Blackpink in 2020: first album, a Netflix documentary, Selena Gomez and Lady Gaga collaborations – what a year the K-pop girl group had
- 2020 was a year like no other for Blackpink, with their biggest moment in October with the release of The Album, their first LP
- While there are many exciting female-fronted acts coming out of the K-pop scene, none have resonated half as much worldwide as Blackpink
2020 was the year of Blackpink. The K-pop quartet reaffirmed their identity as an act that resonates with millions globally, and their music reached new ears around the world – no small feat given they were unable to leave South Korea amid the global pandemic.
The group is famously brief when it comes to musical releases, only dropping a handful of songs in any given calendar year since their debut in 2016 with their first singles Whistle and Boombayah. But their slow-paced release style hasn’t stopped them from becoming the sort of girl group that every generation needs: they’re fierce in their femininity, empowered and forthright in their performances, expressive and charismatic in their fashion choices, and their songs never fail to be addictive.
The quartet blends together like the elements that go into perfume: there’s a distinct spice and style that Lisa, Jennie, Jisoo and Rosé each bring into the mix, creating a complimentary whole while still maintaining each of their own distinct identities and essences.
Blackpink feel very modern as pop divas, but also timeless. They hail from different parts of the world (Lisa is Thai, Rosé was born in New Zealand and grew up in Australia, while Jisoo and Jennie are South Korean, but the latter spent time in New Zealand), offering up a 2020s girl group that is globalised in nature.
The year saw two major boosts in Blackpink’s popularity. The first was Netflix documentary Light Up the Sky, which explored the members’ lives and careers, including their performance at the Coachella music festival in California in 2019.