BLACKPINK Set to Make Grand Return in May with New Album and World Tour

BLACKPINK has officially confirmed their full-group comeback in May 2025, featuring the release of a new album alongside a world tour. This resumption of group activities after over four years of hiatus has drawn significant attention from not only K-POP fans but also the global music industry. Following the expiration of their contract with YG Entertainment, the members went their separate ways, signing with different agencies to pursue solo careers. During this period, Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa all achieved notable success on international stages. Rosé became the first K-POP solo artist to enter the Top 10 on the Billboard Radio Songs chart with her collaboration song “Apt.” featuring Bruno Mars, while Lisa is set to release her solo album “Alter Ego” at the end of February. Lisa expressed confidence about this album, saying, “You’ll be surprised by how many different things I can handle.” The full-group return of BLACKPINK holds special significance as it comes after the members have already succeeded in their solo endeavors. Music critic Im Hee-yoon commented, “The fact that they are coming together with their global success already accumulated will create tremendous synergy.” The industry expects BLACKPINK’s comeback, alongside BTS’s activities, to be the most important event in the 2025 K-POP market. However, there are challenges to overcome. With all four members leaving YG and joining different agencies, the previous unified activity structure has changed. Critic Im mentioned, “It remains an open question whether they can still generate the same level of synergy now that they are scattered across different agencies.” BLACKPINK’s world tour is regarded as a crucial event that will directly contribute to the further global expansion of K-POP. Music critic Kim Do-heon predicted, “Together with the world tours of groups like Stray Kids, BLACKPINK’s tour will bring substantial benefits to expanding K-POP’s market share globally.”