Blackpink facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Blackpink
Blackpink in 2024 From left to right: Lisa, Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé
Background information
Origin	Seoul, South Korea
Genres	K-pop EDM hip-hop trap
Years active	2016 (2016)–present
Labels	YG YGEX Interscope Universal Polydor

Members	Jisoo Jennie Rosé Lisa

Korean name
Hangul	블랙핑크
RR	Beullaekpingkeu
MR	Pŭllaekp'ingk'ŭ

Blackpink (Hangul: 블랙핑크) is a super popular South Korean girl group. They were formed by YG Entertainment and have four amazing members: Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. Many people call them the "biggest girl group in the world." They are known for leading the Korean Wave and for their "girl crush" style in K-pop. This style is all about being confident and strong as a girl.

Blackpink started their journey in August 2016 with their first single album, Square One. This album included "Whistle", which was their first song to hit number one in South Korea. Another song, "Boombayah", topped the US Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart. Later that year, they released Square Two. Their song "Playing with Fire" was the first by a Korean girl group to chart on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100.

The group's fame grew even more with their hit song "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" (2018). This was the first song by a Korean female group to enter the UK Singles Chart. Its music video was also the first by a Korean group to get over one and two billion views on YouTube. Their music videos for "Kill This Love" (2019) and "How You Like That" (2020) broke records for views in the first 24 hours. "How You Like That" even set five Guinness World Records.

Blackpink's first studio album, The Album (2020), was the first by a female group in South Korea to sell one million copies. Their next album, Born Pink (2022), sold two million copies. It was also the first album by a girl group to reach number one on the US Billboard 200 since 2008. It was also the first by a Korean girl group to top both the Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart. The album's main song, "Pink Venom" (2022), was the first by a Korean group to hit number one on Australia's ARIA Singles Chart. It was also the first by a girl group to reach number one on the Billboard Global 200.

To support Born Pink, Blackpink went on the Born Pink World Tour (2022–23). This tour became the highest-earning concert tour ever by a female group and an Asian act. Blackpink also made history as the first Asian act to headline Coachella, a huge music festival.

Blackpink is one of the best-selling girl groups of all time, with billions of streams and millions of records sold. They have the most subscribers and most views for a music artist channel on YouTube. They are also the most-followed and most-streamed girl group on Spotify. Blackpink has won many awards, including Golden Disc Awards, MAMA Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards. They were the first girl group in the 21st century to win Group of the Year at the MTV VMAs.

Outside of music, they work with many brands and are known for their fashion sense. They have also worked to raise awareness about climate change. In 2023, they were even made honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for their environmental efforts. Time magazine named them 2022 Entertainer of the Year. Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in has praised them for spreading K-pop and Korean culture around the world.

Blackpink's Journey to Stardom

How Blackpink Was Formed

Blackpink started to come together in 2010. YG Entertainment held auditions all over the world to find talented young people. They wanted to create a new girl group, following their successful group 2NE1. The members described their training as being like a full-time pop-star school. Jennie said it was "more strict than school." Rosé compared it to a talent show with dorm rooms. It was especially hard for members who came from outside South Korea. They had to get used to the fast training and a new culture.

YG Entertainment announced in May 2016 that the new girl group would debut in July. The members were chosen after years of tough competition.

Meet the Members

Jennie was the first member introduced on June 1, 2016. She joined YG Entertainment in 2010 after moving from New Zealand. She had already appeared in music videos and songs with other artists.

Lisa was revealed as the second member on June 8, 2016. She was the only person out of 4,000 to pass the 2010 YG audition in Thailand. She became the company's first foreign trainee in 2011. Lisa also appeared in a music video for Taeyang.

Jisoo was the third member introduced on June 15, 2016. She joined YG Entertainment in 2011. Before her debut, she appeared in many advertisements and music videos. She also had a small role in a TV drama called The Producers.

Rosé was the last member revealed on June 22, 2016. She was first among 700 people at a 2012 YG audition in Australia. After that, she moved to Seoul to start her training. She also sang on a song with G-Dragon before her official debut.

The official logo of Blackpink

On June 29, YG Entertainment confirmed the group would have four members and be named Blackpink. The name means "pretty isn't everything." It shows that they have both beauty and great talent. Other names considered were Pink Punk and Baby Monster. Blackpink released their first dance practice video on July 6, which got a lot of attention. Their debut was set for August 8, 2016.

