Blackpink, the renowned K-pop girl group, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Korean band to headline a major UK music festival. Their electrifying performance at London’s BST Hyde Park captivated a sold-out crowd of 65,000 fans, some of whom traveled from across the globe to witness their captivating show.
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“We’ve been eagerly awaiting this moment since last year,” expressed Jeangil Pagunsan, who traveled all the way from the Philippines to be part of the experience. “Words cannot describe the joy we feel right now. This night was absolutely incredible.”
“Our admiration for them knows no bounds,” added her friend Rick Mae Vaporoso. “Every aspect of their performance was incredibly exciting.”
Adrian and Jess Chan, who embarked on a journey from Nottingham in the early hours of the morning, echoed similar sentiments. “We love everything about them. Their songs are fantastic, their personalities shine, and they bring so much energy to the stage.”
For mother and daughter Michelle and Yazmin Glackin, their journey was fraught with challenges, as their early morning flight from Northern Ireland was canceled. However, after a tense wait, they managed to secure the last two seats on a 15:30 flight, ensuring they didn’t miss the show by arriving with all their luggage in tow.
“It’s been a long day, but it was worth every moment. We would do it all over again,” expressed Michelle, highlighting her daughter’s deep admiration for the quartet. “Although I didn’t see much myself because she was on my shoulders the whole time,” she added with a laugh.
Blackpink’s global success extends beyond being one of the biggest K-pop bands; they are recognized as one of the world’s most prominent musical acts. Formed after a rigorous six-year training period, the group consists of Lisa (Lalisa Manobal) from Thailand, Rosé (Roseanne Chaeyoung Park) from New Zealand and Australia, Jennie Kim from South Korea, and Jisoo Kim from Gunpo, South Korea.
Since their debut single “Whistle” in 2016, Blackpink has amassed the largest following on YouTube and became the first K-pop girl band to sell over a million albums. Their latest album, “Born Pink,” debuted at number one on the UK charts, and collectively, the group boasts a staggering 356 million followers on Instagram.
While Blackpink may have seemed like a departure from the usual lineup of safe and established acts at UK music festivals, they proved to be a brilliant choice for the adventurous BST event. Currently on a world tour, their meticulously crafted show seamlessly blends captivating pop songs with choreography that could make even Strictly Come Dancing professionals break a sweat.
As they took to the stage, bathed in pink lights against a backdrop adorned with sharp black thorns, the group kicked off with their powerful anthems “Pink Venom” and “How You Like That.” Their music is characterized by a fusion of sweet melodies, pop hooks, sinister EDM riffs, and energetic rap breakdowns, often concluding with a military-style chant.
Blackpink maintained a frenetic pace throughout the first 20 minutes, captivating the audience with their performances on the catwalk and even incorporating Fosse-inspired chair choreography during “Pretty Savage.”
“London, what a refreshing breeze you have,” Rosé exclaimed during a brief pause, grateful for the chance to cool down after recent gigs in Australia.
The middle segment of the show allowed each member to showcase their solo material, providing glimpses into their individual personalities. Jisoo charmed the audience with the tender love song “Flower,” while Rosé, known for her songwriting skills, displayed her pop sensibility
