Sunday night was insane.
The stage went black for a split second, the kind of silence that makes your heart skip because you know something’s coming. Then, boom — the stage floor split open in sharp lines, and in a burst of smoke and light, they rose.
BLACKPINK came shooting up from beneath the stage like they were being summoned from the underworld — each on her own glowing platform, bathed in flames and strobes, hair caught in an upward gust like a superhero reveal. One second, they owned the stage, and the next second, the world.
BLACKPINK, comprised of Jennie, Lisa, Rose, and Jisoo, are more than K-pop idols at this point. They’re fashion legends, global icons, and low-key feminist role models (even if they don’t exactly say it out loud). They are the moment, and we’re here for it. Each one of them brings something different: Lisa’s power, Rosé’s vulnerability, Jennie’s confidence, and Jisoo’s lyricism.
The rise of “girl crush” — and why BLACKPINK owns it
K-pop’s girl groups used to lean super hard into the “cute and innocent” vibe — think baby-pink skirts, shy smiles, and songs about secret crushes. It was sweet, sure, but also kind of limiting.
Then along came the “girl crush” concept—edgy, bold, and actually empowering. It wasn’t about being perfect for someone else. It was about being unapologetically yourself. In social science circles, “girl crush” has been described as anything that conveys ferocity and steps out of the expectation of hyperfemininity. Groups like 2NE1 and 4Minute helped pave the way, but BLACKPINK took that vibe and made it global.
With sharp moves, killer style, and lyrics like “I’m a shining solo,” they made it clear: you don’t have to shrink to be beautiful. You don’t have to be quiet to be respected. Another example is their “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” music video, which utilized the girl crush language, combining their dark and fierce (black) side with their light and lovable (pink) side. Through this popular song, BLACKPINK hid a powerful statement about “owning it” and being yourself.
BLACKPINK: Lisa, Rosé, Jisoo, and Jennie at SoFi Stadium on Sunday night.
This shift matters. Especially if you’re a teenage girl just trying to figure yourself out. BLACKPINK permitted us to be loud, bold, stylish, emotional, powerful—all of it.
Beyond the music and off the stage
It’s not just about their songs or their fashion. What really hits is how BLACKPINK lives what they sing. They’ve talked openly about burnout, mental health, chasing your dreams, and not losing yourself in the process.
And the way they’ve built their solo careers? So inspiring. They’ve proven you can be part of something huge and still have your own voice. That kind of independence is rare, especially in a world that tries to box women in.
- Jennie: She told the world that you can thrive on your own. With lyrics like “I am going solo, lo-lo-lo.” She turned heartbreak into a declaration of independence. She also became a global ambassador for Chanel, mixing high fashion with street-style grit, proving that being soft and strong isn’t a contradiction.
- Lisa: As the group’s only Thai member, she leaned fully into her roots, believing that owning where you come from is part of your power. Her swagger isn’t for show — it’s a statement. saying, “this is who I am; deal with it.”
- Rose: “On The Ground” gave us something more introspective. It’s about chasing dreams and realizing the most important things were never far away. Her voice and her vulnerability hit you in the heart. She is not afraid to show emotion, and that in itself is radical in a world that often punishes women for being “too much.”
- Jisoo: She surprised everyone with “FLOWER,” an ethereal, emotional track paired with bold, theatrical visuals. Her strength is quiet but no less powerful. In a society that often overlooks the calm ones, Jisoo shines with poise and emotional depth, showing that you don’t have to scream to be heard.
Their fandom isn’t just fans shouting at concerts (although, yeah, we do too). It’s a whole community. A place where girls hype each other up, get creative, and feel seen. It’s friendship. It’s empowerment. It’s love. So, Sunday night wasn’t just about BLACKPINK rising from the depths of the stage. It was about us; it was about the girls in the crowd, screaming lyrics like battle cries. Because the truth is, you don’t need a stage to feel powerful. You are always meant to rise; no need to blend in.
