BLACKPINK is one of the most popular K-pop girl groups in the world. The four member group – Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa – debuted under YG Entertainment in 2016 and quickly rose to fame both domestically and internationally. But when exactly was the peak of BLACKPINK’s popularity and success? In this article, we’ll examine BLACKPINK’s career trajectory and identify the key moments and achievements that marked the group’s peak years.
BLACKPINK’s Debut and Early Years (2016-2017)
BLACKPINK made their highly anticipated debut on August 8, 2016 with the release of their first single album “Square One” containing the songs “Boombayah” and “Whistle.” The music videos for both tracks immediately went viral, earning over 30 million views on YouTube within the first month. Propelled by their strong debut, BLACKPINK landed several rookie awards and established themselves as the new “it” girl group.
Some key achievements and moments from BLACKPINK’s debut year:
- First K-pop girl group to debut under YG Entertainment in 7 years
- “Whistle” ranked #1 on Gaon Digital Chart, “Boombayah” ranked #2
- Only girl group to enter Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart in 2016
- Became fastest K-pop group to perform at Coachella in 2017
In 2017, BLACKPINK focused on overseas activities including performances at major U.S. festivals like Coachella. They also held their first Japan arena tour. While 2017 saw modest domestic success, it paved the way for bigger things to come.
Meteoric Rise to Fame (2018)
2018 was the year BLACKPINK truly catapulted into superstardom and became a household name. It was the pivotal year where everything seemed to align perfectly – from their music releases to viral dance challenges to brand endorsements.
Some major highlights of 2018:
- “DDU-DU DDU-DU” breaks YouTube records
- Light up the stage at Korean music awards shows
- First K-pop girl group to top Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart
- Named most popular celebrities by YouTube Korea
- Ranked among top artists globally by Spotify
In June 2018, BLACKPINK made their long awaited comeback with the single “DDU-DU DDU-DU” and it was an instant hit. The music video broke several YouTube records including:
- Most viewed K-pop group music video in first 24 hours (36.2 million views)
- Fastest K-pop group music video to reach 100 million views (less than 3 days)
- Most viewed music video by a K-pop group (OVER 1.1 billion views to date)
“DDU-DU DDU-DU” topped both Korean and international charts for weeks. The signature dance move inspired thousands of social media covers. At Korea’s major year-end music awards, BLACKPINK won Best Female Group, Best Dance track, Song of the Year for “DDU-DU DDU-DU”, and the daesang (grand prize) at the Melon Music Awards.
By the end of 2018, BLACKPINK had the 2nd most subscribed YouTube channel among all K-pop groups. They were the first K-pop girl group to enter Emerging Artists chart on Billboard at #1. Spotify included them in the Top 10 K-pop Artists globally. Both domestically and around the world, BLACKPINK was now a household name.
Continued Global Growth (2019-Present)
BLACKPINK’s popularity continued to surge in 2019 with sold-out world tours and innovative marketing strategies. They focused heavily on the U.S. market with performances at major festivals like Coachella and collaborations with pop stars like Lady Gaga.
Some major achievements since 2019:
- First K-pop girl group to perform at Coachella (both in 2019 and 2022)
- Collaboration with Lady Gaga on “Sour Candy” reaches #33 on Billboard Hot 100
- Release first full album “The Album” which sells over 1 million copies
- Hold largest world tour by female K-pop group in 2019-2020
- Partner with brands like PUBG, Louis Vuitton, Celine, Dolce & Gabbana
- Lisa’s solo single “Lalisa” breaks records for fastest music video to reach 100 million YouTube views
- Jisoo stars as lead actress in K-drama series Snowdrop in 2021
- Named Global Brand Ambassadors for Dior, Adidas, Sprite
While 2018 marked their initial explosion in popularity, BLACKPINK has continued reaching new heights every year. They have broken YouTube records, topped domestic and international charts, landed major brand deals, pursued successful solo projects, and toured sold-out stadiums around the world.
Visualizing BLACKPINK’s Growth in Numbers
Here is a table visualizing some key stats that demonstrate BLACKPINK’s phenomenal growth over the years:
| Metric | 2016 (Debut) | 2018 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube subscribers | 400,000 | 15 million | 75 million (1st among K-pop girl groups) |
| Instagram followers | 400,000 | 13 million | 78 million (1st among K-pop girl groups) |
| Twitter followers | 100,000 | 6 million | 26 million |
| Total album sales | 16,000 units (Square One) | 200,000 units (Square Up) | Over 1 million units (The Album) |
| Concert gross sales | N/A | $7.5 million (In Your Area Tour) | $32 million (The Show World Tour) |
As we can see, BLACKPINK experienced exponential growth across all key metrics like social media followers, album sales, YouTube records, and concert ticket sales from their debut until now. The ramp up from 2016 to their breakout year of 2018 is particularly stark and impressive.
Key Factors Behind BLACKPINK’s Peak Success
What were the key factors that propelled BLACKPINK to become a global pop culture sensation at their peak? Here are some of the most crucial elements:
Powerful Visuals and Choreography
BLACKPINK’s music videos are known for their bold visuals, sleek styling, and synchronized choreography. Their explosive tracks combined with intense dance routines like “DDU-DU DDU-DU” captivated fans around the world.
Diverse Musicality
While their early singles were hip-hop focused, BLACKPINK began incorporating more pop, EDM, and even acoustic sounds over the years. This versatility appealed to a wider audience globally.
Social Media Savviness
BLACKPINK understood the power of social media early on. They shared fun, behind-the-scenes content frequently across platforms like YouTube and Instagram to connect with fans on a personal level.
Fashion Icon Status
With their high-fashion visuals, BLACKPINK quickly became fashion icons sought after by luxury brands like Chanel, Saint Laurent, and Dior. Their red carpet and airport looks regularly went viral online.
Making Inroads in the West
From early U.S. appearances to collaborations with Western artists, BLACKPINK focused on promoting in America and Europe to grow their international fandom.
Relatability of Members
Despite their meteoric rise, fans found BLACKPINK members down-to-earth and relatable during interviews and live streams. This grounded persona made them even more lovable.
Conclusion: 2018 Marks BLACKPINK’s Peak
Evaluating BLACKPINK’s entire career trajectory thus far, 2018 emerges as the definitive peak year where all the stars aligned for the group. The runaway success of viral hit “DDU-DU DDU-DU” combined with their domination at major Korean award shows solidified their status as K-pop queens. 2018 was the year they truly crossed over from rookies to superstars and laid the groundwork for future global growth.
While their popularity and achievements continue to grow each year, nothing quite matches the sheer momentum and hype they garnered in 2018. It was their breakout year that thrust them into the global spotlight. However, at the rate BLACKPINK is breaking records and conquering new territories, they may very well reach even greater heights in the future.