Blackpink In Your Area: Translation of Female Empowerment
K-pop, a genre of popular music originating in South Korea, has swept the globe only in recent ten years. Yet, the contemporary K-pop dominated by dance groups featuring young entertainers has managed to start a Korean wave around the world. Despite the well-known K-pop group Bangtan Boys (BTS), Blackpink, a rising girl group with Jisoo, Jennie, Rose, and Lisa as its four members, has become another K-pop group that is breaking records on the Billboard, capturing the attention of a global audience. Blackpink’s theme of female empowerment contributes largely to its success, though some may argue that their entertainment company YG plays a pivotal role as well. However, due to the rising awareness for women’s rights and independence, its style of empowerment can greatly appeal to audiences across borders, and there is no exception to China. According to Chinese social media Weibo’s weekly analysis of global stars’ popularity, “Blackpink has stolen the hearts of the Chinese public with Lisa topping Weibo’s Asia Topstar Ranking for the 12th week after the release of the hit ‘How You Like That’”(Yoon SoYeon).
Sharing similar East Asian culture, China has entrenched traditional belief that women should be soft and tranquil, relying on men; and there are pressure and bias regarding physical appearance. All of which help the translation of Blackpink’s music. Thin size has been a consistent beauty criterion back to Song Dynasty as a poet compared a lady’s waist to a willow beside the lake, which also refers to the gentleness that women were expected to possess. Luckily, there is increasing awareness for defying stereotypes as body size never relates to one’s ability, and people should enjoy the freedom of dress to be themselves. The rising awareness in China is shown through the popular girl group survival reality show “Produce 101” that has the concept of indefinable beauty. A recently trending TV series “Nothing But Thirty”, showing challenges faced by thirty-something women, is praised for the portrayal of strong independent women. Therefore, Blackpink’s music that reflects the same theme can resonate with many in society.
Blackpink incorporates the theme of female independence in lyrics that translate well to current Chinese society. As opposed to the standard cute type in K-pop groups, Blackpink embodies the “girl crush” concept that shows the mature, cool, and fierce sides of confident women, calling for female independence. The song “Kill This Love”, about killing toxic love that makes people vulnerable and weak, is a perfect illustration of this concept. “We all commit to love/ that makes you cry/ We’re all making love/ that kills you inside”. It is surprising to see such a straightforward and bold statement that touches on a sensitive, controversial yet significant subject of physical abuse. The line is followed by “Gotta kill this love/ before it kills you too” which gives guidance for how one should deal with toxic relationships as no one has the right to harm you. The abuse may stop, but it is likely to happen again. It feels strong and empowering for people who fell in love with the wrong person, especially females who experienced abuse, to stand up and confidently “kill this love” before losing the ego. Blackpink’s song lyrics successfully capture topics that can resonate with Chinese and global audiences. It also highlights the significance of globalization that allows people around the world to be empowered by sharing the same struggling.
In addition, Blackpink’s success in China is partly due to the idea of defying physical stereotyping through their music videos. Apart from the spectacular visuals of their video, there are hidden messages in settings that have a deeper meaning. For instance, at the beginning of the music video “How You Like That”, Jisoo leaned on the broken wall with words written over her like the hurtful labels people put on women; and Jisoo pulls down the flowery mask to reveal her tired eyes that indicate the weariness of maintaining “perfection” in society. However, by putting on a black mask imitating a robber, Jisoo takes a strong stance to be herself no matter others like it or not. Their transformation in attitude is further shown through Lisa’s way of dress: tank tops and furs with a neck full of jewelry, big gold chain, labret, etc. while she raps. This immediately gives a powerful impression of a cool, “bad” girl that suggests girls can be whoever they are and be as talented as men. The “girl crush” concept appeals to the Chinese audience as there is still a lack of appreciation for different ways of dress. Young people wearing tomboyish clothes are sometimes much-maligned among the older generation. But the empowering music video conveys that other’s opinion cannot shade their talent and prevent them from succeeding. Undoubtedly, the lyrics resonate with women in China and around the world as gender stereotype is a global issue that raises global attention, not only in western cultures. Blackpink is appealing to a wide audience by encouraging women to embrace true self, show their talents, and shine.
