Global Media Rave: "BLACKPINK Are Back in Their Prime"

International outlets are giving high marks to BLACKPINK’s comeback.

On the 28th (local time), Rolling Stone spotlighted BLACKPINK’s third mini album, "DEADLINE", declaring, “BLACKPINK are back in their prime.” The magazine added, “The world has been waiting for the magic that happens when all four members are together, and this album makes us even more excited for what’s next.”

The outlet especially praised the album’s sonic range and evolution across all tracks. From the flashy EDM of “JUMP,” the dynamic title track “GO,” and the club-ready “Me and my,” to the ‘80s new wave-tinged “Champion” and the acoustic cut “Fxxxboy,” Rolling Stone lauded the group’s bold genre choices.

Rolling Stone also welcomed how "DEADLINE" captures BLACKPINK’s signature confidence and fearless charisma, noting, “Each member’s individuality shines while asserting their presence in the way BLACKPINK do best,” applauding their full-group synergy.

Billboard delivered an in-depth review of every track, underscoring the group’s musical achievements on this release. On “GO,” the outlet wrote, “The fierce rap, smooth vocals, and innovative beat drop stand out. It’s the album’s best track and a true representation of BLACKPINK,” adding that the hook “Blackpink’ll make ya” is poised to become a unifying chant.

Forbes highlighted "DEADLINE"’s performance and BLACKPINK’s commanding global power. Citing the highest first-day sales ever for a K-pop female artist (1.46 million), the outlet emphasized that BLACKPINK are “the only K-pop female artist with multiple albums that sold over one million copies in a single day.”

The numbers back up the praise. "DEADLINE" topped the iTunes Albums chart in a cumulative 38 regions, securing the No. 1 spot worldwide. On China’s largest music platform QQ Music, not only the title track “GO” but multiple B-sides also debuted in the top tier, effectively sweeping the chart.

Their impact on YouTube―where the official channel boasts 100 million subscribers―is equally dominant. The “GO” music video hit No. 1 on YouTube’s Worldwide Trending and ranked as the “Most Viewed Video in 24 Hours,” then vaulted to No. 1 on the platform’s global daily popular music videos. It currently holds the top spot on Trending Music and has surpassed 34 million views. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)