Kiss and Make Up: The Untold Story Behind Dua Lipa and BLACKPINK's Hit Collaboration

"Kiss and Make Up" marked a groundbreaking moment in music history as BLACKPINK's first-ever collaboration with a non-Korean artist, Dua Lipa. Released on October 19, 2018, this East-meets-West summit not only topped charts in Malaysia and Singapore but also charted in the top 40 across nineteen countries.

The song's remarkable success speaks volumes about its global impact, making it the ninth most streamed song for a female group on Spotify with over 500 million streams. This bilingual pop anthem, blending English and Korean lyrics, became a significant milestone for both artists, becoming BLACKPINK's second entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning platinum certifications in multiple countries including Australia and New Zealand.

The Birth of an Unexpected Collaboration

The story behind "Kiss and Make Up" began with a song that waited patiently for its perfect collaborators. Written approximately a year and a half before its release, the track initially existed as a solo piece in Dua Lipa's repertoire. Despite its potential, the British singer held onto the song, sensing it needed something special to truly shine.

The path to this remarkable collaboration took an unexpected turn during Dua Lipa's Self-Titled Tour stop in Seoul. On May 6, 2018, at Yes 24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, the singer performed her first solo show in South Korea. Among the attendees were BLACKPINK members Jennie and Lisa, whose presence would soon spark a musical partnership that crossed cultural boundaries.

The backstage meetup proved to be more than just a casual encounter. Capturing the moment, Dua posted a photo with Jennie and Lisa on Instagram, playfully captioning it with BLACKPINK's signature phrase "IN YOUR AREA". The chemistry between the artists was instantaneous, with Dua later revealing she had "an absolute blast" with the BLACKPINK members.

This fortuitous meeting sparked an idea in Dua's mind. Rather than keeping "Kiss and Make Up" as a solo track, she envisioned a collaboration with BLACKPINK. "I was just like, 'Oh my god, would it be crazy if I just sent them a song and just see if they liked it and want to sing on it?'" she shared with Access Hollywood.

The response from BLACKPINK was swift and enthusiastic. After receiving the track, the group not only agreed to the collaboration nevertheless also took the initiative to adapt portions of the lyrics into Korean. What makes this partnership particularly noteworthy is that it emerged organically from artist-to-artist connection, rather than being orchestrated by record labels.

The collaboration marked a significant milestone, as it represented BLACKPINK's first feature as a complete group on another artist's album. The song found its home on "Dua Lipa — Complete Edition," the deluxe version of Dua's debut album, setting the stage for a groundbreaking cross-cultural musical endeavor.

Inside the Song Creation Process

The creative journey of "Kiss and Make Up" began with a talented team of songwriters. Dua Lipa collaborated with Chelcee Grimes, Mathieu Jomphe-Lepine, Marc Vincent, Teddy Park, Yannick Rastogi, and Zacharie Raymond to craft the original English version. After its initial creation, the song faced an interesting journey - several prominent artists including Demi Lovato, Britney Spears, and Miley Cyrus passed on the track, considering its lyrics too youthful for their style.

Original English version development

The song's production was handled by Banx & Ranx, with recording taking place at Rollover Studio in the United Kingdom. The vocal tracks were specifically captured at TaP Studio in London, subsequently, Jamie Snell mixed the track at The Hamilton in Cheam, while Chris Gehringer provided the final mastering touch at Sterling Sound in New York City.

Korean lyrics adaptation

BLACKPINK approached the bilingual aspect of the song with strategic precision. Instead of converting the entire track to English, the group maintained their signature style by incorporating both English and Korean lyrics. The English-speaking members - Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa - handled the English portions, while all four members contributed to the Korean segments.

Production challenges

The production process required careful consideration of cultural elements and linguistic nuances. The song's theme revolves around a relationship on the verge of breaking up, expressing desires for reconciliation and emotional connection. The Korean adaptation maintained this emotional core while adding cultural authenticity through carefully crafted lyrics.

The song's structure alternates between English and Korean verses, creating a seamless blend of both languages. Even without an official music video or single release promotion, the track's success spoke volumes - it secured a position in the U.S. iTunes top 40 chart, accumulated 20 million views on YouTube, and garnered more than 12 million Spotify streams shortly after release.

The final product showcased both artists at their peak, with the production team successfully merging Dua Lipa's pop sensibilities with BLACKPINK's dynamic K-pop style. This careful balance of elements ultimately created what Billboard described as "the right sound and the right style" for both artists.

Breaking Language Barriers

Breaking traditional music boundaries, "Kiss and Make Up" stands as a masterclass in bilingual songwriting. The seamless integration of English and Korean lyrics created a unique sonic landscape where both languages complemented each other naturally.

Bilingual songwriting approach

BLACKPINK approached the song with strategic precision, maintaining their signature style by weaving Korean verses between English segments. The group's English-speaking members - Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa - handled the English portions, ensuring authentic pronunciation and delivery. The vocal range spanning from G3 to C5 allowed both artists to showcase their distinctive styles.

