BLACKPINK still uncertain about its musical identity

BLACKPINK members pose during an interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday. From left are Lisa, Jennie, Jisoo and Rose. / Courtesy of YG Entertainment

By Kim Jae-heun

BLACKPINK released their latest mini-album “Square Two,” sweeping online music charts both local and abroad. However, the YG Entertainment girl group has still failed to establish its own identity and differentiate its music style from YG’s other girl group 2NE1.

During an interview with The Korea Times in Samcheong-dong, central Seoul, on Wednesday, the girl group struggled to answer questions on the difference between their music and 2NE1’s songs.

“Because we are in the same company, we have the same influence undoubtedly,” said Jennie. “2NE1 has been very successful in many ways and I don’t know if we can make it as far, but we will try to do it on our own.”

She also added that the group dances well, as all four members have been practicing for a long time.

“We dance to difference genres such as krumping, ballet and hip-hop, together with invited foreign choreographers who are well-known internationally,” said Jennie. “Many of them are genres that not many girl groups have performed to and you will tell the difference soon.”

The issue rose to the surface in their August debut when BLACKPINK released their first mini-album “Square One.”

The tracks were all produced and arranged by YG Entertainment’s main producer Teddy, who has written many hit songs for successful YG groups like 2NE1 and BigBang.

Yang Hyun-suk, the chief producer of YG, said at the girl group’s debut showcase event that he did not try to make BLACKPINK different from 2NE1 and it is natural that they pursue similar music styles under the same label.

However, people criticized that BLACKPINK’s songs sound like 2NE1’s music, just sung by YG’s new girls.

“We were not trained to sing in YG style and we only received training to sing well,” said Jisoo.

When 2NE1 debuted in 2009 with the digital single “Lollipop,” they were applauded for their unique style of music and well-prepared performances, which is hardly seen with rookie bands.

All members of BLACKPINK seemed nervous and they were careful in every word they spoke during the interview.

“After I debuted, I was frequently asked why I get nervous so much,” said Jennie. “Well, I am a shy person in the first place and I am sad for myself that I can’t talk well yet.”

BLACKPINK will go on the warpath Sunday, with a series of live appearances on TV shows lined up.

The new album consists of three tracks ― “Playing With Fire,” “Stay,” and an acoustic version of “Whistle.” The first track hits the tropical house genre with strong drumbeat and rhythmical piano mixed with a repetitive synthesizer sound. The verse in the latter part of the song gives the feeling of a fire burning, which is metaphorically compared to love.

“Stay” is a country pop song with a lyrical melody backed by guitar riffs and other stringed instruments.

“For now, we do not put much meaning in topping the charts,” said Jisoo. “In the long term, we want to become a band that everybody remembers.”