BLACKPINK finally unveiled plans to celebrate its 10th debut anniversary, but instead of excitement, the announcement has fueled frustration among fans over what many see as limited access and restrictive eligibility rules.
On Thursday, the K-pop group’s agency shared a notice through fan platform Weverse announcing a special event to thank fans for supporting BLACKPINK over the past decade. The event is scheduled for Saturday, the group’s official debut anniversary.
However, the announcement revealed few details. The exact time and venue were not disclosed publicly, with organizers saying the location would only be shared with selected attendees. Only 40 fans will be invited.
A Milestone Met with Misery: The Limited 10th-Anniversary Event
BLACKPINK / Courtesy of YG Entertainment
The limited scale of the event quickly drew criticism online. Fans questioned why such a milestone celebration, marking a decade of global impact, would be restricted to just 40 participants. The decision to accept applications exclusively through Weverse also sparked debate, given that the members have had notably little activity on the platform over the past year.
Another major point of contention involved eligibility for this exclusive event. Only fans who had purchased a Weverse membership by July 31 were able to apply. Many fans expressed their dismay, stating they had chosen not to renew their memberships precisely because BLACKPINK had not held a Weverse Live broadcast since 2024 and had rarely posted on the platform in the preceding year. Some also highlighted that membership enrollment had remained open throughout ticket presales for the group’s world tour, arguing that a consistent policy should have applied to this significant anniversary event.
Weverse Woes and Attendance Concerns
BLACKPINK / Courtsey of Vogue Korea
The announcement further stated that the attendance of the BLACKPINK members would depend on their respective schedules, prompting additional disappointment. Fans voiced concerns that the possibility of absent members undermines the significance of a 10th-anniversary celebration, a once-in-a-decade moment, and raises questions about the group’s scheduling priorities for such a monumental occasion.
Debuting in 2016, BLACKPINK rose to global fame with hits including “Whistle,” “Boombayah,” “Playing with Fire,” “As If It’s Your Last” and “Shut Down.” Beyond their immense success as a group, all four members have established thriving solo careers and made significant appearances on major international charts, including Billboard. Although all BLACKPINK members renewed their group contract with YG Entertainment in 2023, fans contend that opportunities to see the members together outside of album promotions and world tours have become increasingly rare.
A History of Missed Connections: Past Anniversaries and Fan Engagement
For the group’s eighth anniversary in 2024, BLACKPINK held a livestream and a red carpet event ahead of the release of the concert film “BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR ‘BORN PINK’ IN CINEMAS.” Those remain among the few full-group anniversary activities in recent years. Notably, no major anniversary event was held for the group’s ninth debut anniversary last year.
Fans have also pointed out that BLACKPINK has not hosted a fan meeting since its inaugural one in 2019. This stands in stark contrast to fellow veteran K-pop girl groups such as TWICE and Red Velvet, which have continued to organize fan meetings on a regular basis, offering more frequent and intimate interactions with their dedicated fanbases. With expectations running incredibly high for the group’s 10th anniversary, many fans said the last-minute announcement — released just two days before the milestone — only deepened their disappointment and sense of disconnect.
Attention is now turning to whether BLACKPINK or YG Entertainment will unveil additional content on Saturday that can truly celebrate this monumental anniversary with the group’s expansive global fanbase, extending beyond the mere 40 invited attendees.
