Ice Cream: The Untold Story Behind BLACKPINK & Selena Gomez's Summer Hit

"Ice Cream," the groundbreaking collaboration between BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez, made history as the first single by a female Korean act to reach the top twenty on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 13. The August 2020 release not only dominated charts across 22 countries but also became the longest-charting song by a female Korean act on the Hot 100, maintaining its position for eight consecutive weeks.

Notable artists including Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande contributed to the song's creation, resulting in a massive success that garnered 79.08 million views in its first 24 hours. Furthermore, the track achieved remarkable streaming numbers, with over 18.3 million streams in its debut week, leading to its number two position on Billboard's Digital Songs chart. This collaboration between BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez stands as a testament to the growing influence of K-pop in the global music industry, earning recognition on prestigious year-end lists including Billboard's 100 Best Songs of 2020 and Rolling Stone's 50 Best Songs of 2020.

The Genesis of Ice Cream: How BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez Connected

Long before "Ice Cream" became a summer hit, the seeds of collaboration between BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez were planted at New York Fashion Week in 2018. This chance encounter marked the beginning of what would eventually become one of K-pop's most notable crossover moments.

First meeting at New York Fashion Week

The initial connection between these global superstars occurred when Selena Gomez met Jisoo and Rosé during New York Fashion Week in 2018. In a later interview with Radio.com, the BLACKPINK members revealed they had been significant fans of Gomez since their training days. "We've really been big fans of her, ever since we were trainees, growing up, watching her on TV and listening to her music," Rosé explained. This admiration wasn't one-sided, as Gomez later expressed, "I just love them and their energy".

Early discussions about potential collaboration

The official journey toward "Ice Cream" began on July 23, 2020, when YG Entertainment released a teaser poster announcing an upcoming collaboration single between BLACKPINK and an unnamed artist. Subsequently, on August 11, 2020, Selena Gomez was revealed as the mystery collaborator. According to Selena, the decision to work with BLACKPINK was straightforward: "It was a no-brainer... The idea of doing something with a dominant girl group, bringing their culture here — and obviously they did equal for me over there — it just seemed so perfect".

Role of YG Entertainment and Interscope Records

Behind the scenes, the partnership between YG Entertainment and Interscope Records played a crucial role in making this cross-cultural collaboration possible. According to Steve Berman, vice chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M, "This amazing pairing between Blackpink and Selena was one that was highly anticipated by fans around the world". Notably, several months before "Ice Cream," YG Entertainment and Interscope Records had announced a global partnership for BLACKPINK, which essentially paved the way for the group's international breakthrough.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic creating logistical challenges, the team had fortunately recorded and delivered "Ice Cream" prior to global shutdowns in March 2020. "We've been planning this song for quite some time — pre-quarantine," recalled Hannah Gold, VP marketing at Interscope Records.

Inside the Creative Process of Ice Cream

Behind the catchy melodies of "Ice Cream" stands an impressive lineup of songwriting talent. The track brought together some of music's most prolific creators, setting the stage for a cross-cultural hit that would dominate charts worldwide.

Songwriting sessions with Ariana Grande

The songwriting team for "Ice Cream" reads like a who's who of pop music excellence. Alongside Selena Gomez herself, the composition credits include Tommy Brown, Mr. Franks, Teddy Park, Bekuh Boom, Victoria Monét, 24, and perhaps most surprisingly, Ariana Grande. Grande's involvement went beyond just writing—she recorded a demo version of the song specifically to guide Selena on the intended melody and rhythm. This writer's demo was never meant for Grande's own albums but rather served as a blueprint for the collaboration. Interestingly, the full demo later leaked in July 2023, revealing the song's early development stages.

Recording challenges during the pandemic

While "Ice Cream" was fortunately recorded and delivered prior to the March 2020 pandemic shutdowns, COVID-19 still significantly impacted the collaboration process. The geographic separation between the artists presented unique challenges—BLACKPINK remained in South Korea while Selena Gomez worked from California. Nevertheless, the artists maintained communication through video chats. "I wish that I was there with them... I guarantee you there's this energy that we could have if we could be in the same place, but we're being safe," Gomez remarked about their virtual meetings. This physical separation meant both parties had to rely on technology to coordinate their performances and creative decisions.

The decision to make it primarily English

Though not officially marketed as an English-language song, "Ice Cream" features predominantly English lyrics, with the exception of Lisa's Korean rap verse. In fact, approximately 98% of the song is in English. This linguistic choice aligned with YG Entertainment's strategic marketing toward American audiences. The English lyrics and Western-friendly sound revealed the label's international ambitions for BLACKPINK. However, some fans questioned this approach, suggesting it prioritized global accessibility over the group's Korean identity. Regardless, the decision proved commercially successful, helping the song achieve crossover appeal in multiple markets.

Behind the Colorful Music Video Production

The vibrant visual feast of "Ice Cream" came together under extraordinary circumstances, with director Seo Hyun-seung orchestrating a production across two continents. The music video garnered an impressive 79.08 million views in its first 24 hours, making it the third biggest 24-hour debut for a music video at that time.

Filming separately due to COVID-19 restrictions

The global pandemic forced a complete reimagining of traditional music video production. Consequently, BLACKPINK's scenes were filmed entirely in South Korea, while Selena Gomez shot her portions separately in the United States. This geographic division wasn't merely a logistical footnote—it represented an unprecedented creative challenge that required meticulous planning.

"Despite already collaborating on the group's hit song 'Ice Cream,' Selena Gomez and BLACKPINK just got around to hanging out. That's through no fault of their own though - the band and Gomez were forced to film their parts of the music video separately due to COVID restrictions," reported multiple sources. All participants underwent testing prior to filming, with strict pandemic protocols maintained throughout production.

