BLACKPINK, the modern K-pop sensation, has once again captivated the music world with their latest single "Pink Venom." Released as a precursor to their upcoming album "Born Pink," the track embodies the group's unique identity and musical evolution. The song's title itself represents a fascinating contradiction, blending the softness associated with pink and the deadly nature of venom.

During an online press conference in Seoul, Jennie explained the concept behind "Pink Venom," stating, "Since our album's title is Born Pink, we wanted to relay our identity in the song as much as we could. Since 'pink' and 'venom' have contradicting images, we thought they were kind of reminiscent of us... It's pink venom, a lovely poison, it's words that most express us". This duality is a core aspect of BLACKPINK's charm, reflecting their ability to seamlessly transition between sweet and dangerous personas.

The song's production showcases a unique blend of modern hip-hop sounds with traditional Korean elements. Jisoo highlighted the incorporation of the geomungo, a traditional Korean instrument, which adds a distinctive cultural flavor to the track. This fusion of contemporary and traditional elements creates an exotic and captivating soundscape, featuring a scale reminiscent of the melodic minor, which contributes to the song's unique tonal qualities.

"Pink Venom" not only represents BLACKPINK's musical identity but also serves as a powerful statement of their artistic growth and versatility. As the group prepares for their upcoming album and tour, they remain focused on showcasing their originality and delivering performances that will resonate with their dedicated fanbase, known as BLINKs.

The anticipation for BLACKPINK's "Pink Venom" created a significant stir on social media platforms. In Thailand alone, 68,141 messages related to the video were posted on social media, with 72.6% coming from netizens and 27.4% from brands. Twitter users were the most enthusiastic, accounting for 49.1% of the messages, followed closely by Facebook users at 45.1% . Interestingly, female netizens dominated the conversation, contributing 76.09% of all messages about "Pink Venom".

BLACKPINK's team employed a strategic teaser campaign to build excitement. On August 7, the group shared information about the release date for "Pink Venom" on social media. They followed this with an alluring 30-second teaser video on August 9, featuring vibrant, pink-tinged visuals and dramatic clips that hinted at the song's concept. The teaser included intriguing elements such as a kaleidoscopic crystal, blowing curtains, and a cult-like group in black cloaks, all designed to pique fans' curiosity.

Fans had high expectations for "Pink Venom," anticipating a "badass and girl crush concept" that would showcase the "black" side of BLACKPINK. Many predicted a heavily rap-focused song, with Jennie and Lisa expected to stand out. The concept teasers led fans to believe that the song would lean towards a fierce, dark theme . There was also excitement about potential iconic dance moves and references to previous BLACKPINK choreographies. However, some fans expressed concern about the group's future, noting the two-year gap since their last comeback and speculating about potential disbandment.

"Pink Venom" showcases a unique blend of traditional Korean instruments and modern pop elements. The song opens with minor chords played on the geomungo, a traditional Korean plucked zither. This incorporation of traditional sounds creates an exotic and captivating soundscape, featuring a scale reminiscent of the melodic minor. The use of traditional instruments like the geomungo and gayageum adds a rich cultural depth to the track.

The production combines several musical styles, including familiar K-pop elasticity, loose Middle Eastern themes, gaudy rock, West Coast rap, and more. The song's instrumental arrangement is characterized by its maximalist approach, intensifying the recent trend of heavy sampling and interpolation.

The vocal performances in "Pink Venom" complement the song's unique instrumental backdrop. The track features a mix of singing and rapping, with each member showcasing their individual strengths. The vocals are set against a backdrop of loud synthesizers, creating a punchy and drastic sound that complements the song's overall vibe.

The chorus of the song has been noted for its repetitive nature, featuring a "BLACKPINK" chant that has received mixed reactions from listeners. The vocal delivery throughout the song is designed to cut through the complex instrumental arrangement, with the members' voices serving as a relief from the dissonant background melodies.

The rap sections in "Pink Venom" play a crucial role in the song's structure and appeal. Lisa and Jennie deliver a "late-90s Eminem-style" rap following the chorus, adding a dynamic shift to the song's flow. The rap verses incorporate references to luxury brands and showcase the members' individual styles.

The second verse features a unique blend of 90's gangsta rap and hyperpop elements, creating a surprising twist in the song's progression. This section has been particularly noted for its departure from traditional K-pop sounds, adding an element of unpredictability to the track.

Overall, "Pink Venom" represents a bold musical statement from BLACKPINK, combining traditional Korean elements with contemporary pop and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive and memorable sound.

BLACKPINK's "Pink Venom" music video showcases an array of stunning outfits that blend high fashion with the group's signature style. Each member's look is carefully curated to reflect their individual personalities and brand partnerships. Jennie, known as the "Human Chanel," sports various Chanel pieces throughout the video, including a pair of statement boots paired with a denim jumpsuit. Lisa, true to her Celine ambassadorship, dons a Celine bucket hat and raps about being "still in Celine". Jisoo represents Dior with a sleeveless cropped tank that embodies the brand's contemporary elegance. Rosé, aligned with Saint Laurent, rocks a monochromatic ensemble featuring a latex minidress that perfectly captures her cool-girl aesthetic.

