Rising Rivalry Among BLACKPINK Members: Unprecedented Competition

Recently, BLACKPINK made headlines as three of its members launched their individual projects simultaneously, igniting an exhilarating competition among them. This marks a significant transition for the group, with the members increasingly embracing their unique identities and carving out their own spaces in the global music industry. Since late last year, the members have shifted their focus toward personal endeavors, stepping away from collaborative work.

A Fierce Competition among Lisa, Jennie, and Rosé

Leading the charge is the youngest member, Lisa. She established her label, LLOUD, and has successfully dropped three music tracks: Rockstar, New Woman, and Moonlit Floor, showcasing her versatility in different genres. By being the first to release a solo project and a trio of music videos, Lisa has garnered the most attention from the media since BLACKPINK concluded their contract with YG Entertainment.

Lisa’s impressive performances include her appearance at the Global Citizen Festival in New York City last month, along with her electrifying show at the 2024 MTV VMAs, where she secured the Best K-pop award for Rockstar. Most recently, she lit up the stage at the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, mesmerising the audience with her bold fashion choices and captivating stage presence.

Nonetheless, increased visibility has not always equated to acclaim for Lisa. Her recent public appearances have stirred considerable debate, which has somewhat affected her standing as a leading star. Many international media outlets criticized her for potential lip-syncing and less-than-stellar live performances, casting shadows on her burgeoning solo career.

Despite the controversies, Lisa released her latest single, Moonlit Floor, on October 4. Unlike her previous tracks, which conveyed strong feminist themes, this new song is a romantic nu-disco, dance-pop ballad thought to reflect her relationship with her French partner. As fans looked forward to its launch, Moonlit Floor faced stiff competition from her BLACKPINK counterparts. By October 22, it peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Global 200 chart, a step down from Rockstar, which reached 4th place, and New Woman at 15th.

On October 11, Jennie unveiled her solo track, Mantra. On launch day, it achieved a remarkable 5th position on Spotify’s Daily Top Song Global chart, breaking her previous records.

Furthermore, it dominated the real-time charts on Bugs, a prominent music platform in South Korea, and claimed the top spot on iTunes in 57 markets including the United States, Brazil, Singapore, the Philippines, and Mexico, as reported by Newsis. Jennie distinguished herself as the first female K-pop solo artist to lead the iTunes US Top Song chart this year, additionally climbing to 3rd place on the Melon chart.

The song’s underlying message has struck a chord with fans, as Jennie debuted Mantra on the International Day of the Girl to promote themes of confidence and independence. True to form, she also showcased her individuality when performing live on stage, radiating self-assurance.

Who Comes Out on Top?

Rosé followed Jennie’s lead by releasing her solo digital single, APT, just one week later, on October 18, with a collaboration featuring Bruno Mars. This track is a precursor to her debut full solo album, rosie, scheduled for release in December. Rosé was deeply involved in the songwriting and composition process of this song. Bruno Mars not only contributed his vocals but also appeared in the music video, drawing even more attention.

APT quickly climbed to the top of Melon’s TOP 100 chart on October 19, securing the number one position for three consecutive days. It further climbed to the forefront of several global music charts, including Spotify in the US by October 22.

News reports indicate that Rosé has experienced the most outstanding success among the trio of BLACKPINK members with recent solo releases. By noon on October 22, APT ranked 1st on Spotify’s Top Songs Global chart, with Mantra at 9th, and Moonlit Floor at 13th. Similarly, APT also led Melon’s chart, followed closely by Mantra at 3rd, while Moonlit Floor failed to break into the top 100. As it stands, APT is poised to climb to impressive heights on the Billboard Hot 100 soon.

In terms of viewership, APT amassed over 83 million views in its first four days, while Mantra garnered 52 million in 11 days, and Moonlit Floor reached 16.6 million in 13 days. The lower view count for Moonlit Floor can be attributed to it being a performance clip rather than an official music video.

Rosé communicated with her fans earlier this month about the effort she infused into her album, stating, “I poured blood, sweat, and tears into this album.” However, APT radiates energy and excitement, with its powerful, pop-rock vibe and a catchy chorus. The song draws inspiration from a popular drinking game in Korea called Apartment, and its catchy simplicity fits perfectly with today’s trend of short video format music, leading to its success even with minimal promotion efforts by Rosé.

In contrast, Jisoo remains the only member yet to release solo music this year, as she pivots towards focusing on her acting career rather than pursuing a path as a vocalist.