By Ryan Abbasi
It has been more than a year since the 2019 single “Kill This Love” came out, and BLINKS are all left wondering, “Where is their comeback?” While other K-Pop groups like BTS frequently release music and collaborate with Western artists, Blackpink is often neglected by their label, YG Music. So far in 2020, as of late April, the girl group has released a promotional jingle for the new Samsung Galaxy phone entitled “Awesome,” which had many fans joking that the 56-second tune would count as their 2020 comeback. Furthermore, when Lady Gaga confirmed a collaboration with Blackpink on April 22, 2020, for her new album, BLINKS lost hope for the girl group’s return, thinking that YG would not give the girls permission to be a feature on Gaga’s album and to release their own music in the same year. With rivaling labels such as Big Hit Entertainment, BTS’ label, and even their own label, YG Entertainment, releasing plans to create and debut new girl groups soon, Blackpink’s lack of presence in 2020 not only frustrates but also worries fans for the group’s demise. Comparing Blackpink to similar groups before it, such as YG Entertainment’s 2NE1, one can see a similar, almost uncanny, series of events: the group is established, the group appeals greatly to Western audiences, the group enjoys success and fame. However, after 2NE1’s period of success, came their breakup and disbanding. Could this be Blackpink’s fate? I hope not, but on May 3, 2020, with YG finally announcing a June comeback, Blinks immediately sent “#BLACKPINKISCOMING” to number two on Twitter’s global trending page. Little is known about the comeback, but Blinks and K-Pop fans everywhere are anxious and excited since much of the group’s future depends on this comeback.