By Jason Lin, Kaohsiung American School, Grade 11
October 18 was not just another day for Kaohsiung. It was a dream come true for BLINKs. As one of the world’s biggest K-pop groups arrived, more than 50,000 fans packed the Kaohsiung National Stadium to see BLACKPINK live. The girls were late on day one, about 30 minutes, but improved to only seven minutes late on day two. When their new single “Jump” began, the lights dimmed and thousands of pink hammer light sticks turned the stadium into a glowing sea of color.
As the lights went down, the sound of trumpets filled the air. Then came the famous line, “Ya ya ya, BLACKPINK in your area,” and the crowd screamed louder than ever.
The synchronized light sticks, timed perfectly by the BLACKPINK team, filled the stadium with bright colors. Combined with their strong vocals, it was an amazing opening.
The energy stayed high with “Pink Venom.” Fans recognized the beat right away and sang along to every word. The mix of traditional Korean sounds and hip-hop bass made the performance powerful and different.
Next was “How You Like That.” The members danced in perfect sync under flashing pink and blue lights. The crowd shouted every line, especially during the chorus, creating a real connection between BLACKPINK and the fans.
“Playing With Fire” slowed things down a bit. The fiery visuals and emotional singing gave everyone chills. Then “Shut Down” brought elegance and power with its mix of violin and rap, ending that part of the concert perfectly.
Jisoo’s solo came next, and her live vocals were incredible. I was not a big fan of her new album at first, but hearing it live changed my mind. Her voice was emotional and strong enough to shake the whole stadium.
Lisa followed with an unbelievable solo stage. Her dancing was flawless. When she descended from the elevated stage to the line “Better make way, ’cause I’m coming now,” the crowd went wild. Her performances of “When I’m With You” and “Rockstar” were full of energy. The pre-chorus of “Rockstar” lit up the whole stadium with both fire and excitement.
Jennie was next. Her tongue roll and playful attitude instantly hyped up the crowd. The stage lights flashed pink and silver as she performed “Pretty Savage,” showing off her confidence and charisma. Then the mood softened with “Don’t Know What to Do.” The slower pace and soft lighting created a beautiful and emotional atmosphere.
“Whistle” and “Stay” brought back memories, with fans swaying their pink hammers to the rhythm. “Lovesick Girls” ended this section of the concert on a perfect note of energy and unity.
Then the crowd started chanting “Jennie, Jennie, Jennie.” The speakers echoed her name until she appeared with her iconic sunglasses and Chanel crop top. When she started singing, everyone shouted along to every word. Her rap section was one of the most confident moments of the night.
Rosé’s solo stage followed. The lights turned gold as she sang “Game Boy” and “Toxic Till the End.” (She even ate 鹹酥雞 during night two.) Her voice was soulful and filled with emotion. When “APT” began, the audience screamed in surprise. It was a beautiful moment that showed her talent.
The final section was pure adrenaline. BLACKPINK came back on stage with “Jump,” then followed with their hits “BOOMBAYAH,” “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” and “As If It’s Your Last.” The encore included “Forever Young,” “Really,” and “See U Later.” Everyone sang, waved their lights, and smiled through the last song.
As fireworks exploded over the stadium, I felt like I was meeting my younger self again — the same kid who saw BLACKPINK for the first time on his birthday in eighth grade. This time, it wasn’t just a concert. It was a memory I will never forget.
