"Jump! One, two, three!"
On July 5th and 6th, fans packed the Goyang Stadium, jumping earnestly at BLACKPINK's command. After nearly two years, BLACKPINK returned as a 'complete' group. Each member, having grown as solo artists, united to dominate the stage once again.
After a long wait, the members reunited, and fans could finally shout "BLACKPINK in your Area" once more.
◆ About 80,000 Spectators Gathered; an 'Overwhelming Start' from Scale to Stage
BLACKPINK's 2025 World Tour 'DEADLINE' marked the first time a K-pop girl group held a solo concert at Goyang Stadium. Over the two days, approximately 78,000 spectators gathered, kicking off a massive stadium tour.
The opening was 'Kill This Love'. The moment was made unforgettable with massive fireworks, LED displays, and overwhelming sound. The nearly two-year hiatus seemed irrelevant. Hits like 'Pink Venom', 'How You Like That', 'Shut Down', and more followed in quick succession. Fans went wild, waving their pink light sticks.
◆ Solo Stages by Each Member, a Show Within a Show
The middle of the concert was filled with solo performances by each member. JISOO showcased her mystical sensibility with 'earthquake' and 'Your Love', while LISA displayed her powerful energy within BLACKPINK through 'New Woman' and 'Rockstar'.
JENNIE brought her branded universe to the stage with original songs like 'Mantra' and 'like JENNIE', and ROSÉ delivered both emotion and catharsis with '3AM' and 'APT.', the latter turning the entire audience into a sing-along spectacle.
JENNIE shared, "Alternating between group and solo performances made me realize anew how much variety we can bring both as individuals and as a team."
◆ 'JUMP', the Hot Debut; ROSÉ's Sincerity Also Delivered
The newly revealed song 'JUMP' received the hottest response. With its fast-paced EDM beat and addictive hook, it was literally optimized for 'jumping around'.
The concept video for 'JUMP', shown midway through the concert, was reminiscent of a road movie. It depicted the four members driving through the American desert, facing a car breakdown but never losing their spirit, symbolizing their journey to find a new path. The audience celebrated BLACKPINK's comeback with cheers.
The concert concluded with BLACKPINK's signature songs like 'DDU-DU DDU-DU', 'As If It's Your Last', 'Forever Young'. The members running around the stage, playing pranks, and singing arm in arm showcased their unchanging friendship behind the 'global star' title.
◆ Perfect Stage, Imperfect Organization
However, aspects outside the stage did not live up to the 'world-class' name. Despite the geographical uniqueness of Goyang, the area around the venue experienced severe parking shortages and pedestrian control issues right before the concert. Additionally, without prior notice, pathways were unilaterally closed for concert drone filming, allowing only one-way traffic, which led to complaints from some citizens.
Although shuttle buses were operated, they were overwhelmingly insufficient compared to the demand. Particularly, the lack of prior notice about restricted view seats led to complaints from some attendees. These seats, farthest from the main stage and directly in front of a large screen, were so obstructed they were jokingly referred to as 'no view' rather than 'restricted view' seats.
This highlighted the need for infrastructure and operational systems befitting a large-scale concert.
BLACKPINK kicks off their tour with this performance, heading to major cities in the US, Europe, and Asia for a total of 31 shows across 16 cities. JENNIE expressed, "Starting our first stadium tour in Korea means a lot to us," and LISA added, "This is just the beginning. Let's enjoy more together."
Photos=YG Entertainment
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)