BLACKPINK (HOW YOU LIKE THAT)
The Story Behind BLACKPINK How You Like That
BLACKPINK's "How You Like That" marked a significant comeback for the K-pop girl group after a year-long hiatus. Released on June 26, 2020, as the first pre-release single from their debut studio album "The Album," the song quickly became a global phenomenon. Produced by Teddy Park, R. Tee, and 24, with lyrics by Danny Chung, the track blends EDM, hip-hop, trap, club, and pop elements. The song's success was immediate, topping charts in multiple countries and setting numerous YouTube records. It peaked at number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100, tying as the highest-charting song by a female K-pop act in the country . The music video garnered 86.3 million views within 24 hours, setting a new YouTube record.
"How You Like That"
Artist
BLACKPINK
Released
June 26, 2020 (digital)
July 17, 2020 (physical)
Format(s)
CD, download, streaming
Recorded
2020
Genre
Hip-hop, trap
Length
3:01 (digital)
6:02 (physical)
Label(s)
YG Entertainment
Distributor(s)
YG PLUS
Interscope Records (International)
Writer(s)
TEDDY, Danny Chung
Composer(s)
TEDDY, R.Tee, 24
Arranger(s)
R.Tee, 24
Producer(s)
R.tee
Track list
Download and streaming
"How You Like That" - 3:01
CD
"How You Like That" - 3:01
"How You Like That (Inst.)" - 3:01
BLACKPINK's Journey to 'How You Like That'
Previous Hits
BLACKPINK's journey to "How You Like That" was marked by a series of successful releases. Their previous hits, including "Whistle," "Playing With Fire," "Ddu Du Ddu Du," and "Kill This Love," established a consistent girl crush concept and visual aesthetic. These songs featured similar layouts, with Jennie often starting, Lisa rapping, and a dance break at the end.
Anticipation for Comeback
After a year-long hiatus, anticipation for BLACKPINK's comeback was high. On May 4, 2020, reports surfaced that the group had finished recording their new album. YG Entertainment later revealed that more than ten songs were expected for their first full-length album, projected for a June 2020 release. Fans eagerly awaited the group's return, hoping for a fresh sound and concept.
Group's Evolution
"How You Like That" represented a slight shift in BLACKPINK's musical direction. According to Jisoo, the song moved from their previous "powerful" music to a more "swag" concept. However, the song still maintained familiar elements, such as the "Blackpink in your area" catchphrase and the group's signature bad girl image. The music video, directed by Seo Hyun-seung, set various YouTube records, including the most views within 24 hours at 86.3 million.
Song Production Deep Dive
Songwriting Process
"How You Like That" was crafted by a team of talented songwriters, including Teddy, Danny Chung, R. Tee, and 24. The song's concept aimed to convey a message of resilience and strength in the face of adversity. This collaborative effort resulted in a powerful blend of genres, fusing EDM, hip-hop, trap, club, and pop elements.
Musical Elements
The track features a thrilling combination of musical elements. It opens with an emotionally melodic verse, setting the stage for a dynamic chorus. The production incorporates bouncy electronic synths and a gritty-styled melody that smoothly transitions into a Middle-Eastern influenced soundscape during Lisa's rap verse. The bridge builds anticipation using a classic 4-2-1-1 drum pattern, leading to an energetic dance break.
Vocal Arrangements
BLACKPINK's vocal performances shine throughout the song. Jennie showcases her versatility, excelling in both vocal and rap parts. Rosé and Jisoo deliver powerful vocal performances, with Jisoo's parts carefully arranged to suit her range. Lisa's rap sections stand out, adding a badass flair to the track and making even unconventional lyrics sound impactful.
Visual Storytelling in the MV
Symbolism and Themes
The music video for "How You Like That" incorporates rich symbolism and themes. The opening scene features a representation of the Greek goddess Nike, symbolizing victory and female empowerment. Jisoo's blindfolded appearance alludes to Themis, the goddess of justice, while Rosé's scene with scattered flower petals represents letting go of past memories. Lisa's marketplace scene references Aladdin, symbolizing a rags-to-riches journey.
Set Design
The set design showcases BLACKPINK's signature aesthetic. The video features diverse backdrops, including a winter-inspired scene and a gothic-style set. A jungle-like set was meticulously constructed, demonstrating the impressive production value. The use of polaroids and branches adds visual interest. The final scene includes two Trojan horses and a world map in black and pink, symbolizing the group's global impact.
