BLACKPINK's 10th Anniversary Event Sparks Controversy and Member Agency Discussions

BLACKPINK's 10th anniversary celebration in Korea generated significant buzz, primarily due to a controversial fan event that drew widespread criticism. The event's planning and execution led to fan disappointment, prompting apologies from the members and sparking discussions about their individual activities and agency affiliations. This situation highlighted the evolving landscape of the members' careers beyond group activities.

The group, which debuted on August 8, 2016, held a "Meet & Greet" event for 40 fans at the National Museum of Korea on their 10th anniversary, August 8, 2026. YG Entertainment announced the event only two days prior, initially causing confusion about full member attendance before confirming all four would participate. The limited scale (40 fans, 30 minutes) and late notice provoked strong negative reactions from the fandom. Jisoo, Rosé, and Lisa publicly apologized, with Jisoo reportedly showing emotion and Rosé posting a detailed apology on August 11. Jennie, who established her personal agency ODD ATELIER (OA Entertainment), also posted an apology on August 17.

Local bloggers noted the intense fan frustration directed primarily at YG Entertainment's event management rather than the members themselves. The controversy also brought renewed attention to Rosé's January 28 podcast statement where she discussed respecting a member's decision if they no longer wished to continue BLACKPINK activities. This incident underscored the fans' desire for more thoughtful engagement and the members' growing individual career paths, such as Jennie's solo releases including 'SOLO' (2018), 'You & Me' (2023), and her full album 'Ruby' (March 2025).