WHEN I learnt that BlackPink’s Kuala Lumpur concert was sold out, I had expected to see one helluva show. Besides, BlackPink is under YG Entertainment, the talent agency that gave us mega-popular K-Pop groups BigBang, Winner and iKon, and is known for putting out world-class concert productions.
So as a Blink (fandom name for BlackPink fans), I attended the first day of the two-day show at Stadium Malawati last Saturday with a spring in my step. It looked like all 8,000 concert attendees had the same spirit.
The show started off strong and promising with their hit Ddu-Du Ddu-Du, a booming dance number that shot BlackPink to international stardom. The four group members — Jennie, Rose, Lisa and Jisoo — amped up the party atmosphere even more with their sleek and sexy choreography and rousing vocals.
The seemingly hysterical crowd sang along loudly, especially to the “Hit you with that ddu-du ddu-du du (a sound resembling gun shots)” part in the chorus. The whole stadium was bathed in pink-tinted light from above the stage, and the view was enhanced with pink lights from BlackPink’s official light stick that its fans were waving. It was a pretty sight.
Ddu-Du Ddu-Du was followed by my favourites: Forever Young, Whistle and the remixed version of Stay. However, I was distracted when a member of the concert’s security personnel approached a girl in the audience nearby and forcefully took her phone away as she was filming the performance. Yikes!
Meanwhile, a short video compilation of Blinks worldwide doing dances and vocal covers of BlackPink songs was being played. The fans’ dedication and efforts were so heartwarming to watch!
SOLO ACTS
Up next on stage were the solo performances. Jisoo showcased a cover of Zedd’s EDM track Clarity, while dancing queen Lisa performed a sexy dance routine to the beat of Jason Derulo’s Swalla and Miso’s Take Me.
As the group’s main vocalist, Rose proved her crooning skills with a touching acoustic medley of The Beatles’ Let It Be, Park Bom’s You & I and Taeyang’s Only Look At Me. She was really great, but I thought she could have chosen more familiar numbers.
The solo that everyone was waiting for was Jennie’s, aptly named Solo, which had a catchy hook that got everyone singing along. BlackPink then performed Kiss And Make Up, its collaborative track with UK singer-songwriter Dua Lipa; followed by its cover of K-Pop girl group Wonder Girls’ hit song So Hot.
As Kiss And Make Up started playing, however, Jennie suddenly rushed off backstage, leaving the others to continue singing. I learnt via Twitter later that her microphone was faulty.
She hadn’t returned when her first part came on, but thankfully her backing track (a pre-recorded vocal accompaniment) was loud enough. Playing With Fire, Really (the reggae version sounded refreshing) and See You Later, was followed by a dance performance of Stefflon Don’s song, 16 Shots.
The upbeat atmosphere continued with BlackPink’s worldwide hits Boombayah and As If It’s Your Last, and again had the crowd dancing and singing along. For the encore, the girls got comfortable in skirts and T-shirts and performed Ddu-Du Ddu-Du and Stay once again.
The closing song was heartfelt due to its slower tempo and meaningful lyrics (“Stay with me”). When the crowd sang along and their voices reverberated across the stadium, I had tears in my eyes.
CHERISHED MOMENTS
Seeing the girls in person was a dream-like experience since I had been rooting for them since their early days. Listening to my favourite songs live was equally incredible.
BlackPink is known for its edgy music vibes, so it was lovely to see the members acting all goofy and adorable as they entertained the crowd. I was also glad that the management had shown respect and sensitivity by toning down the artistes’ usually sexy wardrobe, somewhat. For example, Jennie’s solo performance at BlackPink’s previous concerts saw her in a (skimpy) killer dress that complemented her “I’m shining solo” female anthem. For the Malaysian concert, however, she wore a simple T-shirt! Other than that, I also enjoyed the live band’s version of BlackPink hits. It somehow made the songs sound more badass!
But all in all, it felt like there was something seriously lacking with the concert production. For one thing, having 10 original songs to perform for an entire concert is insufficient. God knows why YG isn’t allowing BlackPink to release more songs.
The moments where the girls interacted and conveyed their appreciation to the Blinks were rather short. They could have used this chance to connect more personally with fans and leave a more memorable concert experience.
Furthermore, K-Pop concerts usually feature short video clips of the artistes, played to open the show, or at intermission. Most concerts have both. In Your Area’s intro video didn’t even feature the girls! As for the intermission, a long advertisement for the tour’s main sponsor was played. Well, at least the girls were featured this time.
Honestly, I had expected much more, considering the concert’s steep ticket prices and YG’s reputation for delivering entertaining live shows. All Blinks would agree that these girls are talented, but maybe they’re still too new in showbiz.
Undeniably BlackPink has made it big in the US, and become one of the biggest K-Pop groups ever internationally in just over two years since its debut.
Still, I believe that there are areas that can be improved upon before they can be considered superstars.
Blackpink 2019 World Tour In Your Area Kuala Lumpur was organised by MacpiePro and presented by Kia Motors.