BLACKPINK Members Solo Projects and Achievements: An In-Depth Analysis
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Summary
- BLACKPINK Members' Solo Ventures
- Achievements in Streaming and Popularity
- Controversies and Public Perception
- Collaborations and Praise from Peers
- Solo Projects Under New Labels and Acting Ventures
- Conclusion
1. Summary
The report titled 'BLACKPINK Members Solo Projects and Achievements: An In-Depth Analysis' examines the solo ventures and accomplishments of BLACKPINK members Lisa, Jisoo, Rosé, and Jennie. It highlights Lisa's latest solo track ‘ROCKSTAR,’ success stories of Jennie surpassing one billion streams on Spotify, and the solo releases of the other members. The report also discusses pre-debut collaborations, individual styles, and significant milestones on streaming platforms. Additionally, it addresses controversies such as plagiarism allegations against Lisa's ‘ROCKSTAR’ and public perception issues. The report underscores the members' ability to maintain relevance and captive audiences both as a group and independently.
2. BLACKPINK Members' Solo Ventures
2-1. Individual Pursuits
Lisa, Jisoo, Rosé, and Jennie of BLACKPINK have proven to be powerful singers, songwriters, and performers individually, alongside their group activities. Each member has nurtured their solo careers, showcasing their talents beyond their roles in the group BLACKPINK. Lisa dropped her first solo tracks in 2021, followed by Jisoo in 2023. Jennie and Rosé also pursued solo projects, demonstrating their musical prowess as individual artists.
2-2. Collaborations Prior to BLACKPINK Debut
Before the members debuted with BLACKPINK in 2016, some had already ventured into the music industry through collaborations. Specifically, Jennie worked on numerous songs with established artists in 2013, and Rosé lent her voice to a G-Dragon track before joining BLACKPINK. These early collaborations laid the foundation for their future success as solo artists.
2-3. Solo Releases of Members
Since their debut, all four BLACKPINK members have released solo projects. Lisa’s solo track ‘ROCKSTAR,’ released on June 28, 2023, marked a significant milestone in her career. The song quickly ascended to the ‘Trending Songs’ Top 10 and garnered 7 million views within three hours of its release. Notably, Lisa started her own label, LLOUD, and partnered with RCA Records under Sony Music to release ‘ROCKSTAR.’ Jennie, Rosé, and Jisoo have also pursued their solo ventures, with Jennie notably hitting 1 billion streams on Spotify, underscoring her popularity and musical abilities. Together, these solo efforts have allowed the members to express their individuality and captivate audiences independently of the group.
3. Achievements in Streaming and Popularity
3-1. Jennie, Lisa & BTS’ Members Reaching Billion Streams
BLACKPINK's Jennie, Lisa, and BTS members Jungkook and Jimin have all achieved significant milestones on Spotify, each surpassing one billion streams on the platform. Jennie reached this milestone with 'One of the Girls,' a collaboration with The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp, released in December 2023. Lisa achieved her first billion streams with 'MONEY' in April 2023. Jungkook surpassed five billion streams on Spotify before beginning his military service, and Jimin's EP 'FACE' holds the record for the fastest K-pop release to reach one billion streams.
3-2. First Female Korean Soloist to Surpass 1 Billion Streams
Jennie from BLACKPINK became the first female Korean soloist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify with her song 'One of the Girls.' This track, a collaboration with The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp, was featured in HBO's 'The Idol' series and achieved the milestone in just 376 days, faster than Lisa's 'MONEY,' which took 739 days.
3-3. Comparison between Members’ Popularity and Style
Jennie's achievements in streaming reflect her immense popularity and are highlighted by the rapid success of 'One of the Girls.' Lisa's musical style, evidenced by her track 'MONEY,' resonates strongly with audiences and underscores her unique presence as a Thai artist in the K-pop industry. Comparatively, BTS members Jungkook and Jimin also exhibit immense popularity, with their musical releases continuing to draw significant attention despite their ongoing military service.
4. Controversies and Public Perception
4-1. Plagiarism Accusations Surrounding ROCKSTAR
On July 4, 2024, BLACKPINK's Lisa faced plagiarism accusations for her latest single, 'ROCKSTAR,' due to allegations from Travis Scott's FE!N MV director, Gabriel Moses. Moses shared screenshots comparing Lisa's video to sequences from the FE!N music video on his Instagram story and claimed that Lisa and her team used a scene without permission. Despite attempts to clear the accusations, the controversy intensified when Moses shared additional assertions on July 5 regarding the involvement of his video editor. Fans of Lisa have defended her, citing the common industry practice of drawing inspiration from existing works. However, Lisa's management team has yet to issue an official response. The video for 'ROCKSTAR' reached 87 million views on YouTube as of July 7, 2024.
4-2. Fans Begging Lisa Not to Post Certain Brands
Fans have implored BLACKPINK's Lisa not to post photos with products from specific brands. On June 28, 2024, following the release of her music video 'ROCKSTAR,' Lisa visited a Pop Mart store in France. Previous interactions with the brand have caused dramatic price surges and rapid sell-outs of products due to her influence. Fans expressed their concerns humorously and seriously, suggesting that her promotion of the brand has made it difficult for collectors to purchase their favorite items at reasonable prices. The incident exemplifies Lisa’s vast influence on consumer behavior.