Cinematic Techniques
The music video employs various cinematic techniques to enhance visual storytelling. These include slanted travel shots, arch movements, and character-following camera work. Re-adjustment transitions and continuous movements create smooth scene changes. Fast movements and camera bumps emphasize specific dance moves, adding dynamism to the video.
Choreography Breakdown
Key Dance Moves
The choreography for "How You Like That" features a series of iconic moves. The routine begins with a powerful opening stance, followed by synchronized hand gestures and dynamic formations. Key elements include head tilts, arm movements, and intricate footwork that complement the song's rhythm and lyrics. The chorus showcases a signature move where dancers jump together and flick their hair, creating a visually striking effect.
Practice and Preparation
BLACKPINK's dedication to perfecting the choreography is evident in their performances. The dance routine is designed to be relatively simple and repetitive, making it easy for fans to learn and practice at home. YG Entertainment strategically released a separate dance practice video online, enabling fans to master the routine and fostering a sense of connection with the group.
Live Performance Impact
The choreography's impact on live performances is significant. Its simplicity and repetitiveness allow for audience participation, creating an interactive experience during concerts. This engagement fulfills fans' social interaction needs, particularly appealing to younger audiences. The dance routine's accessibility has contributed to the song's viral success on social media platforms, further expanding BLACKPINK's global reach and influence in the K-pop industry.
Fashion and Styling Influence
Designer Collaborations
BLACKPINK's "How You Like That" music video showcases a stunning array of designer collaborations. The group's stylists curated outfits from renowned brands such as Dior, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, and Area. Custom pieces by Korean designers like Hong Ki-Young were also featured, highlighting a blend of international and local fashion. Jisoo dazzled in a crimson lace look from Alexander McQueen's resort 2020 collection, while Jennie sported a Chanel ensemble from their spring lineup.
Iconic Outfits
Each member's outfit in the video was carefully chosen to reflect their personality and style. Jisoo's chic look included GMBH's harness organic-cotton jeans and Demonia Cult's iridescent platform boots. Lisa's embroidered cashmere jacket from Celine elevated her ensemble. Rosé embodied an ice warrior aesthetic in an all-white outfit featuring Badblood's teddy crop jacket and Marine Serre's cotton bra. These iconic looks contributed to the video's visual appeal and showcased the members' individual styles.
Trend-Setting Impact
BLACKPINK's fashion choices in "How You Like That" have had a significant trend-setting impact. The video's fashion elements, from vibrant colors to sleek designs, reflect and respond to cultural influences shaping the fashion world. The group's ability to blend traditional elements, like modernized hanboks, with contemporary styles has inspired fans and fashion enthusiasts globally. Their fashion choices have not only broken YouTube records but also set new standards in K-pop styling, influencing the broader fashion industry.
Global Reception
Critical Acclaim
"How You Like That" received positive reviews from music critics. Consequence of Sound ranked it as the 27th best track of 2020, praising its positive message of resilience. The Los Angeles Times featured it in their top 50 songs of 2020, calling it a "squelchy, gum-smacking and titanically fun comeback". Billboard placed it at number 23 on their list of the 100 Best Songs of 2020, describing its coda as "the most thrilling 30 seconds of pop all year".
Fan Community Response
The BLACKPINK fandom, known as Blinks, enthusiastically embraced the song. Fans praised the members' visuals and the video's production quality. The music video achieved five Guinness World Records, including the most views for a music video within 24 hours, garnering 86.3 million views. It also became one of the most-liked videos on YouTube with over 24 million likes.
Industry Recognition
"How You Like That" received 13 first place awards on South Korean music programs and three consecutive weekly Melon Popularity Awards in July 2020. The song's global impact was evident as it became the first song by a K-pop girl group to reach one billion streams on Spotify. Its success highlighted BLACKPINK's growing influence in the international music scene.
Marketing and Promotion Strategies
Teaser Campaign
BLACKPINK's marketing team employed a strategic teaser campaign to build anticipation for "How You Like That." Teasers featuring catchy phrases like "Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane" and "Bring out the bottle" were released, generating buzz among fans. The iconic "BLACKPINK in your area" tagline was also prominently featured, reinforcing the group's brand identity.
