BLACKPINK's Lisa, Jennie and ENHYPEN heat up Coachella with K-pop firepower

BLACKPINK's Jennie performs during the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif., Sunday. AP-Yonhap

K-pop once again made a powerful mark on the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, with BLACKPINK members Lisa and Jennie delivering solo performances and boy group ENHYPEN making their festival debut.

Coachella is one of the largest and most influential music festivals in North America, drawing top-tier global acts across two weekends. This year’s headliners included Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone.

Lisa, who had previously performed at Coachella with BLACKPINK in 2019 and 2023, this time returned as a solo artist.

Jennie, center, performs during the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. AP-Yonhap

Lisa opened the Sahara Tent on the festival's first day with a futuristic visual concept and a dynamic stage set. She kicked off her performance with “Thunder” from her debut solo album “Rockstar,” delivering a 50-minute set divided into five acts.

Despite the limited time, she presented a concert-worthy showcase, blending K-pop with hip-hop, electronic, disco and R&B to highlight her versatility as a solo performer.

Lisa, who appeared in the latest season of the HBO series “The White Lotus,” drew laughs by referencing her character. “Fans of ‘The White Lotus’ might be surprised to see Mook on stage,” she said, “but this is what she looks like when she’s off duty.”

BLACKPINK’s Lisa performs as a solo artist at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., Friday. Captured from YouTube

Her performance was widely praised. The Los Angeles Times ran a review titled “Lisa rocked the Sahara Tent,” commending her powerful presence.

BLACKPINK bandmate Jennie took the stage with a performance rooted in her recent solo debut album “Ruby” on Sunday. After her recent concerts in Korea and the U.S., Jennie revamped her set for Coachella, condensing it into a tight 40-minute show with unique arrangements and visual elements distinct from her solo tour.

She delivered hits like “Filter,” “Mantra,” “Start a War,” and “Like Jennie” with heightened choreography and theatrical flair. During her performance of “Damn Right,” American pop artist Kali Uchis made a surprise appearance for a live collaboration.

Though Coachella’s YouTube stream used audio mixing that reduced crowd noise to emphasize live vocals, the relentless cheers from fans still came through, capturing the high-energy atmosphere. Jennie’s Prada-designed cowboy-themed outfit also drew attention.

K-pop boy group ENHYPEN performs at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., Saturday. EPA-Yonhap

Boy group ENHYPEN also took the stage, marking their Coachella debut. “Performing at Coachella was one of our dreams, and it’s such an honor to be here,” the group said.

The festival's second weekend is set for April 18 to 20 with the same lineup, meaning Lisa, Jennie and ENHYPEN will return for encore performances.

Fans of Jennie gather for her concert at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., Sunday. Reuters-Yonhap

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.