BLACKPINK's "Kill This Love" EP, released on April 5, 2019, marked a significant milestone for the South Korean girl group. The title track, serving as the lead single, achieved remarkable success, peaking at number two in South Korea and becoming the first top-50 hit by a female K-pop act in the United States and the United Kingdom. The EP debuted at number 24 on the US Billboard 200, making it the highest-charting album by a female K-pop group at the time. It reached the top ten in several countries, including Canada, Japan, and New Zealand. The EP's commercial success was further solidified when it received platinum certification from the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) in June 2019 for selling 250,000 units.

Track list:

1. Kill This Love – 3:09

2. Don’t Know What To Do – 3:21

3. Kick It – 3:11

4. Hope Not (아니길) – 3:11

5. DDU-DU DDU-DU (뚜두뚜두) (Remix) – 3:21

"Kill This Love" stands out as a powerful and intense track in BLACKPINK's discography. The song features an aggressive instrumental with militaristic drums, thundering brass, and hard-hitting trap elements. This creates an imposing atmosphere that reflects the raw emotions conveyed in the lyrics.

The track's structure has been criticized for being formulaic and lacking melodic depth. The chorus focuses on chanting the title, followed by ad-libs that some find less impactful than expected. However, the song's climax in the final thirty seconds provides a satisfying sonic density.

The lyrics explore the process of ending a toxic relationship. Jennie's opening verse sets the tone: "After a sweet 'Hi,' there's always a bitter 'Bye'". The narrative unfolds in real-time, capturing the raw emotions of breaking up rather than reflecting on it afterward. The pre-chorus marks a shift in mood, with the realization that the relationship is harmful.

"Kill This Love" achieved significant commercial success, peaking at No. 55 on the U.S. singles chart. The song's popularity extended beyond music, influencing fashion trends through the members' styling in the music video and promotional imagery.

"Don't Know What to Do" stands out as a fan-favorite track on BLACKPINK's "Kill This Love" EP. Written by Brian Lee and Teddy, and produced by 24, Bekuh Boom, and R. Tee, this "sub-title" song has garnered significant attention.

The track's pop-rock influences blend seamlessly with EDM elements, creating a unique sound that sets it apart from the EP's title track. Its catchy melody and energetic beat have contributed to its popularity among listeners.

The song showcases BLACKPINK's vocal prowess, with each member delivering powerful performances. The track's lighter, brighter sound allows the group to demonstrate their versatility, contrasting with the darker, fuller tones of "Kill This Love".

"Don't Know What to Do" has achieved remarkable success across various platforms. It has amassed over 200 million streams on Spotify, becoming the sixth fastest song by a female group to hit 100 million streams. The track's popularity extends to other platforms, with 50 million streams on MelOn and over 1 million unique listeners on Genie.

BLACKPINK's "Kick It" showcases the group's signature genre-blending style. The track features a unique mix of funk, rock, and pop elements, creating a dynamic sound that keeps listeners engaged. The song opens with drumstick-like clapping, reminiscent of rock music, before transitioning into a funky synth sound. This constant shifting between genres demonstrates BLACKPINK's versatility and innovative approach to music production.

Lisa and Jennie's rap verses in "Kick It" highlight BLACKPINK's edge in hip-hop delivery. Lisa's aggressive flow, reverbed and positioned to the side of the mix, contrasts with Jennie's centered, front-of-track delivery. This unique mixing technique creates a full, immersive vocal space that enhances the impact of their performances. The rap sections also feature clever wordplay on the phrase "kick it," adding depth to the lyrics.

"Kick It" incorporates a powerful dance break, a hallmark of BLACKPINK's performances. The song's structure builds up to an epic chanting bridge, featuring bass distortion and drum claps that create an intense atmosphere perfect for showcasing the group's dance skills. This dance break element aligns with BLACKPINK's reputation for delivering high-energy performances, as seen in other tracks like "Kill This Love".

