See BLACKPINK's Best Throwback Photos as a Rookie K-Pop Girl Group

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa and Rosé of BLACKPINK perform at the 8th Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards on Jan. 23, 2019, in Seoul, South Korea.Photo:Chung Sung-Jun/Getty

Chung Sung-Jun/Getty

BLACKPINKhas come a long way since their 2016 debut.

After their exclusive contract with YG Entertainment ended in 2023, all four members looked to start their solo careers — though they stillintend to release music as a groupandtour. Rosé became the first member to drop her solo album in December 2024 withRosie, featuring theBillboardHot 100 top 10 hit “APT.” withBruno Mars. In February 2025, Jisoo released her first EPAmortage, while Lisa made her acting debut inThe White Lotusseason 3and released her first albumAlter Ego.

01of 10Training Season(L-R) Jisoo, Rosé, Jennie and Lisa.NETFLIXTheir Netflix documentaryBlackpink: Light Up the Skyshowed the years of hard work they dedicated to becoming idols, with preparations for their debut beginning in 2011.

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Training Season

(L-R) Jisoo, Rosé, Jennie and Lisa.NETFLIX

NETFLIX

Their Netflix documentaryBlackpink: Light Up the Skyshowed the years of hard work they dedicated to becoming idols, with preparations for their debut beginning in 2011.

02of 10Vroom VroomBLACKPINK in ‘Boombayah’.BLACKPINK/YouTubeThey made a lasting impression with their bombastic first single, “Boombayah,” on Aug. 8, 2016. The song coined their signature chant: “Blackpink in your area.”

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Vroom Vroom

BLACKPINK in ‘Boombayah’.BLACKPINK/YouTube

BLACKPINK/YouTube

They made a lasting impression with their bombastic first single, “Boombayah,” on Aug. 8, 2016. The song coined their signature chant: “Blackpink in your area.”

03of 10Early Award ShowsBLACKPINK attends the 2016 Melon Music Awards in Seoul, South Korea, on Nov. 19, 2016.The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via GettyEven early in their careers, the ladies were naturals on the red carpet, appearing at Korean award ceremonies and fashion shows.

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Early Award Shows

BLACKPINK attends the 2016 Melon Music Awards in Seoul, South Korea, on Nov. 19, 2016.The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty

The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty

Even early in their careers, the ladies were naturals on the red carpet, appearing at Korean award ceremonies and fashion shows.

04of 10Four in a RowBLACKPINK attend the 6th Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards on Feb. 22, 2017, in Seoul, South Korea.Han Myung-Gu/WireImageThe four members each developed their own sense of style, and brand sponsorships flocked to each of them — including Celine, Chanel, Saint Laurent and Dior.

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Four in a Row

BLACKPINK attend the 6th Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards on Feb. 22, 2017, in Seoul, South Korea.Han Myung-Gu/WireImage

Han Myung-Gu/WireImage

The four members each developed their own sense of style, and brand sponsorships flocked to each of them — including Celine, Chanel, Saint Laurent and Dior.

05of 10In L-O-V-EBLACKPINK in ‘As If It’s Your Last’.BLACKPINK/YouTubeWith earworms like “As If It’s Your Last” in their discography and lush music videos, it’s no wonder BLACKPINK is the most-followed girl group on Spotify and the most-subscribed music artist on YouTube.

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In L-O-V-E

BLACKPINK in ‘As If It’s Your Last’.BLACKPINK/YouTube

With earworms like “As If It’s Your Last” in their discography and lush music videos, it’s no wonder BLACKPINK is the most-followed girl group on Spotify and the most-subscribed music artist on YouTube.

06of 10Born to PerformBLACKPINK perform at the 25th Tokyo Girls Collection in Saitama, Japan, on Sept. 2, 2017.Visual China Group via GettyTheir charisma and style translated to the stage too. After drawing a massive crowd in their 2019 Coachella performance, they were invited back as headliners four years later.

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Born to Perform

BLACKPINK perform at the 25th Tokyo Girls Collection in Saitama, Japan, on Sept. 2, 2017.Visual China Group via Getty

Visual China Group via Getty

Their charisma and style translated to the stage too. After drawing a massive crowd in their 2019 Coachella performance, they were invited back as headliners four years later.

07of 10Hearts All AroundBLACKPINK at the 2017 SBS Gayo Daejeon ‘Battle of the Bands’ in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 25, 2017.The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via GettyOver the years, each member has rocked different haircuts and colors, from bleach blonde to pink and red.

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Hearts All Around

BLACKPINK at the 2017 SBS Gayo Daejeon ‘Battle of the Bands’ in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 25, 2017.The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty

Over the years, each member has rocked different haircuts and colors, from bleach blonde to pink and red.

08of 10Final PoseBLACKPINK perform at the 26th Tokyo Girls Collection on March 31, 2018, in Yokohama, Japan.isual China Group via GettyAfter more than a decade of training, living and performing with one another, they feel like “family.““We know so much about each other that there are no more surprises,” the group toldBritish Voguein 2020.

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Final Pose

BLACKPINK perform at the 26th Tokyo Girls Collection on March 31, 2018, in Yokohama, Japan.isual China Group via Getty

isual China Group via Getty

After more than a decade of training, living and performing with one another, they feel like “family.”

“We know so much about each other that there are no more surprises,” the group toldBritish Voguein 2020.

09of 10’Pop' StarsBLACKPINK attends ‘Waterbomb at Sprite Island’ on July 21, 2018, in Seoul, South Korea.The Fact/Imazins via GettyBLACKPINK became one of the first K-pop groups to cross over to mainstream Western music, and they have landed collaborations with the likes ofDua Lipa,Selena GomezandCardi B.

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‘Pop’ Stars

BLACKPINK attends ‘Waterbomb at Sprite Island’ on July 21, 2018, in Seoul, South Korea.The Fact/Imazins via Getty

The Fact/Imazins via Getty

BLACKPINK became one of the first K-pop groups to cross over to mainstream Western music, and they have landed collaborations with the likes ofDua Lipa,Selena GomezandCardi B.

10of 10Comfort Crowd(L-R) Lisa, Jisoo, Rosé and Jennie in ‘BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky’.NETFLIXThe attendance for their first Japan arena tour in 2018 was approximately 125,000 across eight shows — and the stages would only get bigger.

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Comfort Crowd

(L-R) Lisa, Jisoo, Rosé and Jennie in ‘BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky’.NETFLIX

The attendance for their first Japan arena tour in 2018 was approximately 125,000 across eight shows — and the stages would only get bigger.

source: people.com