showcasing their versatility and global appeal. Their debut album, Square One, marked the beginning of their incredible journey.

No Journey is a Bed of Roses

BLACKPINK exemplifies the idea that hard work pays off. They sacrificed personal enjoyment to achieve their current fame and success. Initially, nine girls were selected to form a group called “Pink Punk,” but as time went on, only four remained. Jennie described their early training as survival days, where they constantly honed their skills while awaiting their debut, which was filled with uncertainty.

Jennie’s parents hoped she would become a lawyer or professor, but she pursued her passion for singing despite the challenges. Lisa, at just 13, moved from Thailand to South Korea alone for her training, facing communication difficulties since she could only speak Korean. Jisoo, the eldest, earned the affectionate title of “Unnie” for her nurturing nature. Rosé also left her home in Australia and did not return for six years from her trainee days until debut.

Despite their different backgrounds and cultures, the struggles they faced together forged a strong bond among the four members, creating a tight-knit family.

BLACKPINK: The K-pop Queens Dominating the World

BLACKPINK made their debut with Square One on August 8, 2016, gaining fame with the song “Whistle,” which topped charts in South Korea. Their debut song “Boombayah” also achieved significant success, while “As If It’s Your Last” became the most downloaded track in South Korea. In a short span, they entered the US Global Album Chart.

The year 2018 marked an unprecedented turning point for BLACKPINK. Their third mini-album, Square Up, shattered historical music records, with the lead single “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” becoming the highest-ranked song on the Global Chart Hot 100 by a female K-pop group. It was also their first song to reach a billion views. They are the third and first Korean girl group to appear on the Billboard Digital Songs Chart.

This was just the beginning of a new era in the music industry. Their album Kill This Love surpassed 500 million streams on Spotify, making BLACKPINK the first group to achieve this milestone. They also became the first K-pop artists to perform at Coachella.

In 2020, their pre-release single “How You Like That” claimed the biggest debut on the Spotify US and Global Music Charts. The music video set the record for the most viewed music video on YouTube in 24 hours. With two lead music videos, their album The Album has become the top pre-selling and selling album.

Most recently, their 2022 album Born Pink further solidified their dominance with the single “Shut Down,” achieving unprecedented success.

Individual Talents of Each Member

In addition to group success, the members excel as solo artists. Jennie was the first to release a solo track, “Solo,” which became the most viewed music video by a female K-pop artist within 24 hours. She won Artist of the Year and Best Dance Performance at the 8th Gaon Chart Music Awards in 2019. Lisa released her solo album, Lalisa, becoming the first K-pop artist to win an MTV Video Music Award, with her song “Money” winning Best Dance Performance in 2021 and achieving high rankings on the US Global Music Chart. Rosé’s solo album, R, ranked among the top 20 albums of 2021, and Jisoo’s solo debut is eagerly anticipated, as reported by YG Entertainment.

Global Collaboration with BLACKPINK

BLACKPINK’s collaborations with global artists like Dua Lipa, Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, and Cardi B have further expanded their international recognition. The members serve as global ambassadors for prestigious brands such as Chanel, Celine, Dior, Saint Laurent, and Adidas, establishing themselves as the most stylish and influential fashionistas in the industry.

Emotions Run Through Their Music

Despite singing primarily in Korean, BLACKPINK’s music resonates with audiences worldwide. Music transcends language and it speaks to emotions that can be felt in any tongue. Each member conveys messages that encourage self-love, optimism, and the power of perseverance. Their music teaches us that perfection is subjective and that everyone has their unique beauty. BLACKPINK encourages us to empathize with others and appreciate the good in life, whether small or large.

“External beauty isn’t everything. What you see on the outside isn’t everything.” - BLACKPINK