Get ready for some serious girl power. The reigning queens of K-pop girl groups, Blackpink, debuted in 2016, and in four short years have made quite a splash worldwide with their explosive, energetic, empowering music, hip-hop infused tracks, breakup anthems, and impressive dance routines.
Those who consider themselves "BLINKs"—the affectionate name for the Blackpink fandom—already know everything about the four members: Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa. But even those who aren't attuned to the wave-making, chart-breaking music coming out of South Korea might have heard of Blackpink through their 2019 Coachella performance, their hit feature with Dua Lipa ("Kiss and Make Up"), their collaboration with Lady Gaga ("Sour Candy"), or their 2020 summer single with pop star Selena Gomez ("Ice Cream")
Signed with the South Korean mega K-pop label, YG Entertainment, the group's name has significance. "The meaning of Blackpink aims to contradict the common perception of the color pink," said a YG representative, as reported on AllKpop.com. "Pink is commonly used to portray prettiness, but Blackpink actually means to say that 'pretty isn't everything.'"
In honor of Blackpink's highly anticipated upcoming comeback album, expected to drop on October 2, here is a subjective list of their top songs that are worthy enough to add to your summer playlist.
Ice Cream (2020)
Depicting a sweet fantasy world filled with pretty pastel treats, Blackpink's newest summer 2020 single "Ice Cream" marks the K-pop group's first collaboration with Selena Gomez. Featuring flirty lyrics like "come a little closer 'cause you lookin' thirsty," the music video for the upbeat pop song has over 65 million YouTube views within the first 24 hours of its release.
How You Like That (2020)
The wardrobe, makeup and hair looks are on fire in the music video for Blackpink's newest 2020 single "How You like That." Showcasing the swagger and empowerment one feels after kissing "rock bottom" goodbye, the high-energy banger is the girl group's answer to a world brought down by the coronavirus pandemic. The June 2020 release from Blackpink has already racked up 323 million views, breaking the record for the most viewed Youtube music video in 24 hours. How you like that?
Sour Candy (2020)
A collaboration between Lady Gaga and Blackpink was destined to be iconic, and this sweet, sultry, and mysterious electro-pop dance track delivered. "Sour Candy" and it's video-game inspired music video—best listened to in the evenings, with the lights down low—capture that exciting and weird energy when you first start flirting with someone new, hoping they'll accept you as you are.
Don't Know What to Do (2019)
"Don't Know What to Do" doesn't have a music video, but that gives you a chance to watch Blackpink practice their incredible choreographed dance moves. The dreamy pre-chorus vocals in this breakup song allow you to reflect, but when the beat kicks in, you'll find yourself doing body rolls and shaking off the sadness.
Kill This Love (2019)
DDU-DU DDU-DU (2018)
Featuring the signature black and pink colors of the group, the music video for the hit song "DDU-DU DDU-DU" has over 1.2 billion views on Youtube, making Blackpink the first K-pop group to reach the billion view milestone. Released as the lead single for the group's 2018 EP Square Up, it's popularity helped Blackpink become the first K-pop girl group to have music certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
So Hot (THEBLACKLABEL Remix) (2018)
Those who have been following the K-pop industry for a while will know the original song by the Wonder Girls that's remixed and included in the group's Blackpink Arena Tour 2018 album. The group added their own flair with their signature hip-hop infused sweet swagger, including verses like: "We the only gang to run the game in high-heels." The four women deserve to brag a little, and they do it fabulously well in this cover.
Kiss and Make Up (2018)
"Kiss and Make Up" marks the girl group's first collaboration on the international stage. Dua Lipa and Blackpink's English and Korean vocals work together so seamlessly well, and their synergy makes a strong case that language barriers should not be an impediment to enjoying pop music.
As If It's Your Last (2017)
Joyful, upbeat and leaning closer to the group's "pink" concept (rather than "black"), "As If It's Your Last" will encourage you to send flirty texts, open your heart to love, and generally live your life to the fullest. Blackpink originally released the recording in June 2017, but the song remains an evergreen summer bop.
Playing With Fire (2016)
Released as part of Blackpink's single album Square Two, which followed their debut single album Square One, "Playing With Fire" landed in the No.1 position on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart. Watch the music video for the fiery dance moves but stay for the sultry lyrics that encapsulate the feeling of a love so hot it's on fire.
Boombayah (2016)
Blackpink's debut song remains a fan-favorite for how well it showcases the group's many talents. As one Youtube commenter wrote: "This song is wine. The older it gets, the better it sound[s]."
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Monica Chon is the former editorial fellow at Oprah Daily, previously OprahMag.com.
