Blackpink has proven to be one of the most successful worldwide K-Pop girl groups of all time. From entering charts all over the world at the very top, becoming the first Asian act to headline Coachella, and record-breaking music video views; Blackpink has proved their power to the world. However, the group’s 7-year journey may be coming to an end.
Before diving into the current status of the group, let’s review the history of one of Korea’s golden groups. Blackpink is a 4-member girl group formed in South Korea by YG Entertainment. The group consists of Kim Jisoo (Korean), Kim Jennie (Korean), Park Rosé (Korean-Australian), and Lisa Manobal (Thai). The group debuted on August 8th, 2016, with the single album Square One, that consists of the hit track “Boombaya”. The release shocked fans with its experimental sound and catchy chorus, the world fell in love with the girls instantly. Their success didn’t stop from there, currently Blackpink holds the title of the most viewed K-pop girl group at a whopping 2.1 billion views for their song, “DDU-DU DDU-DU”. The song’s catchy and intense chorus was wildly popular and remains one of the most iconic K-pop songs in history.
Despite the popularity the girls have gained through Blackpink and the fans that they have gained along the way, like all groups they must come to an end. Now, we ask the million-dollar question: Can Blackpink break the infamous 7-year curse? A typical contract for most K-pop groups states that the group must remain active with regular releases for 7 consecutive years. After those 7 years are up, the members of the group can renew for another 2-3 years, or they can decide not to renew and leave their company. However, when a member does not renew with the company, they are still technically a part of the group unless they state otherwise. Many groups disband altogether when they reach their 7th year. “The Daily Sports Seoul” reported that Rosé is the only member that has renewed her contract with YG while the rest of the girls are seeking new agencies. The group has not released an official disbandment
statement but fans are speculating that Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa will deep dive into their solo music while Jisoo will continue to work towards her acting career. While fans do hope to soon see Blackpink back on stage as a group, they are excited to see what else the girls have up their sleeves for future releases.
