BLACKPINK’s Hardships and Struggles Before Becoming the Biggest K-pop Idol Group in The World

BLACKPINK, as hailed by Vogue, is currently the largest K-pop girl group on the planet. Indeed, the idol group didn’t only top major charts domestically and internationally through their best discographies, but they are also snatching every ambassador role in luxury fashion and jewelry lines. 

In addition to this, the girl band’s individual members have their own influence and power in social media and in the industry as well, making them stand out among other K-pop groups with their joined popularity. 

However, before they were able to experience the success and fame that they have right now, the four members have to pay the price by sacrificing other things that they want and “thread the needle” and all to stand where they are now. 

Starting from their trainee days, BLACKPINK experienced a surge of hardships and waves of struggles, but despite everything, the group stands together, and those obstacles made them stronger.

1. TRAINING PERIOD

While other K-pop idols are being fortunate to debut within months and a year, BLACKPINK members are some of the idols with a longer period of training. Jennie has to deal with almost six years of training, Lisa for five years and three months, Jisoo for five years and Rosé for four years and two months. 

Before becoming trainees, they have to fight with thousands of aspiring trainees to be casted in YG Entertainment. Luckily, they were able to make it, but the real-life survival started here. As trainees, they have to face the agency’s boss and be evaluated. 

According to Jennie’s interview in 2018, she revealed the harsh life they have to experience as trainees for almost six years. 

“Every YG producer with the boss came every end of the month for our evaluation. Every month we have to prepare one solo song, one group song and dance song. We are responsible for choosing clothes, groups, which part to take, decide which song, make an MR, and do the choreography.”

“It was a cold world, but that harsh time is what sums up the BLACKPINK today,” she added. 

Thinking about this, Lisa and Jennie were 14 years old when they became a trainee, while Rosé and Jisoo are 15 and 16, respectively. At a young age, they have to deal with the diet and strict schedules during their training. 

2. UPS and DOWNS

Lisa, who is now the ambassador and muse of top brands, including Celine, Prada, and BVLGARI, must have to deal with the language barrier as a full Thai. When she went to Korea, she can barely speak Korean, making it harder to communicate with others. Meanwhile, Jennie, who is the first girl solo artist to achieve 500 Million views on YouTube and Chanel’s Ambassador, once walked the path of darkness, losing her confidence and all. 

Rosé as well, left Melbourne to make things work for her as an idol. She’s actually set to study law but dropped out to follow her dreams. Now, Rosé is the K-pop idols with the golden voice, set to debut as a solo artist later this year. While Jisoo, who have dropping self-esteem as a trainee due to the feeling of lacking something, still push through and is now Dior’s Miss Korea, and one of the most beautiful idols full of talents. 

3. SCANDALS and CRITICISMS FROM HATERS

Upon their debut, they eventually climbed up to the top, and establish a huge and strong fandom. However, as their popularity is skyrocketing, the crowd’s attention is focused on them, making them more vulnerable to haters and scandals. 

Lisa, get a lot of hate from Knetz for being “ugly” and not passing the Korean standards. Due to this, she’s receiving death threats and painful messages from haters. 

On the other hand, Jennie was also accused of being a lazy member, accused of being pregnant, and was harshly criticized for dating. Jisoo also experienced hate from netizens, labeling her as a “visual idol” only who can’t sing and dance, while Rosé was being questioned about her singing talent. 

4. HIATUS

BLACKPINK, despite popularity, was given the least opportunity from their agency. This is for the reason that before their “How You Like That” single release, they have a year-long hiatus, with almost none appearance aside from their CFs and photoshoots.

This also sparks BLINKs to became angry and send protest trucks in front of YG buildings for continuously postponing the idol group’s comeback and other releases. 

Right Now, BLACKPINK is gearing up for their second single, releasing a teaser poster on this day with the titile, “The Album.”