Social Media Engagement
The group leveraged social media platforms to maximize engagement. They encouraged user-generated content and actively responded to fan interactions, fostering a sense of community. This strategy proved effective, with one CEO reporting a significant increase in monthly revenue from $20,000-30,000 to over $100,000 simply by enhancing social media engagement.
TV Performances
BLACKPINK's TV performances played a crucial role in promoting "How You Like That." These appearances showcased the group's dynamic choreography and vocal prowess, further solidifying their status as a global phenomenon. As one industry expert noted, "They have over 1.5 billion - billion -- streams. They are unbelievable. Phenomenon is not even the word. You have to invent a new word for this group".
BLACKPINK - 'How You Like That' M/V
BLACKPINK - How You Like That (Romanized) Lyrics
[Intro: Lisa]
BLACKPINK in your area
[Verse 1: Jennie, Jisoo]
Boran deusi muneojyeosseo
Badageul ttulko jeo jihakkaji
Ot kkeutjarak japgetdago
Jeo nopi du soneul ppeodeobwado
[Pre-Chorus: Rosé]
Dasi kamkamhan igose light up the sky
Ne du nuneul bomyeo I'll kiss you goodbye
Silkeot biuseora kkoljoeunikka
Ije neohui hana dul set
[Chorus: Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo]
Ha, how you like that? (Woo!)
You gon' like that, that-that-that, that, that-that-that, that
How you like that? (Bada bing, bada boom, boom, boom)
How you like that, that-that-that, that, that-that-that, that?
[Post-Chorus: Lisa, Rosé, Jennie]
Now, look at you, now look at me (Uh)
Look at you, now look at me (Uh)
Look at you, now look at me
How you like that?
Now, look at you, now look at me (Uh)
Look at you, now look at me (Uh)
Look at you, now look at me
How you like that?
See upcoming pop shows
Get tickets for your favorite artists
[Verse 2: Lisa]
Your girl need it all and that's a hundred
Baek gae junge baek nae mokseul wonhae
Karma come and get some
Ttakajiman eojjeol su eopjana
What's up? I'm right back
Bangasoereul cock back
Plain Jane get hijacked, don't like me?
Then tell me how you like that, like that
[Pre-Chorus: Jennie, Jisoo]
Deo kamkamhan igose shine like the stars
Geu misoreul ttimyeo I'll kiss you goodbye
Silkeot biuseora kkoljoeunikka
Ije neohui hana dul set
[Chorus: Rosé, Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa]
Ha, how you like that? (Woo!)
You gon' like that, that-that-that, that, that-that-that, that
How you like that? (Bada bing, bada boom, boom, boom)
How you like that, that-that-that, that, that-that-that, that?
[Post-Chorus: Lisa, Rosé, Jennie]
Now, look at you, now look at me (Uh)
Look at you, now look at me (Uh)
Look at you, now look at me
How you like that?
Now, look at you, now look at me (Uh)
Look at you, now look at me (Uh)
Look at you, now look at me
How you like that?
[Bridge: Rosé, Jisoo, Rose & Jisoo, All]
Nalgae ileun chaero churakaetdeon nal
Eoduun nanal soge gatyeo itdeon nal
Geuttaejjeume neon nal kkeunnaeya haesseo
Look up in the sky
It's a bird, it's a plane
[Break: All, Jennie]
Yeah-eah-eah-eah
Bring out your boss bitch
Yeah-eah-eah-eah
BLACKPINK!
[Outro: Lisa, Rosé & Jennie]
Ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu-ddu-ddu
Ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu-ddu-ddu
How you like that?
Ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu-ddu-ddu
Ddu, ddu, ddu, du-du-du-ddu
You gon' like that
Ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu-ddu-ddu
Ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu-ddu-ddu
How you like that?
Ddu, ddu, ddu, ddu-ddu-ddu
Ddu, ddu, ddu, du-du-du-ddu
Conclusion
BLACKPINK's "How You Like That" has solidified the group's position as a global phenomenon in the K-pop industry. The song achieved remarkable commercial success, topping charts in multiple countries and setting numerous YouTube records . It became the group's fifth music video to surpass 1 billion views on YouTube, reaching this milestone faster than any other K-pop girl group . The track's impact extended beyond streaming platforms, earning certifications in multiple countries and winning prestigious awards . While some fans felt the song's style was similar to previous releases, its powerful vocals, catchy lyrics, and dynamic choreography continued to captivate audiences worldwide.
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