Global music phenomenon BLACKPINK marked its 10th anniversary on August 8th, celebrating a decade since their impactful debut. Emerging in August 2016 with the powerful tracks ‘Whistle’ and ‘Boombayah,’ the quartet has consistently broken records for female artists, reshaping the global music landscape over the past ten years. Their journey is marked by a series of ‘firsts’ and ‘bests,’ solidifying their status as K-pop royalty.
A Decade of Fan Connection: The ‘Meet & Greet’ Event
To commemorate their 10th anniversary, all four members—Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa—participated in a special fan event titled ‘Meet & Greet’ held at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul. Despite initial concerns about scheduling conflicts due to some members’ international commitments, the group prioritized this milestone, ensuring full attendance. This dedication underscores their commitment to their fanbase, known as ‘BLINKs.’
The event, however, faced some logistical challenges that sparked discussion among fans. With a limited capacity of only 40 attendees, and announced just two days prior to the anniversary, the application period was a mere nine hours, leading to intense competition for spots. Early announcements indicating that only some members might be able to attend due to scheduling issues had also caused some fan dissatisfaction.
Member Jisoo addressed the fans’ concerns directly through the fan community, expressing her apologies. She stated, ‘This anniversary feels like a day of great regret.’ She added, ‘For ten years, I wanted to always show you my best and be a source of happiness during difficult times. Seeing so many BLINKs upset makes my heart heavy.’ Jisoo emphasized the fans’ role in their success: ‘We haven’t forgotten that it’s BLINKs who have made BLACKPINK shine so brightly.’ She concluded with sincere apologies and heartfelt thanks, saying, ‘I am sorry again for causing such great disappointment, and I always thank you and love you.’
Jennie shared a group photo on her social media, reflecting on the unwavering support she has received. ‘The fact that there are people who wait for me, believe in me, and cheer for me in the same place always gives me immense strength, a feeling that grows deeper with time,’ she wrote. ‘Thanks to you, I’ve been able to achieve so many dreams. And as ‘Jennie’ who walked alongside BLINK, I’ve come to know and love myself more.’
Rosé also spoke to the fans, recalling their journey from debut at 19 to their current age of 29. ‘You’ve watched our every step as we grew, even with our imperfections, and cheered us on, allowing us to achieve countless dreams that a singer can only dream of,’ she said. ‘Let’s continue to grow together, supporting each other healthily and happily, as BLINK and BLACKPINK.’
Lisa also extended her greetings, acknowledging the swift passage of time. ‘Ten years have already passed. Whether it was a joyful moment or a difficult one, BLINK was there, which is why we could come this far,’ she shared. ‘Thank you sincerely for always being with us for the long journey of ten years, and I love you.’
The venue, the National Museum of Korea, holds significance as BLACKPINK previously held a listening party for their mini-album ‘Special Edition’ there in February.
A Decade of Unprecedented Achievements: Global Impact
BLACKPINK’s achievements over the past decade have significantly elevated K-pop’s standing in the global music market. Since their debut on August 8, 2016, with ‘Whistle’ and ‘Boombayah,’ the group has amassed an impressive list of accolades.
- Chart Dominance: With their 2022 full album ‘BORN PINK,’ BLACKPINK became the first Asian female artist to top both the US Billboard 200 and the UK Official Albums Chart Top 100 simultaneously. This feat was the first for a girl group in 21 years, following Destiny’s Child.
- Singles Success: They have charted 11 songs on the US Billboard Hot 100, the most for any K-pop girl group. Their track ‘JUMMP’ notably topped both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. US charts, marking a first for a K-pop girl group.
- Certifications: BLACKPINK recently achieved French Syndicate National de l’Édition Phonographique (SNEP) Single Diamond certification, another first for a K-pop girl group. Their hit song ‘As If It’s Your Last’ earned a Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), bringing their total BPI single certifications to 11, the highest for a K-pop girl group.
- Album Sales: Their first full album, ‘THE ALBUM,’ made them the first K-pop girl group to become a million-seller. ‘BORN PINK’ achieved double million-seller status and later triple million-seller status (as of March 2026). The mini-album ‘Special Edition’ set a record for the highest first-week sales for a girl group, selling over 1.77 million copies.
- Digital Presence: BLACKPINK’s official YouTube channel was the first globally to surpass 100 million subscribers in February of this year, with total views exceeding 42.6 billion. On Spotify, they are recognized as the most-streamed female group worldwide, with over 17.6 billion streams to date.
Global Tours and Festivals: Cultural Icons
BLACKPINK’s influence extends beyond music charts to massive global tours and festival appearances, cementing their status as a cultural phenomenon.
- World Tours: Their first world tour drew 470,000 fans, setting a new record for a K-pop girl group. The second world tour, [BORN PINK], attracted approximately 1.8 million fans, surpassing their previous record. The recent ‘Special Edition’ world tour, spanning 16 cities and 33 shows, further demonstrated their immense global ticket-selling power, with sold-out stadium shows in Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium) and historic performances at London’s Wembley Stadium, marking the first for a K-pop girl group.
- Festival Headliners: BLACKPINK has significantly expanded K-pop’s presence at major global music festivals. They headlined the US’s largest music festival, Coachella, in 2019 and returned in 2023 as the first Asian artist to headline the main stage. They also became the first K-pop artist to headline the UK’s BST Hyde Park.
Beyond Music: A Multifaceted Brand and Cultural Ambassadors
The synergy between the members’ distinct personalities and their collective power has established BLACKPINK as a unique brand and cultural icon, transcending music. Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa have become generational icons, leading not only in music but also in fashion, beauty, and acting.
Individually, the members have achieved global recognition in various fields. Jisoo has made her mark in acting, while Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa have excelled in music and fashion. Their distinct styles and talents, when united under the BLACKPINK banner, create an unparalleled identity. They have also been recognized for their cultural contributions, receiving Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) from King Charles III in 2023. In celebration of their 10th anniversary, they collaborated with MU (Mutt’s), a cultural merchandise brand from the National Museum of Korea, to release the ‘BLACKPINK Heritage Collection,’ blending traditional and contemporary Korean culture.
A Singaporean publication, The Straits Times, described BLACKPINK as a rare model, noting, ‘All four members have proven their top-tier global star status in their individual endeavors—fashion, acting, and music—while simultaneously maintaining their synergy as a group. It’s a truly remarkable example.’
Following their contract renewal with YG Entertainment in 2023 for group activities, the members are pursuing individual endeavors under their respective labels: Jennie’s ODD ATELIER, Lisa’s LLOUD, Jisoo’s BLISSOO, and Rosé’s THEBLACKLABEL.
