BLACKPINK has officially confirmed their highly anticipated comeback with their third mini-album, titled DEADLINE, set to be released on February 27, 2026, at 1 PM KST (12 AM EST). The announcement, made via the group's social media platforms on January 15, 2026, ends months of speculation since their last album, Born Pink, which was released in 2022.
YG Entertainment, BLACKPINK's label, released a striking 19-second teaser, a motion graphic featuring the group's signature colors, to announce the comeback. A beam of pink light flashed across the screen, accompanied by intensifying racing sounds, building anticipation for the release. The teaser revealed the words "BLACKPINK 3rd MINI ALBUM [DEADLINE] 2026. 02. 27. 12AM(EST) / 1PM(KST)".
The mini-album shares its name with BLACKPINK's ongoing world tour, which kicked off in July 2025 with the first-ever K-pop girl group concert at Goyang Stadium. The DEADLINE world tour is set to conclude on January 26, 2026, at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium. The new album is expected to capitalize on the momentum of the tour.
The road to DEADLINE's release has been marked by several postponements. Initial reports suggested a May 2025 comeback, which was later pushed to November 2025, then December 2025, and subsequently January 2026, before settling on the February 27 date. YG Entertainment has attributed these delays to ongoing efforts to improve the album's overall quality.
DEADLINE marks BLACKPINK's first mini-album release in over three years, following Born Pink, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making BLACKPINK the first K-pop girl group to achieve that feat since 2008. Born Pink featured hit singles like "Pink Venom" and "Shut Down". In July 2025, BLACKPINK released the digital single "Jump," which also topped the Billboard Global 200.
While details regarding the tracklist and concept of DEADLINE are still under wraps, the music video has reportedly been completed with a top international director. Member quotes from interviews hint that the album will incorporate influences from each member's solo work. Jisoo described the project as having a “fresh, funky vibe,” while Rosé called it “a whole new thing”.
The February 27 release positions DEADLINE to anchor BLACKPINK's 10th-anniversary celebrations, as the group debuted in August 2016. The timing also places BLACKPINK's comeback shortly after BTS's announced March 20, 2026, album release.
The announcement of DEADLINE has triggered excitement among fans, although some have expressed disappointment that it's a mini-album rather than a full-length album. YG Entertainment has not ruled out additional releases in 2026 as the group approaches their anniversary. A large-scale promotional cycle is expected for this comeback. Additional details, including the tracklist and concept photos, are expected in the coming weeks.
In the time since their last release, the BLACKPINK members have been active with solo projects. Lisa starred in the latest season of The White Lotus. Rosé had a hit song with her Bruno Mars collaboration, "APT". Jennie released her debut solo project Ruby in 2025 and has upcoming festival appearances. Jisoo released the EP Amortage in 2025 and starred in South Korean TV series and films.
