Blackpink’s 10th Anniversary: A Milestone Marked by Apologies and Deep Affection
SEOUL – Blackpink recently celebrated their monumental 10th anniversary on August 8, a decade since their groundbreaking debut. While the occasion saw all four members – Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa – reunite to meet their beloved Blinks and host a live online session, the festivities were unfortunately overshadowed by repeated apologies regarding the handling of the event.
YG’s Last-Minute Planning Draws Fan Frustration
The celebratory mood was significantly dampened by YG Entertainment’s controversial event planning. The agency announced the in-person gathering just two days prior, on August 6, with vague details about a “somewhere in Seoul” location. It was also specified that only 40 paying Weverse members “available by schedule” would attend. The application window was a mere nine hours, leaving many fans feeling frustrated and excluded, with a clear impression that the event was hastily put together.
Despite the initial communication issues, all four members ultimately attended the “Meet & Greet” fan event on August 8 at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. However, the limit of 40 lottery-selected fans was widely seen as far too small for such a significant milestone, sparking widespread disappointment among the global fanbase.
Jisoo’s Heartfelt Apologies Resonate with Blinks
Understanding the deep disappointment among Blinks, Blackpink’s Jisoo directly addressed their feelings with profound sincerity. On the group’s fan community, she wrote, “This anniversary feels like a day full of regret. Knowing how many Blinks are upset weighs heavily on me. I haven’t forgotten that it’s Blink who made Blackpink shine like this. I’m sorry again for the disappointment I’ve caused, and I’m always grateful and love you.”
Before the in-person event, all four members appeared together on a Weverse livestream, where Jisoo acknowledged the criticism even more directly. She stated, “I originally wanted to see so many of you, and I knew this was an important day – our 10th anniversary. I think there was a problem in communication. I wanted this to be a happy occasion, but I’m sorry to the Blinks who feel let down. I hope you know that I love you.”
The sincerity of Jisoo’s apologies resonated deeply. Footage circulated online showed her getting into a car, taking handwritten letters from Blinks one by one, visibly welling up and wiping away tears as she read their heartfelt messages. It was a poignant moment that underscored the genuine connection between the idols and their fanbase, turning a difficult situation into a testament of their bond.
The other members also shared their appreciation. Jennie posted a heartwarming photo of all four together on social media, expressing gratitude for fan support. Rosé reflected on their incredible journey, thanking Blinks for staying with them “from my debut at 19 to today, at 29.” Lisa echoed this sentiment, writing, “Thank you truly, and I love you, for always being with us through these 10 long years.”
Celebrating a Decade of Global Impact and Future Ventures
Amidst the emotional apologies and heartfelt messages, Blackpink also unveiled a special way to commemorate their decade-long journey: the Blackpink Heritage Collection. This exclusive seven-item merchandise line was developed in collaboration with MU:DS, the official goods brand of the National Museum of Korea. This unique partnership builds upon their earlier groundbreaking collaboration with the museum in February, which coincided with the release of their Deadline EP, marking it as the first large-scale museum collaboration by a K-pop act.
Blackpink officially debuted on August 8, 2016, captivating the world with their iconic tracks “Whistle” and “Boombayah.” In the decade since, they have ascended to global superstardom, topping both the US Billboard charts and the UK Official Charts, solidifying their immense footprint across the international music market. In 2023, the members famously signed an exclusive group contract with YG Entertainment, skillfully balancing their demanding group activities with individual projects managed through their own respective labels. The group’s journey also included the release of their third mini album, Deadline, and a successful world tour in support of it in 2025, further cementing their legacy. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
