The Night Overshadowed by Ros? and Kang Dong-won Dating Rumors [Current & Culture]

Many people think that BTS has disbanded. However, the group’s full activities have only paused for members to fulfill their military service obligations, while their solo activities continue. A few years from now, once they are free from military duties, BTS will reunite and resume their activities.

BLACKPINK performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. [Photo by YG Entertainment] [Image source=Yonhap News]

While the king of K-pop was away, the queen’s reign began. BLACKPINK, who has already established an extensive kingdom rivaling BTS, now holds the largest territory. Recently, after Jisoo released her solo track “Flower,” all members have showcased their solo activities, and just a few days ago, they took over the stage at the United States’ biggest music festival, Coachella (officially known as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival). Fans of BLACKPINK might be familiar with the name “Coachella.” That’s right?they performed there in 2019 as well. Back then, it was on a sub-stage, but this time they stood as the main act. I’m writing this because the historic night seems overshadowed by the dating rumors that surfaced right after the performance involving Ros? and Kang Dong-won.

BLACKPINK’s music, a fusion of electronica and hip-hop, was arranged to fit a rock band setup. The original intensity of BLACKPINK is on a completely different level from other K-pop groups and even surpasses many heavy metal bands. Perhaps that’s why their style is a perfect match for the Coachella Festival. When the show started with “Pink Venom” followed by “Kill This Love,” it reminded me of the Metallica concerts I enjoyed as a child, headbanging until my neck hurt. When the members performed choreography mimicking rifle shooting, it felt as if bullets were flying and piercing my chest. Next came my favorite song, “How You Like That.” Although I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the overall arrangement, the sudden surge in the latter half was breathtaking. The massive venue in the desert area of Coachella Valley was filled with people who plunged into a frenzy, and watching from Seoul on TV, I opened my second beer can. Watching the stage for “Pretty Savage” immediately after, I began to feel confused. Wait a minute, was this really my favorite song?

Reviewing the entire performance would require more space, so I encourage you to watch it yourself. Coachella has uploaded the full video on YouTube. For those who miss the moment BTS conquered the pop market, don’t miss the coronation of the queen. Think I’m exaggerating? Who currently holds the number one spot for YouTube subscribers among global artists? BTS? Lady Gaga? Taylor Swift? Justin Bieber? The answer is BLACKPINK. They have surpassed 80 million subscribers?more than the population of South Korea?and are heading toward 100 million. BLACKPINK reigns as an object of admiration not only in music but also in dance and fashion, standing at the highest position at this moment. Similar to BTS, their popularity is hotter overseas than in the domestic market, which is both a source of pride and a bit of regret.

While semiconductors and automobiles still support South Korea’s exports, K-pop is the number one contributor to transforming the country’s image into a youthful and sophisticated one. I hope BLACKPINK’s empire, which doesn’t have to worry about military service, continues to expand, and I also wish BTS members a healthy completion of their military duties and a safe return. Ah, but by then, my favorite artist might have become BLACKPINK. Love changes, so what can be done about changing fandom? After enjoying the 80-minute Coachella performance, it seems my preferences have already shifted. I’ve switched from black to pink as I please.

Lee Jae-ik, Novelist

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.