“FLAWLESS,” “IDENTICAL,” “carefree”—these are some of the words that are used to describe K-pop idols. Their impeccable performances, not to mention their perfect on-screen appearances, make these stars come off as “machines,” rather than individual human beings. The new Netflix documentary BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky dismantles this widespread stereotype by portraying BLACKPINK’s journey and highlighting each member’s individuality—showing that they, too, are human.

Introducing BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky

   BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky, directed by Caroline Suh, was released just two weeks after BLACKPINK’s first full-length album, The Album. The film introduces BLACKPINK and the four members that make up the group—Jennie, Rosé, Jisoo, and Lisa. Unlike other K-pop groups, BLACKPINK does not have a leader; the members use their individual strengths to better their team dynamics. Thanks to their global backgrounds, their harmonious balance as a group, and their powerful lyrics and strong melodies, their songs continue to rank high in music charts, fanbases grow larger, and their tours cover increasingly more countries. With their recent album The Album released on October 2, 2020, BLACKPINK became the first-ever K-pop girl group to have sold over 1 million copies, with 1,209,543 copies sold by October 26*. On top of this, they broke the K-pop girl groups’ record on the Billboard charts, with their title song “Lovesick Girls” ranking second in the Billboard 200 chart. They are also the first K-pop girl group to have performed at Coachella, one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the world, contributing to the spread of K-pop culture. The four members started in different parts of the world, but now together—as BLACKPINK—breaking records in the music industry.

   The documentary begins by showing four stiff silhouettes walking into the quiet press conference hall, presenting themselves to the reporters and photographers for their debut—uncomfortable to be at the center of so much attention. However, we are soon introduced to a montage of clips showing their achievements only three years after their debut, with their record-breaking song “Ddu-du ddu-du”, switching to a lively mood. By incorporating the members’ interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, Suh adds a conversational tone, allowing viewers to understand BLACKPINK and their arduous personal journeys from their childhood years to where they stand today.

K-pop idols are human, too

   BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky provides a thorough introduction to BLACKPINK—who they are, what they have experienced, and how they came to be—but it doesn’t stop there. It tackles the stereotypes and labels imposed on these young K-pop idols and provides viewers with a whole new side of the members that we cannot see solely from their performances. As Suh puts it in an interview with Glamour, “I hope the documentary humanizes the members, and that viewers will see them with more empathy.”

   One of the most widespread misconceptions of the K-pop idols is that they are flawless and manufactured “machines” that are identical to one another. All we see from their on-stage performances and success are their talent, beauty, and their invariably bright and carefree attitudes. Unlike the fans who would watch other clips and behind-the-scenes footage to learn more about their bias**, the public assumes a heavily generalized conclusion, that these idols “have it easy” because of their innate talents and flawless looks. But after watching the film, we know that this is certainly not the case.

   The documentary introduces viewers to the K-pop trainee system that BLACKPINK went through: a rigorous system where the members trained for 14 hours a day, had a day off every two weeks, and faced monthly evaluations on their solo songs, a group song, and a group choreography. The members had to excel in every aspect they were trained to survive and succeed in this harsh program. The four members trained in this system for an average of 5 years; they had to wait patiently for their non-guaranteed debut. Suh shows the footage of the members practicing the songs, making their choreographies, and performing them in front of a row full of instructors. The documentary highlights the sacrifices the K-pop idols make to work towards their uncertain future. They are robbed of their middle and high school experiences, living away from their families and friends, and restricted from the outside world. They persevered and overcame their weaknesses despite the harsh conditions; viewers realize that they, too, have challenges that had to be overcome, and certainly did not “have it easy.”

   Even after their debut, they faced new struggles balancing their overwhelming career with their personal lives—striving for a healthy work-life balance. The film shows the four members of BLACKPINK struggling, trying to find themselves amidst their hectic schedules and heated concerts. The honest portrayals of BLACKPINK’s journey show viewers the not-so-glamorous path they took. Seeing how the idols share similar challenges with the public, viewers realize that they are not much different.

   BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky, with its authentic depiction of BLACKPINK and their journey, reveals new sides of the K-pop industry. Through the heartfelt stories, behind-the-scenes footage, and personal interviews both from the members and the people around them, viewers can recognize that K-pop idols, too, are human—they have flaws, face struggles, and each is her own person.

Post documentary

   This documentary not only provides insight into BLACKPINK but also humanizes the K-pop culture, to both “Blinks***” and the public. Having seen the challenges BLACKPINK faced, the obstacles they overcame, and the tiresome path they took, viewers will find themselves with teary eyes, as they watch BLACKPINK climb their way up to success.

   For K-pop fans, this documentary also raises awareness of the harsh survival nature of the K-pop industry. The reason why these idols, including BLACKPINK, look flawless, almost not-human like, is because of the inhumanely competitive and demanding trainee system they are placed in. Not only do the companies expect the trainees to excel in their performances, but they also do require them to fit the “ideal” beauty standards regarding weight, body shape, white skin, and face shape. With the heavy stress on the “perfect” look, the issue of K-pop idol’s body image is more controversial than ever. Some say that the focus on body images is so ingrained into the K-pop industry that it’s a crucial part of these artists’ successes, while others say that it’s time to get rid of the inhumanely high standards and focus on talent****. By listening to the members’ struggles in living up to the fans’ expectations, viewers would recognize that they might be responsible for creating such a stressful atmosphere, with the intense fandom culture and high benchmarks on “ideal” beauty and music.

   Nevertheless, BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky, having been released just two weeks after The Album, has attracted many viewers and stirred public interest in BLACKPINK. It provides viewers with the authentic stories behind the 4 blinking stars and leaves them with a whole new perspective of the K-pop industry and the group itself. It is time to let go of our preconceived notions and view these young strivers as humans, not so different from the rest of us.

*Korea Joongang Daily

**Bias: Referring to the member of a K-pop idol group that is your favorite

***“Blinks”: BLACKPINK’s fandom name

****Billboard