Right from the start, BLACKPINK has mesmerized the K-pop scene with their extraordinary talents. They have become a force to be reckoned with, surpassing even those who came before them. This group of four talented South Korean artists made their debut in 2016 and swiftly became one of the most sensational acts in the music industry. Let’s take a look at the incredible journey of BLACKPINK, from their humble beginnings to their rapid ascent as one of the most renowned names in global music.
BLACKPINK, a four-member girl group from South Korea under YG Entertainment, made their debut in 2016 with the songs Boombayah and Whistle, marking the most successful K-pop debut to date. Boombayah holds the distinction of being the first and only K-pop debut song to reach 1 billion views on YouTube thus far. Since their debut, BLACKPINK has garnered massive popularity across various platforms, including social media and YouTube. Each member—Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé—brings exceptional talent to the group, leading them to smash multiple records and consistently appear on the most-played lists.
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BLACKPINK’s formation traces back to YG Entertainment’s global tryouts for preteen and teenage recruits, aimed at creating a new girl group following the success of their first major group, 2NE1. Preparations for BLACKPINK’s debut began as early as 2011 when YG Entertainment announced plans for a new girl group to debut in the early half of 2012, initially intending to feature at least 9 members. It wasn’t until May 18, 2016, that YG Entertainment finally confirmed the debut of the girl group in July of the same year. The agency stated that the members were selected after years of intense competition and training.
Jennie was unveiled as the first member of the group on June 1, 2016. She had been a trainee at YG Entertainment since 2010 and was introduced to the public for the first time in 2012 through a photo titled “Who’s that girl?” on the company’s website. Jennie’s journey to debut continued with various collaborations, including starring in G-Dragon’s That XX music video in 2012 and being featured in the song Black in 2013.
Lisa was introduced as the second member of the new girl group on June 8, 2016. She made history as the sole individual among 4,000 applicants to pass the 2010 YG Entertainment audition in her native Thailand, becoming the label’s first foreign trainee in 2011. Lisa’s initial introduction to the public occurred in May 2012 through a video titled “Who’s that girl???” posted on YG Entertainment’s YouTube channel. Additionally, she appeared in Taeyang’s Ringa Linga music video in 2013.
Jisoo was announced as the third member of the new group on June 15, 2016. She joined YG Entertainment as a trainee in July 2011 and gained recognition through appearances in various advertisements and music videos during her pre-debut years, including those for Epik High. Jisoo also made a cameo appearance in the 2015 drama The Producers.
Rosé was unveiled as the final member on June 22, 2016. She distinguished herself by ranking first among 700 applicants in the 2012 YG Entertainment audition held in Australia. Following this achievement, she signed a trainee contract with the label and relocated to Seoul to commence training. Rosé’s journey to debut included featuring in G-Dragon’s track Without You (2012),, where she was credited as “? from YG New Girl Group until her official public introduction.
On June 29, YG Entertainment officially confirmed that the new girl group would consist of four members instead of the originally planned nine and unveiled its official name as BLACKPINK. According to a representative from the label, the group’s name signifies that “pretty isn’t everything” and embodies the idea that they are a team encompassing not only beauty but also great talent.