Blackpink’s 10th anniversary overshadowed by fan backlash, apologies
Blackpink marked 10 years since its debut on Saturday, reuniting to meet fans and go live online — but the celebration also came with repeated apologies over how the anniversary was handled.
YG Entertainment first announced the event Thursday — just two days before the anniversary — saying it would hold an in-person gathering “somewhere in Seoul” for 40 paying Weverse members.
The announcement did not confirm which members would attend, adding the caveat that only those “available by schedule” would take part, and the application window stayed open for just nine hours. The compressed timeline and vague details left many with the impression the event had been thrown together at the last minute.
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All four members ultimately attended the “Meet & Greet” fan event held that afternoon at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
Only 40 fans, selected through a lottery, were able to attend in person — a number many felt was too small given the significance of a 10th anniversary, drawing some disappointment from the broader fandom.
Jisoo addressed that disappointment directly in a post to the group’s fan community.
“This anniversary feels like a day full of regret,” she wrote. “Knowing how many Blinks are upset weighs heavily on me.
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“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 fan event, all four members had also appeared together on a Weverse livestream.
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There, Jisoo acknowledged the criticism more directly, saying, “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,” she added. “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.”
In footage later circulated online, Jisoo was seen getting into a car and taking handwritten letters from fans one by one, appearing to well up and wipe away tears as she read them.
Jennie shared a photo of all four members together on social media, thanking fans for their support. Rose reflected on the group’s journey, thanking fans for staying with them “from my debut at 19 to today, at 29.”
Lisa echoed the sentiment, writing, “Thank you truly, and I love you, for always being with us through these 10 long years.”
To celebrate 10th anniversary, Blackpink also unveiled the “Blackpink Heritage Collection,” a seven-item merchandise line developed with MU:DS, the National Museum of Korea’s official goods brand.
The collaboration builds on a partnership the group first struck with the museum in February, around the release of their “Deadline” EP — billed at the time as the first large-scale museum collaboration by a K-pop act.
Blackpink debuted on Aug. 8, 2016, with the tracks “Whistle” and “Boombayah.” In the decade since, the group has topped both the US Billboard charts and the UK Official Charts, expanding its footprint across the global music market.
In 2023, the members signed an exclusive group contract with YG Entertainment while continuing individual projects through their own respective labels, balancing solo ventures with group activities. Last year, Blackpink released its third mini album, “Deadline,” and completed a world tour in support of it.