💫 BLACKPINK: Unknown & Rare Facts
🖤 1. BLACKPINK almost debuted under a different name.
Before debut, YG considered “Pink Punk,” “Baby Monster,” and “Magnum” as possible group names.
Jennie once joked that if they’d gone with Pink Punk, their whole vibe would’ve been totally different.
YG later said the final name, BLACKPINK, means “not everything is pretty — strength is beauty.”
💗 2. They trained together for up to 6 years — and lived in dorms with no phones.
During their YG trainee days, they weren’t allowed to use cellphones, social media, or even go out freely.
Jennie trained the longest (about 6 years), while Rosé trained only 4 years — the shortest among them.
They said their friendship grew strong because the dorm was “like survival camp, but with laughter and dance.”
💞 3. Jennie was actually supposed to debut as a solo artist — not in a group.
YG originally planned for Jennie to be a solo rapper/singer, but they realized her chemistry with the other trainees was too good to waste.
She became the first revealed member of BLACKPINK and later debuted solo with “SOLO.”
💛 4. Lisa’s audition changed YG’s history.
When Lisa auditioned in Thailand, she didn’t speak Korean — just danced.
She was the only one accepted out of 4,000 contestants, and YG’s CEO called her “the most natural performer I’ve ever seen.”
Her addition led to YG opening its doors to more non-Korean trainees. She made history for K-Pop!
🌹 5. Rosé’s father found her YG audition online.
She didn’t even know about it! Her dad showed her the ad for YG’s Australian audition, and she almost didn’t go because she thought it was “too far-fetched.”
She flew from Melbourne to Sydney — and ranked #1 out of 700 contestants.
Two months later, she moved to Seoul at just 15 years old. Brave Little Rosé!
💐 6. Jisoo was a backup dancer and actress before debut.
Before BLACKPINK, Jisoo appeared in CFs (commercials) and music videos for Epik High and Hi Suhyun, and even trained briefly in acting.
In YG, she was known as “the trainee who never complained.”
Her visuals were so striking that even before debut, she was recognized by fans on the street.
🎤 7. Their debut was delayed multiple times.
BLACKPINK was supposed to debut in 2012, then 2014, then 2015, before finally debuting in 2016.
They said the delays were tough — but they used the time to perfect their skills and teamwork.
💅 8. “BOOMBAYAH” was recorded in less than a week.
Their debut single was rushed after YG finalized the lineup.
They had just days to record vocals, shoot choreography videos, and film the MV — and it still became a record-breaking debut.
🧃 9. Rosé almost didn’t appear in “Playing With Fire.”
During the filming, she caught a cold and lost her voice. She recovered just in time for the recording — her raspy tone ended up becoming one of the song’s highlights.
💎 10. Lisa choreographed her own dance for “Money.”
Although choreographers provided guidance, Lisa created and personalized many of the movements herself — especially the iconic arm wave and floor slide.
She said she wanted it to “feel like confidence, not just dance.”
🎬 11. Jisoo helped design her solo MV “FLOWER.”
She handpicked the director and suggested the symbolic flower petals as a metaphor for “leaving behind what no longer blooms.”
She even co-wrote parts of the storyline.
🎧 12. Jennie helped produce Rosé’s “On The Ground.”
Jennie gave feedback on lyrics and vocal direction, saying the song reminded her of their early trainee dreams.
Rosé later said: “Jennie unnie’s advice gave me courage to release it.”
Shop a Rosé On The Ground Hoodie here.
🎤 13. The girls used to perform secret mini-shows for YG staff.
During training, they’d perform for staff every month — each time with new choreography, vocals, and outfits.
One time, they themed it “Hip-Hop Prom Night” — Lisa wore a school blazer and rapped over 2NE1’s beats.
🧸 14. Rosé and Lisa used to speak in English together at night.
They were both foreigners in Korea (Australia and Thailand), so they comforted each other by chatting in English when homesick.
They’ve said that bond still feels “like family.”
🎨 15. Jennie draws — and once designed BLACKPINK’s stage logo.
During early tours, Jennie helped sketch the group’s stage lighting symbol — the stylized heart-shaped “light stick hammer.”
Fans still call it the “Jennie Stick.”
💖 16. They don’t have an official leader — and that was intentional.
YG wanted BLACKPINK to operate “as equals,” with no hierarchy.
Jisoo naturally takes on the leader role sometimes, but all major decisions (music, styling, performances) are made as a group.
🌍 17. BLACKPINK rehearsed for Coachella using VR headsets.
To simulate the massive crowd, they practiced with virtual reality projections of the Coachella stage, so they could get used to performing in front of 100,000+ people.
They wanted to “feel the energy before the real thing.”
🕯️ 18. Jennie once lost her voice before a tour show — and still performed live.
During the 2019 world tour, Jennie had throat inflammation but refused to lip-sync.
She adjusted her key and whispered harmonies instead — fans didn’t notice until later when she admitted it.
💬 19. Lisa teaches choreography to the members.
Even though they have professional choreographers, Lisa often learns routines first and helps others break down moves — she’s basically the group’s unofficial dance captain.
💎 20. They record multiple versions of every song.
Each BLACKPINK track reportedly has 3–4 alternate recordings — different arrangements, tempos, or English/Korean lyric swaps.
Sometimes Soyeon (from (G)I-DLE) or Teddy Park helps decide which version feels “most BLACKPINK.”