Are You a True BLINK? The Ultimate Guide to Proving Your Blackpink Fandom

So, you love Blackpink? You bop to ‘DDU-DU DDU-DU,’ sing along to ‘Kill This Love,’ and maybe even attempted the ‘How You Like That’ dance challenge. But are you a true BLINK? Being a fan goes beyond just liking their music; it’s about understanding their journey, appreciating their individual talents, and being part of the vibrant community. This guide will help you assess your Blackpink fandom level and provide concrete steps to deepen your connection with Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé, and Lisa. Get ready to put your fandom to the test!

Phase 1: The Foundation – Knowing the Basics

Before diving into the deep end, let’s make sure you’ve got the fundamentals down. These are the cornerstones of any true BLINK’s knowledge:

1. Know the Members Inside and Out

This isn’t just about recognizing them in a group photo. It’s about understanding their individual personalities, strengths, and roles within the group.

• Jisoo: The eldest, the visual, and the lead vocalist. She’s known for her calm and collected demeanor, her love for her pet dog Dalgom, and her unique sense of humor. Test Yourself: Can you describe her fashion style? Do you know her favorite colors and foods? What are her acting experiences?
• Jennie: The main rapper and vocalist, often seen as the ‘it girl’ with a strong stage presence and a chic fashion sense. She’s known for her duality, being fierce on stage and cute off-stage. Test Yourself: Can you name some of her solo work? Do you know what her signature poses are? Can you explain her “nini” persona?
• Rosé: The main vocalist with a distinctive, soulful voice. She’s known for her sensitive and sweet personality, and her love for playing the guitar. Test Yourself: Can you name her solo album? Do you know her favorite food or hobbies? Can you identify her vocal style?
• Lisa: The main dancer, lead rapper, and maknae (youngest member). She’s known for her incredible dance skills, her charismatic stage presence, and her bright personality. Test Yourself: Can you name some of her dance performances? Do you know where she’s originally from? Can you describe her fashion evolution?

How to Deepen Your Knowledge:

• Watch their documentaries and interviews: Look for shows like ‘Blackpink: Light Up the Sky’ on Netflix or compilations of interviews on YouTube. This will give you insights into their individual personalities and their dynamic as a group.
• Follow their official social media: Stay up to date with their Instagram and other platforms to see what they are sharing with the world. This gives you a glimpse into their current lives and activities.
• Read fan-created content: Blogs, fan forums, and even Reddit can offer diverse perspectives and deep dives into the members’ individual quirks and talents.

2. Master Their Discography

Knowing the songs is not enough; a true BLINK knows the albums, the B-sides, the solos, and even the unreleased tracks.

• Album Knowledge: Can you name all their Korean and Japanese albums? Do you know the release dates? Can you identify the themes of each album?
• B-Sides: Do you know tracks like ‘See U Later,’ ‘Don’t Know What to Do,’ and ‘Pretty Savage’? These gems are just as important as their title tracks.
• Solo Work: Can you name the solo projects of each member? Are you familiar with their different musical styles?
• Collaborations: Do you know their collaborations with other artists like Selena Gomez, Dua Lipa and Lady Gaga?

How to Deepen Your Knowledge:

• Create playlists: Categorize their songs into different themes, moods, or eras. This will help you appreciate the evolution of their music.
• Read song lyrics and understand their meaning: Many of their songs have deeper meanings beyond the catchy tunes. Exploring the lyrics will enhance your understanding of their art.
• Explore fan-made remixes and mashups: This can give you a different perspective on their music and appreciation for their diverse style.

3. Understand Their Journey and History

Every great group has a unique story, and Blackpink is no different. Being a true BLINK means being aware of their highs, lows, and everything in between.

• Pre-Debut: Do you know about the pre-debut videos and their journey as trainees?
• Debut Era: Are you familiar with their debut and their early struggles?
• Achievements: Can you name their major awards, nominations, and records?
• Challenges: Have you researched their struggles and obstacles throughout their career?

How to Deepen Your Knowledge:

• Read articles and documentaries: Research the timelines of Blackpink’s journey. Learn about their achievements and the difficulties they had to overcome.
• Engage with fellow BLINKs: Discuss their journey with other fans to gain different insights and perspectives.

Phase 2: Going Deeper – Showing Your Fandom

Okay, you’ve got the basic knowledge down. Now it’s time to show your true BLINK colors through action and engagement.

1. Engage in the Fandom Community

The BLINK community is a global network of passionate fans. Being a true BLINK means actively participating and contributing to it.

• Join Fan Forums and Groups: Participate in online discussions, share your thoughts, and connect with fellow BLINKs.
• Follow Fan Accounts on Social Media: Stay updated with the latest news, fan projects, and events.
• Respect other BLINKs: Treat every fan with kindness and respect, as the community thrives on positivity.
• Participate in Fan Projects: Be an active participant in fan-led events, such as streaming campaigns, donation drives, and birthday projects.

How to Deepen Your Engagement:

• Create your own content: Share fan art, edits, or writings to contribute to the community.
• Moderate a fan community: Take the initiative to help keep things organized, welcoming and positive.
• Attend fan gatherings: If possible, attend offline events to meet and connect with fellow fans.

