Since debuting in 2016, BLACKPINK has been busy not only making music, but collecting accolades. Besides climbing up the charts with their catchy tunes, the quartet of Lisa, Jennie, Rosé, and Jisoo has been raking in numerous firsts as an all-female K-pop group.
With their debut studio album not even out yet (it’s coming this fall!), see what BLACKPINK has already managed to accomplish in North America.
Nov. 26, 2016: First K-Pop Girl Group on Canadian Hot 100
Blackpink’s “Playing With Fire” opened at No. 92 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart dated Nov. 26. The feat made them the first K-pop girl group to chart on the Canadian Hot 100.
June 30, 2018: 3 Billboard Charts Records
BLACKPINK managed several firsts on three Billboard charts dated June 30:
Hot 100: “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” debuted at No. 55, making it the highest charting hit ever by a K-pop girl group on the chart.
Billboard 200: Sophomore EP Square Up debuted at No. 40 to become the highest charting album by an all-female K-pop group at the time.
Emerging Artists: They debuted at No. 1 on the chart, becoming the first female K-pop group to do so.
July 5, 2018: Most Viewed Korean Music Video on YouTube
The video for “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” snagged 36.2 million views in its first 24 hours to become the most viewed Korean music video of 2018 at that point, a rep for the video platform told Billboard at the time. The service also said that the video was the fastest one by a K-pop girl group to earn 100 million views, accomplishing the feat in only 10 days.
Jan. 21, 2019: Most Viewed Video by a K-Pop Group
“Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” snagged the YouTube record when the video pulled in a huge number of eyeballs. “With 620.9 million views, BLACKPINK’s ‘Ddu-Du Ddu-Du’ is now the most viewed music video by a K-pop group,” a spokesperson for YouTube told Billboard at the time.
March 2, 2019: First Female K-Pop Artists on a Billboard Cover
The March 2 issue was the first time a female K-pop group appeared on the cover of Billboard magazine. The issue featured five different covers: one with the women together, and an individual cover each for Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo and Rosé.
March 21, 2019: First K-Pop Group to Reach 20 Million YouTube Subscribers
The girl group amassed 20 million subscribers on their official YouTube channel, making them the first female K-pop group to manage the feat.
April 8, 2019: Biggest Music Video Debut on YouTube
The music video for “Kill This Love” was the biggest music video debut in YouTube’s history at the time, the video streaming platform confirmed to Billboard. The video, which dropped April 5, pulled in 56.7 million views in its first 24 hours, and also earned 100 million views in less than three days. The video also had an astounding 979,000 peak concurrents, which set a record at the time.
April 12, 2019: First K-Pop Girl Group to Perform at Coachella
Jennie, Rosé, Lisa and Jisoo not only became the first K-pop girl group to play the annual music festival, but they were also one of the main acts on opening day. (You can watch the history-making performance here.)
April 20, 2019: 2 More Billboard Charts Records Set
Hot 100: The group’s “Kill This Love” debuted at No. 41 on the chart dated April 20. That feat made BLACKPINK’s tune the highest charting Hot 100 song by a K-pop girl group. The previous record was held by none other than themselves, when “Ddu-Ddu Ddu-Du” debuted and peaked at No. 55 in June 2018.
Billboard 200: Their Kill This Love EP debuted at No. 24 also on April 20, making it the highest-charting title by an all-female K-pop group.
Aug. 15, 2019: First K-Pop Girl Group Recognized by RIAA
Give it up for the gold! When BLACKPINK’s “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, the quartet became the first female K-pop group to be certified by the RIAA.
Nov. 11, 2019: First K-Pop Group Video With 1 Billion YouTube Views
Blinks can’t get enough of the girl group! BLACKPINK became the first K-pop group to have a music video reach the 1 billion views mark on YouTube. “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du,” which was released on June 15, 2018, reached the milestone in a little more than a year. Fellow Korean artist Psy was the first act to hit that mark with his viral hit “Gangnam Style” in 2012.
June 29, 2020: Biggest Music Video Premiere on YouTube — Again
If there was any question that “How You Like That” would be a massive hit, the video smashed all doubts when it premiered June 26 with 1.66 million peak concurrents on YouTube. It was also the biggest 24-hour music video debut ever, pulling in an astounding 86.4 million views, beating the record they set the year before with “Kill This Love.”
June 30, 2020: 3 Guinness World Records
The girl group snagged three entries in the Guinness World Records thanks to the video for their single “How You Like That.” With more than 86 million views in just the first day of release, the video earned Guinness’ most viewed YouTube video in 24 hours, most viewed music video on YouTube in 24 hours, and most viewed YouTube music video in 24 Hours by a K-pop group. All three records were previously held by fellow K-pop group BTS.
July 8, 2020: A View From YouTube’s Top
BLACKPINK in early July became the sixth act to surpass 40 million subscribers, making them one of the musical acts with the most followers. They trail only Justin Bieber (55.6 million), Marshmello (47.2 million), Ed Sheeran (45.1 million), and Eminem (43.6 million). When they first joined the elite list, BLACKPINK was behind Ariana Grande, who had 42.3 million subscribers at the time. But by the end of the month, the quartet had earned more subscribers than the “7 Rings” singer, coming in with 42.7 million followers.
July 11, 2020: Highest Charting Single by a Girl Group on Digital Song Sales
BLACKPINK’s “How You Like That” debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart dated July 11. The feat tied them with The Pussycat Dolls and The Chicks for highest charting single by an all-female group on this particular list.
Sept. 10, 2021: Most Subscribed Artist on YouTube
Move over, Justin Bieber! BLACKPINK became the artist with the most subscribers on YouTube when the K-pop quartet officially surpassed 65.5 million followers. “Our BLINKS contributed a lot to this achievement. Therefore we hope they also enjoy this honor,” BLACKPINK said in a statement. “We will continue to bring positivity and great energy through our music and videos.”
