The K-pop group, BLACKPINK took to the stage at the VMAs this year to perform their Born Pink hit ‘Pink Venom,’ which also served as the group’s live debut of the song and their first time performing at an American awards show. Although the girl trio, which consists of Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé, dominated the performance, they acknowledged during their stop at Prudential on the Born Pink tour that they were anxious to return. It was difficult to believe given their performance.
Blinks knew exactly which song the foursome was opening with as soon as the group’s recognizable ‘BLACKPINK in your area’ tag and establishing horns blared through speakers, and they buzzed with excitement. The performance began with BLACKPINK’s famous song, ‘How You Like That,’ during which the group flawlessly executed the catchy choreography with the assistance of female backing dancers. BLACKPINK made their official entrance with the opening song, which was followed by enormous stage fireworks (all in pink, of course) and streamers that appeared to be saying “we’re here.”
Jisoo took the stage first and gave a solo rendition of Camila Cabello’s 2019 song ‘Liar,’ which was a perfect fit for her distinctive vocal tone. She also strutted down the runway stage and displayed sultry dance routines with the assistance of the group’s background dancers.
Jennie, who frequently performed her solo debut track ‘Solo’ in previous BLACKPINK concerts, opted against the obvious choice this time and instead gave fans a taste of a potential new solo track (fans are calling it ‘You & Me,’ though it has not yet received an official name). She performed equally intricate and elegant dance moves with a male dancer, highlighting her magnetic energy. Rosé, meanwhile, had more than enough solo material to choose from but chose ‘Born Pink’ solo cut ‘Hard to Love’ and R single ‘On the Ground’.
The encore was one of the nicest moments of the performance. The girls returned looking cosy in sweatshirts, hoodies and tees from their merch line after a nearly 10-minute wait, during which fans from all over the area led “when I say black, you say pink” and “boombayah” chants to enliven the crowd. The girls then stripped back their larger-than-life stage personas to goof around and make unchoreographed dances and cute faces with each other while singing “Yeah Yeah Yeah”.
BLACKPINK’s Born Pink tour demonstrates that, despite being a top-performing international group, Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé continue to exude charm that has won them such a devoted following.
Sikha Sohan.