BLACKPINK Anniversary: The Untold Story Behind Their 6-Year Journey

BLACKPINK's remarkable journey reached a significant milestone on their anniversary date, August 8, 2022, marking six years of record-breaking achievements. The K-pop powerhouse has earned six Guinness World Records, including the most viewed YouTube video in 24 hours and the highest number of YouTube subscribers for a music artist.

Notable accomplishments include becoming the first K-pop girl group to top both UK and US album charts with "Born Pink." The group's success extends beyond music charts, as they currently hold the title of most streamed female group on Spotify. Their "Born Pink" world tour spans 26 cities across seven months, establishing itself as the largest tour ever conducted by a K-pop girl group. With 117 awards and 357 nominations under their belt, BLACKPINK continues to set new standards in the global music industry.

From Trainees to Global Stars

BLACKPINK's formation began in 2010 when YG Entertainment conducted worldwide auditions to create their next girl group after 2NE1. The rigorous recruitment process brought together trainees from diverse backgrounds, subsequently shaping one of K-pop's most successful groups.

Early training days at YG Entertainment

The trainees underwent intense 12-hour daily training sessions, seven days a week. These sessions focused on singing, dancing, and rapping, followed by monthly evaluations to assess their progress. Lisa, who arrived from Thailand, initially struggled with the language barrier but received support from her fellow trainees - Jennie helped with English while Jisoo assisted with Korean.

Selecting the final members

Initially planned as a seven-member group, the selection process spanned several years. Jennie, the first to join in August 2010, trained for six years. Subsequently, Lisa signed in April 2011, followed by Jisoo in July 2011, both training for five years. Rosé, the final member, joined in May 2012 after winning an audition in Australia with a remarkable competition ratio of 700:1.

Creating the BLACKPINK identity

The group's distinctive identity emerged naturally during their training period. Unlike other trainee groups that often experienced conflicts over parts and positions, these four members demonstrated exceptional synergy. Their chemistry was evident during their first group practice, leading YG Entertainment to finalize them as the permanent members.

The name BLACKPINK, revealed on June 29, 2016, carried a deeper meaning beyond its surface appeal. The contrast between "black" and "pink" symbolized that the group would showcase more than just beauty - representing both their fierce talent and feminine charm. This dual concept distinguished them from conventional girl groups, setting the foundation for their future success.

During their trainee period, the members faced numerous challenges, from living in cockroach-infested dorms to managing limited food budgets. Nevertheless, these shared experiences strengthened their bond, creating a sisterhood that transcended their professional relationship. Their determination through these hardships ultimately contributed to their powerful stage presence and authentic connection with fans.

Breaking Records From Day One

Setting unprecedented records from their debut, BLACKPINK swiftly established themselves as a powerhouse in the K-pop industry. The quartet's debut tracks "Whistle" and "Boombayah" immediately dominated charts, with "Whistle" achieving a Perfect All-Kill on South Korean music charts. Simultaneously, "Boombayah" secured the top position on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart.

First music show win

In a groundbreaking achievement, BLACKPINK secured their first music show victory on SBS's Inkigayo just 13 days after their debut, making them the fastest girl group to accomplish this feat. This remarkable accomplishment surpassed the previous record held by miss A, who achieved their first win in 22 days. The group's debut track "Whistle" topped eight major music streaming platforms in South Korea, specifically MelOn, Monkey3, Olleh Music, Naver Music, Bugs, Mnet, Soribada, and Genie.

International chart achievements

Following their initial success, BLACKPINK continued to shatter records across global music charts. Their 2018 release "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" marked several historic firsts - it debuted at No. 55 on the Billboard Hot 100, establishing the highest-charting position for a K-pop girl group at that time. Additionally, the song's music video garnered 36.2 million views within its first 24 hours.

The group's achievements extended beyond streaming platforms. "Playing with Fire" became their second track to reach No. 1 on Billboard's World Digital Songs chart. Furthermore, it made history as the first K-pop girl group song to enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100.

Their impact on the global music scene continued to grow as "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" received gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), making BLACKPINK the first Korean girl group to achieve this milestone. The music video also became the first by a K-pop group to surpass 1 billion views on YouTube.

Their sophomore EP "Square Up" debuted at No. 40 on the Billboard 200, marking another significant achievement as the highest-charting album by a female K-pop group at that time. These accomplishments solidified BLACKPINK's position as trailblazers in the international music scene.

Major Career Milestones

Marking a groundbreaking milestone in K-pop history, BLACKPINK's ascent to global stardom reached new heights through their historic performances and record-shattering achievements.

Coachella performance impact

After making history as the first K-pop girl group to perform at Coachella in 2019, BLACKPINK elevated their status by becoming the first Asian act to headline the prestigious festival in 2023. Their electrifying performance drew 125,000 live attendees alongside 250 million online viewers. The group's dominance at Coachella extended beyond the stage, commanding 78.1% of social media buzz among 9.6 million festival-related posts.

