BLACKPINK: The Trendsetters of KPOP
If you have yet to discover the biggest girl group on planet Earth, then it is time to get familiar. BlackPink is the Revolution!
BlackPink ‘BornPink’ World Tour
American Airlines Center, 10/2022
Biggest Act
Overall Rating: 3/5
Prior to their explosive 2 week performance at Coachella which fans have now deemed ‘PinkChella"‘, the four ladies of BlackPink blessed their fans, Blinks, with a World Tour. Our editor, Maggie Diep, was one of the very few fortunate Blinks to view the first concert on the tour at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
BLACKPINK is not a new name in the American music scene. In fact, they have amassed a fanbase all around the world in the 6 years prior to this concert, which is no surprise when you see the stage presence each member exudes. Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa, and Rosé all have their own distinctive vocal palette that contributes to their music.
With this being the very first stop on their North American leg of the World Tour, Maggie alongside many other Blinks had no idea what was set in place as the last BLACKPINK tour ‘In Your Area’ was in 2018. Fans all around the world were waiting patiently between the very few hand-crafted comebacks for the 4 artists to come back.
Regarded as “models for luxury brands” more than musicians, I do see the argument some naysayers bring up due to their few music releases compared to other KPOP acts of the time. It would normally take YG, their entertainment company, more than 1 year or 2 before doing BP comeback; for reference, most KPOP acts of the same caliber would do 2 comebacks in 1 year. Since their debut in 2016, the girls have had more solo activites being brand ambassadors for many brands rather than promoting as a full group. As time passes in the music industry, the question of whether they would remain together after their 7 year contract ended with YG surfaced.
However, I along with many fans, were so ecstatic when this world tour and PinkChella silenced the naysayers.
Concert
With this being my second KPOP concert of the year, I did have high expectations for the popular girl group. In many ways, I did feel like BLACKPINK kept true to the sense of a KPOP concert experience while still incorporating Western aspects to appeal to a North American fanbase.
Unlike other artists I have gone to seen in the same genre, BLACKPINK was late to open their concert. It should be noted that almost all KPOP concerts start on time and have no opening act - this is a difference with other concerts you might attend. If this was your first KPOP concert, it was surely a great one to witness. However, I could not help but notice how tired the girls were in between their songs and how the interactions with fans felt very distant.
Jennie, Lisa, Rosé, and Jisoo started off with a certified banger, ‘Pink Venom’, off of their latest album ‘Born Pink’. Adorned with the prettiest gems all over their outfits on stage, it was truly impossible to take your eyes off them. If I had to choose my favorite outfit of the night, it will go to Jennie wearing a black and green leather motor jacket during ‘Typa Girl’.
Was there anything you wish could’ve been improved?
The one complaint I had during the whole night was the lack of stage design. The overall design of the stage was 1 small catwalk and it was placed so far and difficult for fans to observe. I had a friend sitting all the way up in nosebleeds that did not see anything. The price difference between her ticket and mine was only $100, but it was a much different view from section 100s to section 300s. To fill an entire arena of adoring fans, BLACKPINK worked extra hard on their stage presence. To clarify, I am not blaming the girls on the lack of stage design. I think the arena chosen and the floor design for their stage was poorly executed which did effect the rating.
What was your favorite part(s) of the concert?
BLACKPINK does not have a huge discography, however they certainly do have enough songs that some will ultimately get cut for the concert. I love when artists go out of their way to perform their old songs that are not on the recent albums. Most KPOP concerts do this where every concert does feel like an eras tour. With 4 members, I thought it was brilliant highlighting each Pink’s solo release.
The best anticipated performance of the quartet was ironically ‘Solo’ by Jennie. To many fan’s disappoint, Jennie surprised everyone with a new unreleased song ‘You and Me’ at the time.
They ended the night bringing back some old goodies that fans have not heard in so long, such as ‘As If It’s Your Last’ and "‘Forever Young’! Those two songs alone made my money worth the concert. Speaking of money…
My favorite performance of the night has to go to Lisa with her remix of ‘Money’ and ‘Lalisa’.
I believe I am in the majority of people who recognize Lisa for her main dancing skills, even when we only knew her as the blonde dancer in their pre-debut video to Beyonce’s 7/11 on Youtube. Her ‘swagger’ cannot be replicated and is easily identifiable in the crowd of dancers. She shines even brighter when she is on stage alone. When she joins BLACKPINK for a group performance, I admire Lisa’s ability to match her members to bring balance to the group rather than outshine them.
To all the parents accompanying their young children to this BLACKPINK concert, I think we were all in shock and awe when Lisa was pole dancing. It takes tremendous strength and flexibility to be able to pole dance let alone sing. I love how PG Lisa kept it knowing young fans were in the audience and it only made me commend her more.
Ending Comments
With the encore having fans wait for 25 minutes before the Pinks reappeared on stage for 2 final songs, I wonder if it was intentional or if staff were scrambling to organize the last part of the concert.
My lower rating has to do with my expectations of BLACKPINK after being a fan of theirs for many years and attending several KPOP concerts at that point. While I don’t regret going to this concert, it did leave me wishing that we were able to learn something different about these artists seeing them live than through a black screen. There were not a lot of fan interactions and the concert felt like a showcase trying to run to the finish line rather than enjoying the moment together. It had been 4 years since any of us in North America were able to see them live. The overall planning for their amazing setlist was not as seamless as I would have hoped, however, I did notice what an improvement the Pinks had during Coachella months after.
Because I have supported them from the very beginning, I know how talented BLACKPINK is. Unfortunately, I felt like this was the sentiment many people left with as well. I can only blame management and venue planning for this outcome.
Did they exceed my expectations? No.
Did they meet it? In some ways, yes.
After seeing their Coachella performance in 2023, I am glad to observe the comments on this BLACKPINK World Tour die down. They proved to everyone why they are the biggest girl group in the world with those 4 nights alone!
What has BLACKPINK been up to since the World Tour?
Since the concert in 2022, BLACKPINK has chosen to stay as a group under their management company, YG. However, the solo activities will now reside with each member’s own agency. The only member to yet announce what she intends to do for solo activities is Rosé; however, I will absolutely keep an eye for any updates on this matter. Whether they are one or individuals, I will continue to support them as I have for the past 8 years.