The styling also incorporates various trends and cultural elements. Jisoo's opening scene features a traditional Korean-inspired gown from Miss Sohee, paired with accessories from Naschenka, showcasing her pride in Korean culture. Y2K fashion makes a strong appearance, with Jisoo sporting faded daisy dukes and a braided headband, while Lisa embraces the low-rise trend with a whale tail peeking out from her overalls.

The music video's set design is a visual feast, featuring a variety of striking and immersive environments. One of the most notable sets is Jisoo's moon throne scene, where she sits on a grand pedestal surrounded by pink lights and lasers, creating a hypnotic aura. This scene, inspired by vampires, showcases Jisoo sprinkling red glitter on a small bed of roses, adding to the ethereal atmosphere.

Another significant set piece is the black tree with pink ground surrounding it, from which Lisa plucks a black apple with pink insides. This imagery aligns with BLACKPINK's aesthetic and may symbolize the group's duality – tough on the outside but sweet on the inside. The video also features a fantastical neon jungle universe where the group performs in black military-style outfits, dancing in shallow puddles and creating visually striking splashes with their synchronized choreography.

The cinematography in "Pink Venom" is dynamic and visually captivating, although it has been noted for its rapid editing style. The camera angles are clean and dynamic, but the frequent cuts between shots can make it challenging for viewers to fully digest the visuals. This fast-paced editing creates an almost dizzying effect, which may not allow enough time for the members to showcase their individual charisma to the camera.

Despite this, the video includes several standout visual moments. For instance, there's a striking scene where Jennie's eyes transition from pink to black, mirroring the music video's overall aesthetic. The video also incorporates symbolic imagery, such as clips of a butterfly frozen in ice slowly melting and freeing itself, which may represent themes of transformation or liberation.

"Pink Venom" made a significant impact on global music charts, demonstrating BLACKPINK's international appeal. The song debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts, marking the group's first No. 1 on the Global 200 and their second leader on Global Excl. U.S.. The track's performance was particularly impressive, boasting the second-biggest worldwide weekly streaming total since the surveys began in September 2020, with 212.1 million streams and 36,000 downloads worldwide in its first tracking week.

On the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, "Pink Venom" garnered 198.1 million streams and 27,000 downloads sold worldwide in territories outside the U.S.. This achievement solidified BLACKPINK's position as only the third act with multiple No. 1s on this chart, joining the ranks of BTS and Justin Bieber.

The reception of "Pink Venom" among music critics was mixed. Some reviewers praised the song's energy and influences. Tanu I. Raj of NME gave the track a four-star review, calling it a "promising preview of their new era". Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone dubbed it the group's "splashiest hit yet" and ranked it at number 35 in their list of the top 100 songs of 2022.

However, other critics found fault with various aspects of the song. Lauren Puckett-Pope from Elle described it as "catchy but discombobulated," criticizing its "disorienting blend of rap, floating vocals, and an anti-drop chorus". Park Soo-jin of IZM expressed disappointment, rating it two stars out of five and suggesting that BLACKPINK "rushed out to create an image, not a song".

Fan reactions to "Pink Venom" were largely positive, with many expressing excitement and admiration for the song and its music video. Fans praised the group's fashion choices, noting that each member's outfit reflected their partnership with luxury brands. The video's visual aesthetics, including the incorporation of traditional Korean elements and modern pop influences, were particularly well-received.

However, some fans and casual listeners found aspects of the song underwhelming. Comments on various platforms indicated that while the visuals and production quality were impressive, some felt the song itself was messy or failed to meet expectations. The rap lyrics received mixed reactions, with some finding them cringey or lacking in rhyme.

Despite these criticisms, the song's popularity was undeniable, with 65 million views on YouTube in less than 24 hours. This demonstrates BLACKPINK's ability to generate massive interest and engagement, even among those who may not typically listen to K-pop.

BLACKPINK's members have shown remarkable individual growth since their debut. Jennie has developed a commanding stage presence, effortlessly exuding charisma and confidence as she struts down a red carpet in vivid-red, leopard-printed dresses. Lisa's rap skills have reached new heights, with her delivery in "Pink Venom" drawing comparisons to late-90s Eminem-style rap. Rosé has expanded her musical repertoire, showcasing her skills on the electric guitar in the music video. Jisoo's vocals have noticeably improved, demonstrating the group's overall vocal development since their debut.

The group's dynamics have evolved to showcase a more pronounced duality in their concept. As Jennie explained, "Since 'pink' and 'venom' have contradicting images, we thought they were kind of reminiscent of us... It's pink venom, a lovely poison, it's words that most express us". This contradiction is evident in their lyrics, with Rosé and Jisoo describing themselves as "venomous flowers," juxtaposing beauty with danger. The members' individual brand partnerships are now seamlessly integrated into their music, with Lisa and Jennie referencing Celine and Chanel respectively in their rap verses.