Debut and Growing Popularity

Blackpink officially debuted on August 8, 2016, with their single album Square One. It featured "Boombayah" and "Whistle". Both songs quickly became hits. "Whistle" reached number one in South Korea. Blackpink performed on TV for the first time on August 14, 2016. They won their first award just 14 days after their debut.

Blackpink performing "Playing with Fire" in 2016

On November 1, 2016, Blackpink released their second single album, Square Two. It included "Playing with Fire" and "Stay". "Playing with Fire" was their second song to top the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart. It was also the first K-pop girl group song to chart on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100. Blackpink won many new artist awards that year. Billboard even called them one of the best new K-pop groups of 2016.

On January 17, 2017, Blackpink announced their fan club name: "Blink." It's a mix of "black" and "pink." On June 22, they released "As If It's Your Last". This song had a brighter, "pink" concept, different from their earlier "black" concept. It became their third number-one single on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart. Its music video broke records for views and likes by a Korean girl group on YouTube.

Blackpink performing "As If It's Your Last" in 2017

Blackpink held a showcase in Tokyo, Japan, on July 20, 2017. Over 14,000 people attended, and 200,000 tried to buy tickets. They officially debuted in Japan on August 30, 2017, with a self-titled Japanese EP. This EP topped the Oricon Albums Chart.

Global Success and First World Tour

In 2018, Blackpink released their first reality show, Blackpink House. It showed the members on vacation. On June 15, 2018, they released their first Korean EP, Square Up. This EP reached number one in South Korea. It also became the highest-charting album by a Korean girl group on the Billboard 200 at that time. The main song, "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du", was a huge hit. It was the first song by a Korean girl group to enter the UK Singles Chart. It also became the first K-pop group music video to reach one billion views on YouTube.

Blackpink at the Seoul Music Awards in 2018

Blackpink went on their first Japan tour, the Blackpink Arena Tour 2018. They performed for a sold-out crowd of 50,000 people in Osaka. On September 12, they announced their first concert in Seoul. This concert was the start of their In Your Area World Tour. This tour continued through 2019 and early 2020. It became the highest-earning tour by a Korean girl group.

On October 19, 2018, Blackpink collaborated with English singer Dua Lipa on the song "Kiss and Make Up". This song was their second to chart in the UK. It was also the first song by a Korean group to be certified platinum in Australia. In October 2018, Blackpink signed with Interscope Records. This helped them reach more fans outside Asia.

A crowd at Blackpink's Seoul concert in 2018

Blackpink made their American debut in February 2019. They appeared on popular TV shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. In March, they were the first K-pop girl group to be on the cover of Billboard magazine. Their third EP, Kill This Love, was released on April 5, 2019. Its music video broke the record for most views in 24 hours on YouTube.

After the EP, Blackpink performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2019. They were the first female K-pop group to perform there. Their performance was praised by critics and fans.

The Album and Online Concerts

On May 28, 2020, Blackpink released "Sour Candy" with Lady Gaga. This song became their first top 40 hit in the US. It also reached the top ten in Australia. On June 26, they released "How You Like That". This song topped the charts in South Korea. Its music video broke five Guinness World Records for views in 24 hours. It also won Song of Summer at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards.

Blackpink in 2020

On August 28, Blackpink released "Ice Cream" with American singer Selena Gomez. This song became their highest-charting song in the US.

Blackpink's first Korean studio album, The Album, came out on October 2, 2020. "Lovesick Girls" was the main single. The Album set a record for first-week sales for a Korean girl group. Blackpink became the first K-pop girl group to sell over one million copies. The album reached number two on the Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart. This made Blackpink the highest-charting Korean female act on both charts.

Their first documentary film, Blackpink: Light Up the Sky, premiered on Netflix on October 14, 2020. It showed their journey since 2016. Blackpink also held their first online concert, "The Show", on January 31, 2021. Over 280,000 people bought tickets to watch the show.

In August 2021, a Japanese version of The Album was released. On August 4, a documentary film called Blackpink: The Movie was released in theaters. It included interviews and live performances.

Born Pink and Record-Breaking Tour

On July 6, 2022, YG Entertainment announced Blackpink was preparing a new album and a world tour. They also held a virtual concert called Blackpink: The Virtual in PUBG Mobile. A special song, "Ready for Love", was previewed during this event.

Blackpink performing in London in 2022

On August 19, 2022, Blackpink released "Pink Venom". This song topped the Billboard Global 200 for two weeks. It was the first number-one song by a girl group on that chart. It also became the first song by a Korean group to top the ARIA Singles Chart in Australia. Blackpink performed "Pink Venom" at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards. They were the first female K-pop group to perform at the show.