The song's structure demonstrates thoughtful consideration of language dynamics. O, The Oprah Magazine praised how the artists' English and Korean vocals work together seamlessly, making a compelling case that language differences should not limit pop music's appeal.

Cultural elements fusion

The collaboration transcended mere language mixing, emerging as a cultural bridge between Western and K-pop sensibilities. Dua Lipa expressed genuine appreciation for how BLACKPINK translated her lyrics and made them their own. This creative exchange marked the beginning of her deeper connection with Korean artists, leading to lasting friendships within the K-pop industry.

BLACKPINK's approach to the collaboration reflected their understanding of both markets. The group maintained their characteristic bilingual style, similar to their own songs' structure, thereby preserving authenticity. This decision proved crucial in avoiding the pitfalls of previous cross-cultural collaborations that often felt forced or awkward.

The success of this linguistic fusion stems from both parties' commitment to authenticity. Paper magazine highlighted how the languages "weave together" naturally, creating a sound that fits seamlessly within both artists' discographies. Furthermore, the collaboration demonstrated how language barriers could be transformed into creative advantages when handled with cultural sensitivity and musical intelligence.

This groundbreaking partnership set new standards for cross-cultural collaborations, proving that authentic artistic expression can flourish across linguistic boundaries. As Jennie noted, the timing aligned perfectly with growing global interest in K-pop, allowing the song to serve as a bridge between different musical worlds.

Global Impact and Reception

Upon its release, "Kiss and Make Up" achieved remarkable commercial success across global markets. The electro-pop collaboration topped charts in Malaysia and Singapore, additionally securing positions within the top 40 across nineteen countries.

Chart performances worldwide

The track made history on the UK Singles Chart, debuting at number 36 and maintaining its presence for 12 weeks, establishing BLACKPINK as the first K-pop girl group to reach the UK top 40. In the United States, the song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 93, generating first-week sales of 11,000 downloads and seven million on-demand streams.

The song's streaming performance proved equally impressive, accumulating over 500 million plays on Spotify, making it the third most-streamed song by a K-pop girl group on the platform. Moreover, the track spent 175 days on Spotify's Global Daily Chart, becoming the second-longest charting song by a Korean female act.

Fan reactions

Social media erupted with enthusiasm following the collaboration announcement. Fans expressed their excitement on various platforms, with many predicting its success. One user (@cryptoninan_0) anticipated a "chart-topping" hit, alongside others who declared it a "GLOBAL HIT ALREADY!". The song's bilingual approach received particular praise from listeners who appreciated the innovative fusion of languages.

Critical reviews

Music critics responded positively to the collaboration. Mike Nied of Idolator commended BLACKPINK's "commendable performance" alongside the song's "fierce lines". Billboard's Jeff Benjamin labeled it an "excellently crafted electro-pop throbber".

The track's commercial achievements were matched by industry recognition through multiple certifications. "Kiss and Make Up" earned platinum certification in Australia and New Zealand, gold in Italy and Portugal, plus silver in the United Kingdom. As of September 2022, the song had amassed 38.6 million streams in the UK alone, solidifying its position as BLACKPINK's fourth most-streamed track in the region.

FAQS

Fans worldwide frequently ask questions about this groundbreaking collaboration between Dua Lipa and BLACKPINK. Here are the most common queries answered:

Q: Who wrote "Kiss and Make Up"? The song credits an impressive lineup of songwriters: Dua Lipa, Chelcee Grimes, Mathieu Jomphe-Lepine, Marc Vincent, Teddy Park, Yannick Rastogi, and Zacharie Raymond.

Q: What languages are used in the song? The track features both English and Korean lyrics. BLACKPINK members Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa primarily handle the English portions, whereas all four members contribute to the Korean segments.

Q: What is the song's vocal range? The song spans from G3 to C5, allowing both artists to showcase their vocal abilities within their comfortable ranges.

Q: How long did the song stay on charts? The track maintained its presence on the UK Singles Chart for 12 weeks. Additionally, it spent 175 days on Spotify's Global Daily Chart.

Q: What certifications has the song received? The song earned platinum certification in Australia and New Zealand, gold in Italy and Portugal, plus silver in the United Kingdom.

Q: How many streams does the song have? As of September 2022, the song accumulated 38.6 million streams in the UK alone. On Spotify, it surpassed 500 million streams, making it the ninth most streamed song by a female group on the platform.

Q: Was there an official music video? No, the song achieved its success without an official music video release.

Q: Which other artists considered recording the song? Before reaching BLACKPINK, several prominent artists including Demi Lovato, Britney Spears, and Miley Cyrus passed on the track, considering its lyrics too youthful for their style.

Q: Where was the song recorded? The recording took place at multiple locations: Rollover Studio in the UK for production, TaP Studio in London for vocals, The Hamilton in Cheam for mixing, and Sterling Sound in New York City for mastering.