Apart from their talented music and videos, Blackpink members’ personalities are very attractive to fans. The band name “Blackpink” given by the YG Entertainment company captures the essence of their characters. The four girls embody both cool and cute sides that correspond to “Black” and “Pink”. Even though they have cool looks, powerful lines and dance moves on stage, during interviews and fan meetings, they are funny and adorable. Chinese fans give Jennie a cute nickname ‘Dumpling’ because of her plump babyface when she laughs. As a group, the level of care they give to each other is more like a family, which resonates with the public as well. Lisa would hug Jennie to protect her from move through the crowd. In cooking TV shows, Jennie used a hand to shield the ingredient from spilling on others’ clothes. From these small moves, people can feel the caring relationship between the four girls. With independence, confidence, and a group of supporting friends, Blackpink becomes the idols that people look up to.
While some may argue that Blackpink is just a commercially produced group by YG Entertainment company that caters to global audiences using the “girl crush” concept, they feel authentic as the way they are marketed. Admittedly, YG Entertainment, as a well-known entertainment company in South Korea that houses one of the most successful idol groups Big Bang, is sensitive to audiences’ tastes and preferences. It helps build the “girl crush” concept as proved that fiery look and sound gain immensely popular with international audiences. However, Blackpink manages to naturally pull off the concept by being strong, confident, and mature in real life. As revealed from interviews, other members stated that Jisoo never cries in front of others because she doesn’t want others to see her in a weak state. She is like the “mother” in the group that is responsible and mature, taking care of others. In another interview that asked Jennie to describe Lisa in three words, Jennie used “Baby”, “Cool” and “Tyrannosaurus”, which matches with public’s perception of Lisa, the lead rapper. Rose is also becoming more confident as Chinese fan refers to her as “little rose when she is acting cute” but “wild rose” when she is on big arenas like Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Global Times). It is hard to fake their characters when many cameras and eyes are fixed on them in different events. Therefore, their authenticity wins the love of audiences.
After all, Blackpink’s characters and theme of music resonates with people in China and audiences around the world by encouraging women to fight stereotypes, feel confident about themselves, and be independent. Just as their group name “Blackpink” implies, women should feel comfortable and empowered to contradict the common perception of “pink” as we embody so much more than beauty.
Work Cited
Jacobs, Harrison. “People Have the Wrong Idea about the 3 Most Popular Procedures in South Korea, the Plastic Surgery Capital of the World.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 28 June 2018. Web. 27 Sep. 2020.
Kelley, Caitlin. “How ‘Girl Crush’ Hooked Female Fans and Grappled With Feminism as K-Pop Went Global in 2018.” Billboard, 31 Dec. 2018. Web. 21 Sep. 2020.
Moon, Kat. “BLACKPINK on the Message of New Single ‘How You Like That’.” Time, Time, 26 June 2020. Web. 21 Sep. 2020.
— — — . “What to Know About Blackpink Members.” Time, Time, 4 Apr. 2019. Web. 21 Sep. 2020.
n.p. “Producer Behind BLACKPINK’s ‘KILL THIS LOVE’ Speaks Up About The Meaning Of The Song.” Koreaboo, 25 Apr. 2019. Web. 21 Sep. 2020.
Ryall, Julian. “South Korea’s Cosmetic Surgery Industry Faces Backlash as ‘Cultural Violence against Women’.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 18 Apr. 2018. Web. 27 Sep. 2020.
Soyeon, Yoon. “Blackpink’s Lisa Lands Her Fourth Modeling Job in China This Year.” Korea JoongAng Daily, 11 Aug. 2020. Web. 21 Sep. 2020.
Times, Global. “Chinese Fans Celebrate S.Korean Girl Band Blackpink’s 3rd Anniversary with Global Event Extending from Beijing to New York.” Global Times, 5 Aug. 2019. Web. 03 Oct. 2020.