BLACKPINK's musical direction has taken a bold turn with "Pink Venom," incorporating traditional Korean instruments like the geomungo and gayageum into their signature hip-hop and EDM sound. The song draws influences from 90s hip-hop and electropop, creating a unique blend that sets them apart in the K-pop scene. The use of minor chords and exotic scales, such as the mixolydian b6 or melodic minor, adds a distinctive cultural flavor to their music. This evolution demonstrates BLACKPINK's commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring new sonic territories while maintaining their identity as global K-pop icons.

BLACKPINK, BLACKPINK

BLACKPINK, BLACKPINK

Kick in the door, waving the coco

Papkonina chaenggyeo kkyeodeul saenggak malgo

I talk that talk, runways I walk, walk

Nun gamgo pop, pop an bwado cheok

One by one, then two by two

Nae sonkkeut tuk hanae da muneojineun jung

Gajja syo chigon hwaryeohaetji

Makes no sense, you couldn't get a dollar outta me

Ja oneul bamiya

Nan dogeul pumeun kkot

Ne honeul ppaeaseun daeum

Look what you made us do

Cheoncheonhi neol jamjaeul fire (Fire)

Janinhal mankeum areumdawo

I bring the pain like

This that pink vеnom

This that pink venom

This that pink venom

Get 'еm, get 'em, get 'em

Straight to ya dome like

Woah, woah, woah

Straight to ya dome like

Ah, ah, ah

Taste that pink venom

Taste that pink venom

Taste that pink venom

Get 'em, get 'em, get 'em

Straight to ya dome like

Woah, woah, woah

Straight to ya dome like

Ah, ah, ah

See upcoming pop shows

Get tickets for your favorite artists

Black paint and ammo, got bodies like Rambo

Rest in peace, please light up a candle

This the life of a vandal, masked up and I'm still in CELINE

Designer crimes or it wouldn't be me, ooh

Diamonds shining, drive in silence, I don't mind it, I'm riding

Flying private side by side with the pilot up in the sky

And I'm wilding, styling on them and there's no chance

'Cause we got bodies on bodies like this a slow dance

Ja oneul bamiya

Nan dogeul pumeun kkot

Ne honeul ppaeaseun daeum

Look what you made us do

Cheoncheonhi neol jamjaeul fire (Fire)

Janinhal mankeum areumdawo

I bring the pain like

This that pink venom

This that pink venom

This that pink venom

Get 'em, get 'em, get 'em

Straight to ya dome like

Woah, woah, woah

Straight to ya dome like

Ah, ah, ah

Taste that pink venom

Taste that pink venom

Taste that pink venom

Get 'em, get 'em, get 'em

Straight to ya dome like

Woah, woah, woah

Straight to ya dome like

Ah, ah, ah

Wonhandamyeon provoke us

Gamdang mothae and you know this

Imi peojyeobeorin shot that potion

Ne nunapeun pingkeubit ocean

Come and give me all the smoke

Do animyeon mo like I'm so rock and roll

Come and give me all the smoke

Da jul sewo bwa ja stop, drop

I bring the pain like

Brra-ta-ta-ta, trra-ta-ta-ta

Brra-ta-ta-ta, trra-ta-ta-ta

Brra-ta-ta-ta, trra-ta-ta-ta

Straight to ya, straight to ya, straight to ya dome like

Brra-ta-ta-ta, trra-ta-ta-ta (BLACKPINK)

Brra-ta-ta-ta, trra-ta-ta-ta (BLACKPINK)

Brra-ta-ta-ta, trra-ta-ta-ta (BLACKPINK)

I bring the pain like

BLACKPINK's "Pink Venom" has made a significant impact on the global music scene, showcasing the group's growth and versatility. The song's unique blend of traditional Korean instruments, hip-hop influences, and EDM elements has created a distinctive sonic experience that sets it apart from their previous releases. This fusion of styles has allowed BLACKPINK to push the boundaries of their musical repertoire while maintaining their signature sound.

The success of "Pink Venom" across various platforms highlights the global appeal of BLACKPINK's music and the growing influence of K-pop in the international music industry. The song's record-breaking performance on charts and streaming platforms demonstrates the group's ability to captivate audiences worldwide. This achievement not only cements BLACKPINK's status as global icons but also paves the way for future innovations in K-pop.

The empowering lyrics and visually stunning music video of "Pink Venom" further reinforce BLACKPINK's position as trendsetters in the industry. The video's incorporation of traditional Korean elements alongside modern pop aesthetics showcases the group's commitment to their cultural roots while embracing contemporary styles. This approach has resonated with fans and critics alike, contributing to the song's widespread appeal.

As BLACKPINK continues to evolve, "Pink Venom" serves as a testament to their artistic vision and their ability to stay relevant in a rapidly changing music landscape. The song's success encourages other artists to explore diverse musical styles and cultural elements, potentially influencing the future direction of K-pop and global pop music.