Blackpink member Rosé has come under fan-fire in regards to her whereabouts leading up to the girl group's Deadline World Tour. The controversy comes in the same week that Rosé's song Apt. tied the record for the longest-charting K-pop song on the US Billboard Hot 100. Along with Jisoo, Jennie and Lisa, the New Zealand and South Korean K-pop star will kick off their Deadline tour on 5 July at Goyang Stadium in South Korea. However, fans are concerned her heart might not be in the right place – or her whole person for that matter – as Rosé was recently spotted in LA. Her whereabouts have made fans question why she isn't rehearsing with her bandmates just weeks out from the tour's opening show. The LA sighting has sparked ongoing concerns about the girl group's preparedness for the tour.
Fan Community Pages Share Sightings Of The K-Pop Star
Blackpink fans, who go by Blinks, took to community pages on social media to share photos and opinions of Rosé in LA. Photos on X had fans speculating she was there for reasons related to her solo career, as she is currently signed with Atlantic Records in LA as of September 2024. One fan wrote, 'OMG... i don't even want to attend this impending hot mess of a cash grab anymore.' Another particularly hostile Blink commented, 'Fk bh what's she's doing here while 3 weeks away from tour.' A third fan replied, 'Wtf is she doing in LA !! Girl get your ass in that rehearsal room, Blinks already paid so much !!' The harsh criticism comes as fans fear a repeat of Blackpink's previous Born Pink World Tour, which saw members ridiculed for repeated mess-ups and lack of synchronisation on stage.
Criticism Comes While Solo Career Skyrockets
Some fans defended Rosé in dedicating more time to her solo career. Her debut single album R came out in 2021 through Interscope and YG Entertainment. R contained two songs, On the Ground and Gone, with On the Ground peaking at 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Since signing with Atlantic Records, she has released her debut solo studio album Rosie, containing her hit single Apt. which has tied the record for the US Billboard's Hot 100 longest-charting K-pop song. It matches BTS member Jimin's Who, which also had a 33-week-long chart run. A supporter wrote, 'Oh, Blinks will hate to see this watch them camp in the replies and qrts. Go Rosé, give your all to your solo career!' Another blink commented, 'people need to stop hating and assuming. she probably finished all her takes already.' A fan put simply, 'My hardworking girl 🤍.'
Not The Only Member To Go Solo
While Rosé's recent antics have seen her singled out by fans as not giving Deadline her full attention, she's not the only one focusing on her solo career. Blackpink originally formed and debuted in August 2016 with their single album Square One. Their debut marked them as YG Entertainment's first girl group in six years. Since then, the girl group has become the highest-charting US Billboard Hot 100 female K-pop act. Their single, Ddu-Du Ddu-Du became the most-viewed Korean music video on YouTube at the time of its release, according to IMDb. Blackpink is also the only K-pop girl group to enter and top Billboard's Emerging Artists chart. Since then, all four Blackpink members have launched solo careers, with Jennie kicking off the trend just two years after the band formed. Her first single, Solo, dropped in 2018. Rosé was next to debut in 2021 with R, shortly followed by Lisa, who released a set of dual singles just months after. Jisoo finally jumped on the solo-career-bandwagon in 2023 with her two-track EP titled ME. With their third upcoming worldwide tour, netizens are eagerly keeping an eye on the band members in hopes of seeing the cohesive show-stopping performances the band is known for.
Beyond the immediate controversy, this situation highlights a growing tension within the K-pop industry as veteran groups navigate the delicate balance between group obligations and individual artistic pursuits. Blackpink, now in their ninth year since debut, have reached a level of global fame that allows each member significant leverage. Jennie has established her own label, ODD ATELIER, and released solo material including the hit 'Mantra'. Lisa founded LLOUD and has collaborated with global stars like Doja Cat and Rosalía, while also scoring a role in the HBO series 'The White Lotus'. Jisoo has focused on acting, landing starring roles in Korean dramas such as 'Snowdrop' and the upcoming 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint'.
Rosé's solo trajectory, however, has been particularly meteoric. Her signing with Atlantic Records, a major US label under Warner Music Group, signaled a strategic move to penetrate the Western market more deeply. The success of 'Apt.' – a catchy, pop-rock infused track that became a viral sensation on TikTok – has catapulted her into a different echelon of solo stardom. The song's record-tying run on the Billboard Hot 100 is a testament to her cross-over appeal. But with great solo success comes the scrutiny of divided loyalty. The Deadline Tour is Blackpink's first world tour since the members' contract renegotiations with YG Entertainment in 2023, which reportedly allowed them more freedom for individual projects. However, the tour is also a massive financial undertaking, with millions of dollars in production costs and ticket sales. Fans who have paid hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars for tickets expect a polished, synchronized performance.
The Born Pink Tour, which ran from 2022 to 2023, was a commercial triumph but also faced criticism for vocal inconsistencies and choreography errors. Some Blinks recall performances where members appeared out of sync or forgot dance moves, leading to widespread online mockery. The pressure on the group to deliver a flawless show for the Deadline Tour is immense, and any sign of a member being distracted or under-prepared triggers anxiety among the fanbase. Rosé's LA sighting, just three weeks before the tour opener, taps directly into this fear. Furthermore, the timing is sensitive because K-pop groups typically enter 'lockdown' rehearsal periods weeks before a major tour, where members live and train together intensively. Rosé's absence from Seoul – where YG Entertainment's main practice facilities are located – suggests she may be handling solo commitments separately.
Reports indicate that Rosé was in LA for meetings related to her US promotions and possibly additional recording sessions. Atlantic Records is likely capitalizing on the momentum of 'Apt.' by pushing for more content or collaborations before the tour pulls her away. The label's investment in Rosé is substantial; her album 'Rosie' debuted in the top 20 on the Billboard 200 and she has been featured in major US media outlets, including a cover story for 'Rolling Stone'. These activities require her physical presence in LA, but they also raise questions about how she will juggle both worlds. Some industry insiders note that Blackpink's contract with YG Entertainment allows for a certain number of individual activities per year, but the group tour remains the priority. If Rosé's solo schedule is encroaching on rehearsal time, it could lead to tensions not only with fans but also within the group.
The response from Blinks is not monolithic. While some are critical, others argue that Rosé's solo success ultimately benefits Blackpink's brand. 'Apt.' has introduced Blackpink to new audiences, and her credibility as a solo artist enhances the group's prestige. Fans on supportive sides point out that she may have completed her parts for the tour choreography in advance, or that she is using her time in LA to record vocals or finalize costumes. Some even suggest that the criticism is rooted in misogyny, as male K-pop idols are rarely scrutinized as harshly for pursuing solo careers before group tours. For instance, BTS members have ongoing solo projects without comparable backlash when they prepared for group activities.
Looking ahead, the Deadline World Tour is set to be the biggest yet for Blackpink, with stadium shows across Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia. The setlist is expected to include both group hits and solo stages from each member, allowing them to showcase their individual artistry within the concert framework. This tour could serve as a model for how established K-pop groups can successfully integrate solo work into group performances. However, the current controversy underscores the high stakes involved. If the group delivers a flawless performance, the criticism will likely subside. But any misstep will amplify the narrative that Rosé's priorities were misplaced.
In the broader context, Blackpink's situation reflects a shift in the K-pop industry where members of older groups are increasingly asserting their independence. YG Entertainment has adapted by allowing more flexibility, but the core business model still relies on group cohesion. As the Deadline Tour approaches, all eyes will be on Rosé and her bandmates to see if they can harmonize their individual ambitions with the collective magic that made Blackpink a global phenomenon.