BLACKPINK

BLACKPINK is a South Korean girl group formed by YG Entertainment and composed of Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. The company introduced the members individually in 2016, and the group debuted on August 8 that year with the single album Square One. Its two tracks, “Whistle” and “Boombayah,” immediately established a contrasting identity: the former used a spare, melodic hook, while the latter emphasized an explosive dance beat. Both songs reached No. 1 on South Korea’s Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart. The group followed with Square Two in November 2016, featuring “Playing with Fire” and “Stay,” then released “As If It’s Your Last” in 2017. In 2018, BLACKPINK’s “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” became a major international breakthrough. The single led the group’s first Korean mini-album, Square Up, and its music video became the most-viewed video by a Korean group on YouTube at the time. Square Up also made BLACKPINK the highest-charting female Korean act on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 at that point. BLACKPINK expanded its audience through collaborations. “Kiss and Make Up,” with Dua Lipa, appeared on Lipa’s 2018 album Dua Lipa: Complete Edition. In 2019, BLACKPINK performed at Coachella, becoming the first K-pop girl group to appear at the festival. Their 2019 mini-album Kill This Love included the title track and “Don’t Know What to Do,” and its title song set a YouTube record for the biggest 24-hour music-video debut at the time. The group released its first full-length album, The Album, in October 2020. It included “How You Like That,” “Lovesick Girls,” and collaborations with Selena Gomez on “Ice Cream” and Cardi B on “Bet You Wanna.” The Album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. In 2022, BLACKPINK returned with Born Pink, led by “Pink Venom” and “Shut Down.” Born Pink reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making BLACKPINK the first female Korean act to top that chart. Its world tour began in October 2022 and included a headline Coachella appearance in 2023. In 2023, all four members renewed their group contracts with YG Entertainment, while pursuing individual activities through separate arrangements. Their careers combine Korean releases, global collaborations, fashion partnerships, solo projects, and large-scale touring, while their group discography remains centered on sharply produced singles and visually elaborate performances.