Nothing glamorous came with no struggles, and that's exactly what BLACKPINK has gone through.
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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. Their massive success could make people envy about and wonder how could they make it? But there's nothing such as a silver lining with BLACKPINK. Every trophy, every title that they have been claimed is the result of effort and hard-work every second.
>>> See more: BLACKPINK Is Now The First 'Million Seller' K-Pop Girl Group With 'THE ALBUM'
1. TRAINEE DAYS
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.
The main rapper - Jennie had to deal with almost six years of training and sometimes she had no idea of debuting or not, just keep on training and practice.
The main dancer - Lisa had trained for five years and three months after moving all the way from Thailand to Korea on her own always practiced dancing for 15 hours a day.
The visual of BLACKPINK and also one of the most outstanding visual of the third generation of K-Pop, trained herself for five years under the roof of YG.
And the main vocal, Rosé for four years and two months just to be officially announced as a member of BLACKPINK.
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 to prepare their image at the best for debut day.
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 and even got criticized for no reason.
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, the Australian rose is widely known for their 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 becoming Dior's Miss Korea, and one of the most beautiful idols full of talents.
3. 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 serious issues that could harm the image they've been building.
Lisa, get a lot of hate from Knetz for being "ugly" and not passing the Korean standards as she is Thai and does not own the figures like a Korean girl. Due to this, she's receiving d.e.a.t.h threats and painful messages from haters on social media. How could a young girl deal with it?
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 as she forced to sound differently and uniquely for attention.
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. There was the time when YG was called as "YG dungeon" (well, still do now) because they own such talented artists but all they do is giving them break time with no music or products for them to shine.
Thanks to the huge demand for Rosé's solo, the girl now really has the opportunity to showcase her gorgeous singing voice with her own song, not covered songs anymore and let her true self exposed in music, in whichever way she wants.
Hiatus will make a good effect because it rises curiosity of people, and when the official MV is out, it will gain lots of attention. But hiatus also has two sides if we do not consider it wisely.
Seeing BLACKPINK like today, it must be an admired moment for people but for Blinks who have seen the girls living their dream from the first days, it is an overwhelming and breathtaking feeling when BLACKPINK is receiving what they deserve. There is no such things as big company (YG is BIG3 company), excuses or following their seniors (2NE1 was the first YG girl group and BLACKPINK is the 2nd), just talents being appreciated at the right moment.
Let's keep loving and supporting BLACKPINK in their future projects!