2. Support Their Work Actively

True fans actively support their idols, not just passively enjoying their work.

• Stream their music: Stream their music on official platforms to help them climb the charts.
• Buy their albums and merchandise: Support them financially by purchasing their products.
• Watch their music videos: Stream their music videos on YouTube to help them break viewing records.
• Vote for them: Participate in voting for award shows and other polls.

How to Deepen Your Support:

• Encourage others to stream and support: Invite friends or family members to listen to Blackpink and share their love.
• Report misuse and malicious activities: If you see malicious accounts, content or practices against Blackpink or other fans, take steps to report them and protect the community.
• Engage with official content: Share, comment, and participate in official content by Blackpink’s management to increase engagement.

3. Represent the Fandom Positively

Being a true BLINK means representing the fandom with pride and positivity.

• Avoid Fan Wars and Toxic Behavior: Refrain from participating in fan wars or spreading negative comments.
• Be Respectful to Other Groups: Respect other artists and fandoms.
• Promote a Positive Fandom: Encourage positivity, kindness, and inclusivity in the community.
• Be an ambassador of Blackpink: Represent the group well when interacting with other fans, people who aren’t fans and in public in general.

How to Deepen Your Positive Representation:

• Practice empathy: Understand different viewpoints and try to be understanding.
• Spread the word: Focus on sharing positive information about Blackpink.
• Be a role model: Act responsibly and try to be the kind of BLINK you’d be proud to be.

Phase 3: The Advanced Level – True Dedication

You’ve reached the final phase. Here’s how to demonstrate ultimate dedication and passion.

1. Master Their Choreography

Blackpink is known for their sharp and captivating dance performances. Learning their choreography is a way to immerse yourself in their artistry.

• Learn Basic Dance Moves: Practice with tutorials on YouTube and try to get the basic moves right.
• Recreate Full Choreography: Challenge yourself to learn a full song choreography.
• Share your Dance Covers: Share your dance covers with other fans.
• Attend Dance Classes: If possible, participate in dance classes that teach Blackpink’s choreographies.

How to Deepen Your Dedication:

• Study dance practice videos: Observe the minute details and nuances of their choreographies.
• Participate in dance challenges: Participate in fan-made dance challenges and connect with other dancers.
• Create your own interpretation: Develop your unique style while dancing to their songs.

2. Follow Their Fashion Trends

Blackpink’s fashion sense is always on point. Recreating their iconic looks can be a fun way to show your fandom.

• Study their fashion styles: Observe their clothing styles from music videos, award shows, and photoshoots.
• Create inspired outfits: Create your own outfits inspired by their fashion trends.
• Share your fashion interpretations: Share your inspired outfits with other BLINKs.
• Participate in fashion challenges: Show your fashion knowledge and interpretation of their style by participating in fashion challenges.

How to Deepen Your Dedication:

• Research their stylists and designers: Explore the background of their designers and understand the context behind their choices.
• Create a style mood board: Organize inspiration boards to create new looks based on their style.
• Share a style blog: Post your own unique take on their style through a blog or social media.

3. Support Their Individuality

Blackpink members are not just a group; they are also individuals. Support their solo projects, acting endeavors, and other artistic activities.

• Support their individual activities: Engage in solo projects such as solo music, acting roles, brand partnerships, and other solo engagements.
• Celebrate their individual milestones: Congratulate each member on their individual achievements and support them with kind and thoughtful messages.
• Acknowledge their individual challenges: Understand and be supportive of each member’s challenges and setbacks.
• Respect their individuality: Respect their decisions and autonomy as individuals.

How to Deepen Your Dedication:

• Learn more about their interests: Delve into their individual tastes, hobbies, and passions to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their personalities.
• Encourage their personal growth: Provide encouragement and support as they navigate their personal and professional growth and development.
• Respect their boundaries: Acknowledge their personal space and respect their limitations and comfort zones.

The Final Test – Are You a True BLINK?

This guide isn’t about gatekeeping fandom. It’s about encouraging you to deepen your love and appreciation for Blackpink. Being a true BLINK isn’t about checking off boxes; it’s about genuine love, respect, and dedication. Here’s a final checklist to help you gauge your current level:

• Do you know all the members’ names, roles, and personalities?
• Can you name most of their songs, B-sides, and solo works?
• Are you aware of their journey from pre-debut to now?
• Do you actively participate in the fan community?
• Do you stream, buy, and vote for their music?
• Do you represent the fandom positively?
• Have you attempted their choreography or fashion styles?
• Do you support their individual projects and activities?
• Do you treat all members with equal respect and love?
• Do you feel a deep connection with Blackpink and their music?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, congratulations, you are well on your way to being a true BLINK! If not, don’t worry! This guide is just a starting point, so keep learning, engaging, and loving Blackpink, and you’ll get there. Remember, every BLINK’s journey is unique, and the most important thing is to enjoy the music and community.

The world of K-Pop, and Blackpink’s music in particular, offers so much beyond catchy tunes and captivating performances. Take the time to explore all the nuances of their art, connect with other fans, and celebrate the incredible talents of Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé, and Lisa. Happy BLINKing!