BLACKPINK is gearing up for their highly anticipated comeback with their 3rd mini-album, 'DEADLINE'. YG Entertainment officially announced the release date as February 27th at 2 PM KST, marking the end of a 3-year and 5-month hiatus for the globally renowned K-pop group.
In preparation for the album launch, YG Entertainment unveiled striking black and white concept photos on January 30th at midnight KST. The images offer close-up shots of the four members, exuding a regal and sophisticated vibe. While the agency released the teaser images, fans have already started speculating on social media platforms like Reddit, expressing their excitement and analyzing the details in the photos. Some fans are trying to decipher which member is featured in each teaser, while others are focusing on details like Lisa's potentially light-colored hair.
The announcement of 'DEADLINE' follows the conclusion of BLACKPINK's seven-month-long world tour of the same name. The tour wrapped up with electrifying performances in Hong Kong from January 24th to 26th, where the group reunited with their Hong Kong fans for the first time in nearly three years. The Kai Tak Stadium, the city's largest concert venue, was transformed into a "BLACKPINK haven," with giant LED visuals displaying "BLACKPINK IN YOUR AREA".
During the Hong Kong concerts, BLACKPINK captivated the audience with high-energy performances of their hit songs, including "Kill This Love," "Pink Venom," "How You Like That," "Playing with Fire," and "Shut Down". Backed by a live band and YG's signature high-production visuals, each member showcased their individual talents during solo stages. The members expressed heartfelt gratitude to their fans, known as BLINKs, and reflected on their journey together. "This year marks our 10th anniversary," they shared, adding, "Every moment with BLINK has felt like a dream".
While many fans are excited about BLACKPINK's comeback, some netizens have expressed criticism regarding the group's unchanging aesthetics and predictable concepts. Some comments online have described the concepts as "careless" and lacking variation. The album will be available in multiple versions, including Mood Light, Gray, Silver, Black, and Pink.
