BLACKPINK ‘JUMPS’ Again! Why They’re Still ‘Forever Young’ in Their 9th Year

[스포츠조선=정빛 기자] “BLACKPINK in your area!”
Those words alone shook the Goyang Sports Complex. And the lyrics that followed made it clear: “It’s not a comeback / We never left.” The four members, who had each been lighting up the world on their own, stood once again together on stage as BLACKPINK.

On July 5 and 6, BLACKPINK held their “BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR DEADLINE IN GOYANG” at Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium, drawing 78,000 fans over two days.

The concert drew even more attention because it marked the group’s return as a complete unit. Since November 2023, the members had been focusing on solo careers under different agencies, but nearly 1 year and 10 months later, they reunited with their original agency YG Entertainment to hold a full-group solo concert.

Even before the show began, fan excitement was already at a fever pitch. Despite the heatwave and the onslaught of lovebugs, BLINKs (the fandom name) from around the world gathered in black and pink outfits to fill the stadium, instantly transforming the scene into a festival.

The moment the intro of their first song “Kill This Love” rang out, the stadium became BLACKPINK’s territory. “BLACKPINK in your area” was no longer just a catchphrase, it was reality. The momentum continued seamlessly into “Pink Venom,” “How You Like That,” “Playing With Fire,” and “Shut Down,” condensing nine years of BLACKPINK history into a powerful opening. Within minutes, the heat of the crowd surpassed the sweltering summer temperatures.

Highlights included “Pretty Savage,” where the members were staged like works of art in a frame; “Don’t Know What To Do,” which harmonized perfectly with the crowd’s fan chant; “Whistle,” evoking their debut days; and “Stay,” showcasing their vocal prowess. Every element of the stage, from performance to set, props, and lighting, radiated BLACKPINK’s sincerity toward their fans.

But the undisputed climax of the night was the solo stages. Each member, having firmly established herself as a solo artist, gave a masterclass in what it means to shine both alone and together.

JISOO captivated with “earthquake” and “Your Love,” LISA brought fiery charisma with “New Woman” and “ROCKSTAR,” JENNIE stunned with “MANTRA” and “LIKE JENNIE,” while ROSÉ proved her global status with “3AM,” “Toxic Till The End,” and “APT.”
When “LIKE JENNIE” and “Apartment” played, the entire audience sang along in unison, confirming their status as world-class mega hits.

ROSÉ gave a heartfelt explanation before her solo performance, “When we were working on this song last year, I had a tough two weeks. I remember flying back late in the evening. I’m a perfectionist, so I pushed for one more session even on that day. I wasn’t feeling well, maybe had a cold, and felt a bit lost. I really needed a place that felt like home. The chorus goes, ‘I wish you could be my home.’ I hope this song brings you comfort too.”

After all the solo stages, JISOO reflected, “We’ve shown you each of our solo performances in order, how was it? Amazing, right? Preparing both group and solo stages made the tour feel so much more diverse, and it gave us butterflies.”

That energy naturally flowed into their new track “JUMP,” unveiled for the first time in 2 years and 8 months. Earlier in the show, JISOO teased, “Later, we’re going to perform a new song that’s perfect for jumping around, so be ready!” And when the performance began, the audience responded just as the title suggested, by jumping to their feet.

Afterwards, JISOO asked, “How was it? Addictive, right? It’s not released yet, but we wanted to show it to you first. Please show it lots of love when it drops. Promise?”

Following their new song, the return of BLACKPINK’s greatest hits reminded everyone that their legacy is still in motion. When “BOOMBAYAH” and “DDU-DU DDU-DU” started, the cheers and crowd singalongs reached new heights, and the stadium turned into a sea of lightsticks, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

The stage production itself was truly global in scale. A top-tier team, who’ve worked with artists like Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, led the show. Global dancers and a live band added richness, while orchestral arrangements and band-backed vocals using handheld mics brought the performance to life.

Equally impressive was BLACKPINK’s commitment to sustainability. Instead of plastic bottles, fans were given “BLACKPINK Water” in paper cartons. Booths were set up to measure carbon emissions from travel and lodging and to raise awareness about resource recycling. Their sense of environmental responsibility was also world-class.

The open-air summer setting was a perfect match for BLACKPINK. This was the first time a K-pop girl group held a solo concert at Goyang Sports Complex. Filling the venue with 78,000 fans over two days, BLACKPINK maximized the outdoor vibe with flame towers, fireworks, and dazzling pyrotechnics, creating a global festival mood like Coachella.

Even the audience atmosphere felt like a world-class festival. Some fans wore the exact outfits from BLACKPINK’s performances or styled themselves in black and pink. The members noticed.
JISOO laughed, “Someone’s even wearing our ‘Shut Down’ outfit, how did you manage that in this heat? Amazing!”

As the show neared its end, the members expressed heartfelt gratitude to their fans once again.
LISA shared, “I’ve been so nervous since yesterday… and I still am. But seeing you all having fun with us makes me so happy. This is the first stop of our group tour in Korea.”
JENNIE added, “Thank you so much to everyone who came to Goyang to kick off our tour. It’s amazing to see the venue packed, even the upper levels. I feel a bit sad now that we’re heading off on our world tour, but I hope the day comes soon when we can see our fans again.”

They wrapped up with “As If It’s Your Last” and “Forever Young,” reaffirming what BLACKPINK has always embodied: performances that burn as if they’re the last, and a presence that remains forever young.

With this concert, BLACKPINK officially kicked off their “DEADLINE” world tour. But for BLACKPINK, the word “DEADLINE” doesn’t exist. Fans across 16 cities around the world, including Los Angeles, Paris, Milan, London, Tokyo, and Singapore, are already waiting for them.

2025. 7. 7.