4-3. Mixed Reactions to ROCKSTAR Lyrics
Lisa's solo track 'ROCKSTAR,' released on June 28, 2024, has garnered mixed reactions, particularly regarding its lyrics. Critics argue that the lyrics lack depth and are superficial, focusing mainly on self-promotion. Some fans have claimed the lyrics to have hidden meanings, including potential disses aimed at fellow BLACKPINK member Jennie, but these interpretations have sparked further controversy. Supporters have attempted to defend Lisa by providing alternate interpretations of her lyrical content, though this has led to accusations of causing discord within the BLACKPINK fandom.
5. Collaborations and Praise from Peers
5-1. Support from Fellow BLACKPINK Members
On June 28, 2024, BLACKPINK's Lisa received support for her latest single, 'Rockstar,' from fellow BLACKPINK members through their social media platforms. Jisoo posted two Instagram stories praising Lisa's work, with captions translated as 'You're so cool!! Rockstar Lisa' and 'Rockstar Lisa is here. Please give lots of love and support to Lisa's song.' Rosé also shared a picture of Lisa from 'Rockstar' on her Instagram story, expressing excitement with the caption 'Whoooooop Go Off Sissss, @lalalalisa_m is Hereee.' Furthermore, Jennie posted a clip from the 'Rockstar' music video, captioning it 'So cool. Our f**king rockstar, you're so cool Lalisa!' Lisa acknowledged this support by reposting their stories and expressing her appreciation.
5-2. Praise from Other K-Pop Artists
Lisa's single 'Rockstar' also garnered praise from other K-pop artists. Stray Kids' Bang Chan shared his admiration on the South Korean social media platform Bubble, referring to the track as 'Insane' and revealing it was added to his workout playlist. He stated, 'Have you listened to Lisa's new song?? It's insane. Hahaha. Added to my workout playlist.' The show of support from a peer in the industry highlights the widespread recognition of Lisa's new single.
5-3. Notable Collaborations and Participations in Challenges
BLACKPINK's Rosé celebrated Lisa's solo comeback by joining the 'ROCKSTAR' challenge. In a video posted on Lisa's official TikTok account, the duo performed a dance to the track, showcasing stylish moves and receiving enthusiastic responses from fans. The collaboration reminded fans of previous dance challenges and underscored the strong bond between the members. The video quickly garnered significant attention, surpassing 3 million views and 1 million likes within two hours of its upload. Additionally, Rosé visited Lisa's Beverly Hills mansion to film the dance challenge, where Lisa presented Rosé with a Labubu Macaron doll as a token of appreciation. The challenge and their interaction reaffirmed the supportive and collaborative spirit within the group.
6. Solo Projects Under New Labels and Acting Ventures
6-1. Lisa’s New Track under LLOUD
On June 28, 2024, Lisa released her solo comeback music video titled 'ROCKSTAR,' marking her first solo project under her newly established label LLOUD, formed in February 2024. This release is also Lisa’s first solo work since her debut solo track 'LALISA' in 2021. The song 'ROCKSTAR' has achieved significant attention and success, including entering the 'Trending Song' Top 10 with 7 million views within the first 3 hours of release. 'ROCKSTAR' was produced in collaboration with American label RCA Records under Sony Music. Lisa worked with notable producers such as Ryan Tedder and Sam Homaee for the track. The song's lyrics and music video reflect a futuristic Y3K theme, encompassing sparkling makeup, metallic props, and sci-fi-like elements, filmed in Bangkok, Thailand. Lisa’s influence extended beyond music, as her casual purchases from Pop Mart caused a dramatic 400% price surge on designer toys. This emphasizes her massive public influence, where even her hobbies create significant market ripples.
6-2. Hollywood Debuts and Upcoming Acting Projects
Lisa is also making strides in her acting career. She is set to debut in Hollywood through HBO’s 'The White Lotus' Season 3, portraying one of the resort's guests in the series set in Thailand. This marks her first acting role and another significant milestone in her career. The television series is highly anticipated, especially considering its Emmy Award-winning second season. The French author Julien Dufresne-Lamy published a novel titled 'Spectacle,' which includes stories about Lisa’s life and her journey from Bangkok to becoming one of the most popular global singers. This novel reflects on her growth, openness, and perseverance in the competitive K-pop industry.
7. Conclusion
The report illustrates the remarkable versatility and individual success of BLACKPINK members in their solo ventures. Jennie’s milestone of surpassing one billion streams on Spotify with her song reflects her immense popularity and musical skill. Lisa’s solo projects, particularly ‘ROCKSTAR,’ have received both praise and criticism, highlighting her adventurous spirit and the inherent challenges of maintaining a solo career within a group. Despite controversies, the members' mutual support and the positive reception from peers portray the strong unity within the K-pop industry. The solo endeavors signal promising careers, hinting at future advancements and persistent influence in the global music and entertainment scene. However, to ensure lasting impact, addressing public perception and potential controversies will be crucial for their sustained success.