K-pop's BLACKPINK to release new song ahead of 9-month world tour

YG Entertainment

19/08/2022 04:35

By Joori Roh
    SEOUL, Aug 19 (Reuters) - South Korean K-pop girl group
BLACKPINK is set to reveal their new song "Pink Venom" later on
Friday, their first single in nearly two years, ahead of a
planned nine-month world tour.
    The teaser for the music video of the hip-hop track, the
lead single of the group's new album to be released next month,
has already attracted more than 130 million views on YouTube.
    The foursome - Jisoo, Jennie, Rose and Lisa - have become a
global phenomenon since their debut in South Korea in 2016 and
have collaborated with stars such as Lady Gaga, Cardi B and Dua
Lipa.
    Some of their songs such as "Kill This Love" have gathered
more than a billion YouTube hits, but group members have focused
more recently on solo releases.
    "Since it's our comeback after a long time ... we wanted to
express our identity. So we put together words 'Pink' and
'Venom', two contradictory words that will well remind you of
us," Jennie said at a media event.
    The band's management agency YG Entertainment  122870.KQ 
said the music video for the song, which features traditional
Korean instruments, is the most expensive it has ever produced.
    The new album, Born Pink, set for release on Sept. 16,
presold more than 1.5 million copies in a week, double the
number of the group's first album, YG said.
    "Rather than focusing on breaking records, we have really
prepared for the new song so our fans and audiences can love it
... (but) if we are able to break records, we would be really
thankful," Rose said.
    BLACKPINK will kick off their world tour in October and
visit at least 26 cities through to June, performing to some 1.5
million fans.

 (Reporting by Joori Roh; editing by Richard Pullin)
 ((joori.roh@thomsonreuters.com; +82 2 6936 1493;))