Blackpink are back and better than ever with their latest single “DDU-DU DDU-DU.” Dripping with their signature confidence, swagger, and stunning style, the girls use fashion to make a prominent statement alongside their powerful new single.
Blackpink are the newest girl group from YG Entertainment, the second biggest entertainment company in the K-Pop industry. Most people compare them to a younger version of the girl group 2NE1, who were also from YG Entertainment and helped pioneer the edgy image for women in the industry.
The group consists of a quartet: Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. Uniquely, each member has lived in different countries. Jisoo is the only native Korean and she is known as the main vocalist and visual of the group. Jennie lived in New Zealand, and is both a rapper and vocalist. Rose is from Australia, and a main vocalist. Finally, Lisa is Thai, and the main dancer.
Blackpink splashed back onto the scene with their most recent comeback. They haven’t released any music for the past year, their last track being “As If It’s Your Last” from last May. Perhaps due to their lack of material available, all five of their songs are well known and each have millions of views on YouTube. This arguably makes them even more famous, as the rarity of their new releases always makes waves.
The real standout in this video is Jennie, who has already modeled for Chanel Korea among other outlets. She very much channels CL, the fearless leader of 2NE1, with her intense body language, something that can be seen even in Blackpink’s debut songs “Whistle” and “Boombayah.” Her outfits are the most memorable in this music video.
In the opening verse, Jennie is seen in a multi-colored gown wearing a crown looking like a newly crowned queen. Accompanied with shopping bags, it completely encapsulates the “rich heiress” image.
Jisoo tends to get the classiest, most minimalist looks in the music videos, as a nod to her being the most traditionally Korean of the four. In her first scene, Jisoo has an Audrey Hepburn-inspired black dress and diamonds look as she carries an umbrella.
Later is a shot of Jisoo walking in front of a large portrait of herself. She is the center of attention, the star, and bystanders take photos of her on their phones. At one point, she falls and the cameras are suddenly on her. They point at her like guns and the men are now wearing black masks. This is a nod to the pressures and downfalls of fame, and the intense scrutiny that K-Pop idols face.
Despite her exceptional dance skill, Lisa’s scenes in this video are fewer and not as memorable as the other three girls. In her opening scene, Lisa slouches around in a sporty outfit including oversized knee-high baby blue boots and a matching dress, with a black and orange letterman jacket. It is the exact kind of trendy high-fashion look that could be seen in an editorial magazine.
Rosé is wholly “pretty” in every scene of this music video. In her standout moment, she wears a glittery evening gown standing atop a pillar in a church, giving off a goddess aura, and amplified regality.
Later she swings in that same church setting under a chandelier, keeping with the elegant imagery. At one point, Rose walks beneath hanging pink flowers. All her scenes seem to represent an innocent, princess like quality, portraying her as the damsel.
The video closes out with a series of group sequences. In the first group dancing part, Lisa is the only member not wearing neutral colors. Again, Jisoo has the most classic outfit with a sparky black one piece. Jennie and Rosé wear similar long sleeve sparkly tops and jean cutoffs. But Lisa sports glittery pink boots and matching shorts, with bright green gloves. Perhaps this is meant to highlight Lisa as the best dancer and draws her to the viewers eye.
In group shots, we see the girls as we’re used to seeing them like in streetwear in a run-down room. It’s that kind of urban flair that is characteristic of them. In another, an Indian, henna-inspired background, with Jennie’s matching bindi. Cultural appropriation is often used to add an extra “edge” to YG music videos, but it’s an issue that has yet to be seriously addressed by the company.
The final scene shows the girls seated on a sort of stone throne. Jennie is in the center with the other three surrounding her. This family portrait-style frame is the perfect end to a video emphasizing opulence, wealth, and class.
The “DDU-DU DDU-DU” music video is chock-full of amazing outfits that fans are sure to be emulating on the streets. The fashion-forward nature of Blackpink is part of their appeal, as trendsetters and fashion-centric. It accompanies their powerful public persona. The plethora of inspirational outfits complements a hard-hitting and groovy, crowd-pleasing song.
This post was written by our guest blogger, Lauren Jiang.