Creating a cohesive visual despite geographical separation

Remarkably, the production team crafted a seamless visual experience that concealed the artists' separation. The fast-paced editing created an illusion that BLACKPINK and Gomez occupied the same whimsical universe. As one viewer noted, "The fast cuts between Selena and the girls really created an illusion that they were in the same location".

Director Seo Hyun-seung, a frequent collaborator with notable K-pop acts including 2NE1, iKON, and Big Bang, brought his signature style to the project. His penchant for colorful, whimsical sets transformed the geographic limitations into a creative advantage.

In a behind-the-scenes video, Selena expressed admiration for BLACKPINK's visual artistry: "They're very known for their videos and their personalities, so I felt like I got to step into their world a little bit".

The ice cream truck and set design symbolism

At the heart of the visual concept stood the ice cream truck emblazoned with "Selpink"—a clever combination of "Selena" and "BLACKPINK". This branded vehicle served as a unifying element connecting the separately filmed segments.

The production design created what critics described as "a bonkers theme park with giant inflatable cones, cotton candy houses and giant cherries—an elaborate, saccharine visual feast that changes just as quickly as the fashion on show".

BLACKPINK themselves confirmed the intentional color coordination: "Throughout the music video we tried to have each look suit that entire set, and we especially focused on wearing bright colors that suit the overall vibe of the music and concept".

The video culminates with BLACKPINK driving pink Mercedes-Benz Power Wheels cars and playing on an inflatable slide, further enhancing the playful aesthetic.

Fashion and Visual Aesthetics in Ice Cream

The visual spectacle of "Ice Cream" extends far beyond its candy-colored sets, as the fashion choices play a crucial role in establishing the video's playful identity. From designer pieces to custom creations, every sartorial decision reinforces the summer fantasy world that BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez crafted together.

Styling decisions for each BLACKPINK member

Each BLACKPINK member showcases her signature style throughout the video, often paying homage to their fashion house affiliations. Jennie, known as the group's fashion enthusiast, incorporates numerous Chanel pieces, including a belt bag, bracelets, and even Chanel suspenders strategically strapped to her jeans. Jisoo embraces her role as a Dior ambassador with statement pieces like a veiled Dior baker boy cap and monogrammed accessories. Lisa commands attention with bold choices, including a white string top from Namilia paired with embellished "Phillies" jeans, while her striking green hair becomes one of the video's most memorable style moments. Meanwhile, Rosé balances playfulness with high fashion, notably wearing an Ashley Williams corset featuring a spray-painted Dalmatian print paired with a feathered skirt.

Selena's retro-inspired looks

In contrast to BLACKPINK's contemporary styling, Selena Gomez embraces vintage aesthetics throughout her scenes. Her stylist Kate Young intentionally channeled 1940s pin-up aesthetics, beginning with a red striped Shoshanna bikini top ($195) and matching high-waisted bottoms ($128), accessorized with gold Jennifer Fisher hoop earrings ($750) and a sailor hat. As the video progresses, Gomez transitions to a sporty black Puma romper ($50) paired with a neon green visor, followed by a polka-dot ensemble combining a For Love & Lemons crop top ($128) with WeWoreWhat spotted shorts ($160). Her final look features a yellow gingham LeRumi romper ($168) that perfectly complements her ice cream truck.

Color palette significance

Throughout "Ice Cream," color serves as a storytelling device. The predominance of pastels—particularly pinks, yellows, and blues—creates what BLACKPINK described as "that fun, bright, summer energy" they hoped to convey. Moreover, the color coordination between outfits and sets was meticulously planned, with the members confirming, "Throughout the music video we tried to have each look suit that entire set". The contrast between BLACKPINK's bold color combinations and Selena's more subdued vintage palette visually represents their distinct musical identities while maintaining cohesion. Interestingly, certain scenes feature specific color stories, like the tennis sequence with its all-white Wimbledon-inspired outfits and the ice cream shop scene dominated by 1980s monochrome looks.

FAQS

Fans across the globe have raised numerous questions about the "Ice Cream" collaboration since its release. This section addresses some of the most frequently asked questions about this groundbreaking partnership between BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez.

Why did BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez decide to collaborate?

Although neither party has explicitly detailed their initial motivation, interviews suggest mutual admiration played a significant role. Jennie from BLACKPINK explained in a later interview that they had been "big fans of her [Selena Gomez], ever since we were trainees." Similarly, Selena expressed admiration for BLACKPINK's energy and performance style.

How did the artists manage their collaboration during the pandemic?

The collaboration primarily happened through virtual meetings and separate recording sessions. As mentioned in earlier sections, both parties maintained communication through video calls, with Selena once commenting, "I wish that I was there with them."

How do BLACKPINK members feel about their influence on fans?

In an interview, Jennie addressed this question directly: "As influential public figures, we..." before her fellow member added support to her statement. Lisa expanded on this sentiment, saying: "When we see people loving us and finding their confidence along the way, we are also influenced by that and feel very responsible".

Did they plan to film the music video separately from the beginning?

No, the separate filming was a direct result of COVID-19 restrictions rather than an artistic choice. Initially, both parties likely anticipated filming together, as evidenced by Selena's comment expressing her wish to be with BLACKPINK during the process.

Will there be future collaborations between BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez?

As of now, there has been no official announcement regarding another collaboration. Nevertheless, given the success of "Ice Cream" and the positive relationship established between the artists, another joint project remains a possibility worth watching for.