"Hope Not" stands out as a guitar-backed ballad on BLACKPINK's "Kill This Love" EP, showcasing the group's versatility. The song has achieved significant success, with over 60 million streams on Spotify. It debuted at #28 on the Worldwide iTunes Chart and #195 on the Spotify Daily Global Top 200 Chart.

The track's lyrics convey deep emotions, with lines like "The old thoughts that I hid deep inside, sometimes grab me and make me suffer". The song explores themes of regret and wistfulness, allowing BLACKPINK to showcase their vocal abilities.

"Hope Not" provides an opportunity for BLACKPINK to demonstrate their beautiful vocal chops. The simplistic and restrained instrumental allows the members' voices to take center stage, effectively conveying feelings of regret and longing.

Fans have interpreted "Hope Not" as BLACKPINK's deepest song to date, exploring a love story that leads to a forced breakup. The lyrics, such as "I've been a slave to my emotions, screw this heartless love" , resonate with listeners who appreciate the group's more emotional side.

BLACKPINK's musical journey has seen significant shifts since their debut. Their early releases, such as "Square One" and "Square Two," showcased a blend of powerful beats and R&B vibes. The mini-album "Square Up" marked a milestone, featuring the global hit "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du". However, "Kill This Love" has been perceived as a departure from their earlier sound, with some critics noting a lack of innovation compared to previous works.

"Kill This Love" introduced a more aggressive and assertive sound, blending trap beats with BLACKPINK's trademark style. However, some reviewers found the song repetitive and generic, lacking the aesthetic and storyline of their earlier music videos. The track's militaristic drums and thundering brass were noted as initial concepts that didn't fully develop into a cohesive song.

While BLACKPINK's vocal prowess remains a strong asset, critics have observed that "Kill This Love" may not showcase the group's full potential. The song's structure and melody have been described as disconnected, potentially hindering the group's momentum in the long run. This release has sparked discussions about BLACKPINK's musical evolution and their ability to maintain their position in the competitive K-pop industry.

BLACKPINK's "Kill This Love" music video showcases YG Entertainment's penchant for grandiose productions. The video features enormous sets, including giant bear traps and rooms filled with love-themed cereal boxes. These elaborate backdrops create a visually stunning experience that complements the song's powerful message. The video's concept revolves around the idea of ending toxic relationships, with each member portraying different aspects of this struggle.

The members' styling in "Kill This Love" is a testament to BLACKPINK's fashion-forward image. Their outfits draw inspiration from various sources, including Lara Croft's iconic look from Tomb Raider. The video showcases a range of styles, from tactical ensembles to more feminine pieces. Notable items include Lisa's 1017 ALYX 9SM chest rig and Rosé's Me Dic Al cropped jacket paired with a Dior Men belt. The makeup looks are equally striking, with Jennie's bold red eyeshadow being a standout feature.

The music video is rich in symbolism, often referencing Greek mythology. Jennie's white feathered dress and tiara allude to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. The video also explores themes of duality, with Rosé and Jisoo attempting to "kill" their doppelgangers. Religious imagery is present, with Lisa entering a room labeled "Heaven," symbolizing the false paradise of toxic love. The recurring motif of traps represents the feeling of being trapped in unhealthy relationships. These visual elements work together to reinforce the song's message of overcoming destructive love.

"Kill This Love" achieved remarkable success on global charts. In South Korea, it peaked at number two on the Gaon Digital Chart. The song made history in the United States, debuting at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest-charting hit by a K-pop girl group. It remained on the Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks, setting a record for all-female Korean acts. In the UK, the track reached number 33, the highest for any female Korean act at the time.

The international media praised BLACKPINK's achievements. The group made history as the first all-girl group since Destiny's Child in 2004 to reach No. 1 on the iTunes chart. They also became the second Korean group, after BTS, to accomplish this feat. Their performance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in February further boosted their international profile.

"Kill This Love" broke numerous records on social media platforms. The music video reached 100 million views on YouTube in just 2 days and 14 hours, surpassing the previous record held by Psy's "Gentleman". It also set a record for the most views within 24 hours, accumulating 56.7 million views. The video's success was attributed to its cinematic quality and strategic use of YouTube's Premiere platform.