On September 16, 2022, Blackpink released their second studio album, Born Pink. The single "Shut Down" also topped the Billboard Global 200. Born Pink became the first K-pop girl group album to sell over two million copies. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in the US. It was the first album by a female Korean act to top that chart. It also reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.

After the album, Blackpink started the Born Pink World Tour on October 15, 2022. This tour included songs from Born Pink and the members' solo releases. The tour continued into 2023 with stadium shows.

Blackpink headlining Coachella 2023

Blackpink headlined the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 15 and 22, 2023. They made history as the first Asian act to be a headliner. Their performance was praised as a historic moment for K-pop. On July 2, Blackpink became the first Korean band to headline a major UK festival. The Born Pink tour ended on September 17, 2023. It had 1.8 million attendees, making it the most-attended concert tour by a Korean girl group. It also became the highest-earning concert tour by a female group ever.

Recent Activities and Future Plans

Blackpink's contracts with YG Entertainment were renewed on December 5, 2023, for group activities. YG Entertainment promised a new album and world tour.

Blackpink at a film premiere in 2024

A concert film celebrating their eighth anniversary, Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] in Cinemas, was released in theaters worldwide on July 31, 2024. Blackpink also hosted a "pink carpet" event for the film in Seoul on August 9, 2024. YG Entertainment's founder confirmed a 2025 comeback and world tour for Blackpink.

Blackpink released the first teaser for their upcoming tour on February 5, 2025. On February 19, they announced dates for a world tour starting on July 5, 2025. This tour includes a stop at London's Wembley Stadium, making them the first K-pop girl group to perform there. On May 3, 2025, Lisa shared that Blackpink's third album is coming soon. The tour's title was revealed as the Deadline World Tour on May 16, 2025. Blackpink first revealed their comeback single, "Jump", at the tour's first show on July 5, 2025. The song was officially released on July 11, 2025.

Blackpink's Unique Style

Music Style and Themes

Blackpink's music is mostly EDM and pop. It also has elements of hip-hop and trap. They use different styles like R&B, Arabic music, and rock. Time magazine described their music as a mix of "bold rapping, powerful singing and chic styling." A key part of their sound is the use of strong bass drops before the chorus.

Their song lyrics often talk about being independent and strong as a woman. They also sing about breakups and relationships. Jisoo shared that the members are involved in creating their music from the very beginning. They help build the songs and add their own feelings. Billboard said that Blackpink "rewrote the definition of K-pop."

Inspirations

Early in their career, Blackpink said they wanted to be like their labelmates 2NE1. They also wanted to show their own unique style. In 2023, the group members shared that they were inspired by TLC and the Spice Girls. Jennie said they admired TLC's vocals and hip-hop style. She also liked the distinct personalities of the Spice Girls.

Blackpink members also see Lady Gaga as a big musical influence. Jennie remembered how she loved the creativity and fashion in Lady Gaga's "Telephone" music video. Other artists they have mentioned as influences include Ariana Grande, Cardi B, and Selena Gomez.

Blackpink's Impact and Influence

Blackpink has become a very important group in K-pop. They are called the "biggest girl group in the world" by many sources. Vogue and BBC News call them the "biggest K-pop girl band on the planet." Billboard and The New York Times call them "K-pop Queens."

Blackpink's Born Pink World Tour in London, 2022

In South Korea, they have often ranked high on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 list. They were the first girl group to be on Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list. They were also named on the 2019 Time 100 Next list of rising stars. This was for helping Korean artists break language barriers and perform globally. Bloomberg wrote that Blackpink, along with BTS, has reached a level of global fame never seen before in music.

Blackpink is recognized for changing how K-pop artists are seen globally. They are viewed as iconic figures, like Western pop stars. They have become a group with "enormous influence worldwide." They have gone beyond just being a music group to being their own brand. In 2020, CJ E&M honored them for spreading Korean pop culture. Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in also praised Blackpink. He said they helped promote South Korea's image around the world.

The Recording Academy noted that Blackpink's success took K-pop girl groups to a new level. Billboard said Blackpink helped "dismantle the lingering walls between 'K-pop' and the American mainstream." They called them "the most successful K-pop girl group to have impacted the U.S. market." After Blackpink's global success in 2020, many South Korean girl groups started using more English lyrics. This was to reach more listeners outside Korea.