First K-pop girl group achievements

Throughout their journey, BLACKPINK consistently shattered industry barriers. Their second studio album "Born Pink" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, establishing them as the first South Korean female act to achieve this distinction. Moreover, they made history as the first K-pop girl group to receive gold BRIT certification in the United Kingdom with "THE ALBUM".

Historic world tour numbers

The BORN PINK World Tour solidified BLACKPINK's position as global entertainment powerhouses. Spanning 66 concerts across 22 countries, the tour attracted 1.8 million attendees, setting a record as the most-attended concert tour by a K-pop girl group. The tour's financial success proved equally impressive, generating approximately USD 281.03 million in total earnings.

At Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium, the group set another milestone by earning USD 11.43 million, marking the highest-grossing concert by a vocal group in history. Their Australian performances further demonstrated their global appeal, with sold-out shows in Sydney and Melbourne generating USD 4.71 million and USD 4.10 million respectively.

Lisa's solo performance at the 97th Academy Awards on March 3, 2023, marked yet another historic achievement, as she became the first K-pop artist to grace the prestigious Dolby Theatre stage. This performance symbolized BLACKPINK's influence in bridging cultural boundaries and establishing new benchmarks for K-pop artists worldwide.

Awards and Recognition

Since their debut, BLACKPINK's trophy cabinet continues to expand with prestigious accolades across global music platforms. The quartet has amassed an impressive collection of over 150 awards from various ceremonies, alongside more than 300 nominations worldwide.

Total daesang count

In a significant milestone, BLACKPINK secured their first daesang (grand prize) at the Seoul Success Awards 2022 in the singer category. Prior to this achievement, the group had faced challenges in securing daesang awards despite their commercial success. At present, their daesang collection includes notable wins at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) and Golden Disc Awards.

Global music awards

The group's international recognition spans multiple prestigious platforms. Their achievements at the MTV Video Music Awards stand out particularly, as they became the first K-pop girl group to win an MTV VMA. Their single "How You Like That" earned them five Guinness World Records, notably for the most-viewed video on YouTube in 24 hours.

BLACKPINK's excellence extends beyond music videos. Their accomplishments include:

Korean Music Awards: Over 60 awards, encompassing both Daesang and Bonsang honors

In 2023, BLACKPINK made history at the MTV Video Music Awards by becoming the first girl group in the 21st century to win Group of the Year. Their influence in the fashion industry has earned them recognition at prestigious events such as the Elle Style Awards, where they received the Icons of the Year honor.

The group's streaming achievements have secured them multiple Guinness World Records in 2023, certifying them as the most-streamed female group on Spotify alongside holding the record for the most-viewed music channel for a group on YouTube. Their second studio album "Born Pink" demonstrated their global dominance by topping both US and UK album charts, establishing them as the first K-pop girl group to achieve this feat.

Building the BLACKPINK Brand

Beyond their musical prowess, BLACKPINK has redefined fashion influence in the K-pop industry through strategic brand partnerships and distinctive style choices. Each member's unique fashion identity contributes to their collective impact on global trends.

Fashion influence

The quartet's fashion journey began with their first photoshoot as BLACKPINK, orchestrated by stylist Choi Kyung Won, who aimed to position them "at the epicentre of women's fashion in South Korea". Their influence extends across high-end fashion circuits, where their presence generates substantial media impact. At Chanel's March show, Jennie's appearance alone generated USD 3.60 million in media value.

Lisa's fashion trajectory exemplifies their individual style evolution. After her debut front-row appearance at Prada's autumn/winter 2020 show, she ascended to fashion elite status. Her recent appearance at Louis Vuitton's autumn/winter 2024 show showcased a resplendent look featuring intricate floral motifs.

Global endorsements

The group's endorsement portfolio spans prestigious fashion houses, with each member securing exclusive ambassadorships. Jisoo represents Dior and Cartier, Jennie partners with Chanel, Rosé collaborates with Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co., whereas Lisa fronts campaigns for Celine and Bulgari.

Their influence translates into significant commercial impact. According to industry reports, Lisa commands approximately USD 600,000 per endorsement. The group's collective endorsements generate substantial earned media value, often exceeding millions per campaign.

Their brand partnerships extend beyond fashion, encompassing technology giants plus consumer brands. Notable collaborations include:

Samsung's limited edition Galaxy A80
Adidas's "Change Is a Team Sport" campaign
Exclusive Oreo editions across seven Asian markets

The impact of their endorsements manifests in tangible sales results. For instance, Self-Portrait sold through five production runs of a cardigan after Jennie wore it in a Netflix documentary. Tiffany & Co. acknowledged significant audience growth through their partnership with Rosé, even featuring her on an eight-story-high billboard at their flagship store.