Taking ownership over our successes is something that many of us struggle with, and Blackpink members Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa, and Rosé prove to be no different. Yes, they might be a chart-topping, record-breaking music marvel but the foursome is modest about the band’s steady rise to becoming the best in the business. In a recent interview with Forbes, Blackpink discussed how they dealt with the challenges 2020 threw at them, as well as how they are coming to terms with reaching the pinnacle of pop.

“We’re very honoured to be named the biggest girl group because we all started wanting to be that,” Jennie told the magazine. “It’s hard to see the reality where people actually call us that. We feel very responsible… and pressure.” Blackpink have long been quick to link any praise they receive to their dedicated fan following, known as Blinks, Jennie continued: “Even though it’s a big title and with the amount of love and support we receive… We want to keep doing what we do, be a group of positive influences and keep making great music for you guys. We’re very grateful for how the world sees us and it gives us motivation.”

2020 has been a rollercoaster of album releases and cancelled tours for Blackpink. In October, they released their first full record, The Album, which Rosé explained meant “a lot to us personally. For that to be in their hands and have our fans react to it in such a positive way and have them enjoy it.” Jisoo also added that though they are aware of their chart positions and the critical acclaim, it’s the response of the fans they await the most and feel grateful for social media during this time. “We always listen to our fans’ feedback and monitor their responses because in these times, especially when we can’t meet them face to face, the feedback we get through social media is more valuable. So we want to use it and respond to it as much as possible.”

Through social media, the band have also come to understand the new audience that has discovered their music over the last 12 months, and will be adding to this with a YouTube concert named plainly, “The Show,” set to be broadcast on 27 December. A peak between-Christmas-and-New-Year pick-me-up. Think of this as Blackpink’s festive treat to the Blinks, old and new.

“We’re surprised every day. We’re like, how can somebody be so supportive of a person?” Rosé added on the fans’ dedication. “It’s just unbelievable. I think we really commend them. They work very hard for us and it just blows our minds how they can be so supportive of somebody else. We [have] learned from our fans too. We want to say we’re very thankful for how hard they try, how much support they give us and we appreciate it. We really do.”

cr. Vogue