Blackpink has a huge following online. They became the most-subscribed music group on YouTube in 2019. They became the most-subscribed female artist in 2020. In 2021, they became the most-subscribed music act overall. As of July 2023, they have over 90 million subscribers. They are also the most-followed girl group on Spotify. On Instagram, the Blackpink members are the four most-followed people in South Korea.

Other Activities

Brand Partnerships

Blackpink in an advertisement for PUBG Mobile

Blackpink has worked with many different brands. They were ambassadors for Kia Motors, which sponsored their In Your Area World Tour. In North America, they partnered with Jazwares to create dolls and toys based on their music video outfits. In June 2020, they worked with Zepeto, a 3D avatar service. Fans could create avatars that looked like the members. Blackpink also teamed up with the game PUBG Mobile.

In Asia, Blackpink endorsed Samsung. They promoted Samsung's electronics products. In August 2019, Samsung even released a Blackpink Special Edition set. Blackpink also became the first regional brand ambassador for the e-commerce platform Shopee. They also worked with Thai bank KBank and Pepsi in the Asia-Pacific region.

In South Korea, Blackpink has been a brand ambassador for Sprite Korea, Woori Bank, and Adidas. They also worked with luxury fashion brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior Cosmetics. In July 2018 and August 2020, Blackpink ranked first in brand reputation among all artists in Korea.

Helping Others

Blackpink has also done a lot of charity work. In December 2018, they donated prize money to low-income families in South Korea. In April 2019, they donated money to help victims of a wildfire in South Korea. They did the same in March 2022 for other wildfires.

In April 2020, Blackpink released face masks. All the money from sales went to MusiCares. This fund helped people in the music industry affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In December 2020, the group spoke out about climate change. They encouraged their fans to learn about it and help. On February 25, 2021, Blackpink was made official advocates for COP26. This is a big meeting about climate change. They even received a personal letter from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson. In November 2023, King Charles III honored Blackpink. He praised their work as advocates for environmental sustainability.

Awards and Achievements

Blackpink at the 32nd Golden Disc Awards

Blackpink has won many awards. These include Circle Chart Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, MAMA Awards, Melon Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and People's Choice Awards. They are the first Korean girl group to win an MTV Video Music Award. They are also the first to be nominated at the Brit Awards. As of 2024, Blackpink has earned 40 billion official global streams. They have sold over 20 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.

After "How You Like That" was released in June 2020, Blackpink broke five Guinness World Records. This included the most-viewed YouTube video in the first 24 hours. In 2021, Blackpink won the Guinness World Record for the most-subscribed band on YouTube. They extended this record in 2024 with over 93 million subscribers. They are now the most subscribed music act overall on YouTube.

In June 2022, Blackpink became only the third girl group in history to be on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. The others were Destiny's Child and the Spice Girls. In August 2022, Blackpink won three more Guinness World Records. This was for being the first K-pop girl group to top the UK and US album charts with Born Pink. Time magazine named Blackpink the Entertainer of the Year for 2022. This was for their impact in music, fashion, and acting.

In 2023, Blackpink won the Guinness World Record for the most-streamed female group on Spotify. They extended this record in 2024 with over 13 billion streams. They also won the Guinness World Record for the most viewed music channel on YouTube for a group. In November 2023, King Charles III made the members of Blackpink honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This was for their work as advocates for COP26.

Blackpink Members

Jisoo (지수) – She sings in the group.
Jennie (제니) – She is a rapper and also sings.
Rosé (로제) – She sings and is a main dancer.
Lisa (리사) – She is a main dancer, a rapper, and also sings.

Blackpink's Music

Studio Albums

The Album (2020)
Born Pink (2022)

Tours and Concerts

Main Tours

Blackpink Arena Tour (2018)
In Your Area World Tour (2018–2020)
Born Pink World Tour (2022–2023)
Deadline World Tour (2025–2026)

Main Concerts

Blackpink Japan Premium Debut Showcase (2017)
2019 Private Stage [Chapter 1] (2019)
YG Palm Stage ― 2021 Blackpink: The Show (2021)
Blackpink: The Virtual (2022)

Blackpink on Screen

Blackpink House (2018)
YG Future Strategy Office (2018)
Blackpink X Star Road (2018)
Blackpink Diaries (2019)
24/365 with Blackpink (2020)
Blackpink: Light Up the Sky (2020)
Blackpink: The Movie (2021)
Born Pink Memories (2022–2023)
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas (2024)