BLACKPINK in OUR area: Concert Review

by Jason Lin, Grade 11

October 18th wasn’t just an extraordinary day for the people in Kaohsiung—it was a special day for the Blinks. As one of the world’s top K-pop groups arrived, more than 50,000 fans gathered at the World Sports Stadium to see the famous BLACKPINK. After being fashionably late by thirty minutes on day one, they improved and were only seven minutes late on day two. As their newly released song “Jump” turned up, the volume and the lights dimmed, thousands of pink hammers lit up the stadium.  

As the lights went down, the sound of trumpets suddenly filled the stadium. Then, the iconic line  “Ya ya ya, BLACKPINK in your area” echoed through the speakers, and the entire crowd screamed at the top of their lungs. 

With the light hammers perfectly synchronized by the BLACKPINK team, the entire stadium lit up in vibrant colors. Combined with BLACKPINK’s angelic vocals, it became a truly magical experience.

After the opening, the girls kept the energy high with “Pink Venom.” The crowd instantly recognized the intro beat and sang along to every word. The mix of traditional Korean sounds with heavy hip-hop bass made the performance both powerful and unique.

Next came “How You Like That,” one of BLACKPINK’s most iconic hits. The stage lights flashed pink and blue as the members danced in perfect sync. The fans shouted every line, especially during the explosive chorus, creating a moment of unity between the group and the audience.

When “Playing With Fire” started, the mood shifted. The fiery visuals on the screen and the slower, more emotional rhythm gave everyone chills. It showed a softer yet passionate side of BLACKPINK’s performance style.

Finally, “Shut Down” brought the performance to another level. The mix of classical violin and hip-hop beats filled the stadium with elegance and strength. The girls’ confidence, paired with the synchronized hammer lights from the fans, made it a perfect ending for that part of the concert.

Coming up next was Jisoo’s solo stage, and I must say, I was definitely surprised by her live vocals. Personally, I wasn’t a huge fan of her new album at first, but hearing it live completely changed my mind. Her voice carried so much emotion and power that it shakes the entire stadium. Especially the transition from the song hugs and kisses to earthquake, definitely excited the whole stadium.

Up next was Lisa’s solo stage, and it was absolutely breathtaking. Seeing her incredible dancing skills return to the spotlight felt like a dream come true. The crowd went wild as she descended from the elevated stage, right on cue with the lyrics “Better make way, ’cause I’m coming now.” The performance of “When I’m with you ” and “Rockstar” was pure energy; the pre-chorus of “Rockstar” literally set the stadium on fire, both with the lighting effects and the audience’s excitement. The unique sound of her songs, combined with her confidence and charisma, electrified the entire section I was in.

Coming next was the sound of the electric piano, followed by Jennie’s playful tongue roll that instantly hyped the crowd. The stage lights flashed pink and silver as she performed “Pretty Savage,” showing off her fierce charisma and flawless rap. Her confidence and stage presence were unmatched every move, every lyric hit perfectly.

After that, the mood softened with “Don’t Know What To Do.” Jennie’s voice, joined by the rest of the members, filled the stadium with emotion. The soft lighting and slow choreography created a dreamy, heartfelt atmosphere.

Then came “Whistle” and “Stay,” bringing everyone a wave of nostalgia. Fans swayed their light hammers to the rhythm, singing along to every word. Finally, “Lovesick Girls” wrapped up this part of the concert beautifully  a perfect blend of energy, emotion, and unity between BLACKPINK and their fans.

After “Lovesick Girls,” the words “Jennie Jennie Jennie” started to come out of the speaker. the whole stadium started chanting Jennie. And that’s when Jennie appeared with her iconic sunglasses and the Chanel crop top. Once she started singing the stadium literally sang out the lyrics. “Special editions hat your ai couldn’t copy”. Afterwards it was “do my ladies run this”. “ExtraL” the song followed by her iconic rap.

Next came Rosé’s solo stage. The lights dimmed to a soft golden hue as she sang “game boy ” and “Toxic Till The End.” (She also ate 鹹酥雞 for night two) Her voice was raw, emotional, and full of soul. When the song “APT” started playing, the audience screamed in surprise and joy. It was a breathtaking moment that highlighted Rosé’s talent.

Then the final section began and it was pure adrenaline. BLACKPINK returned with “Jump,” followed by their classic hits “BOOMBAYAH,” “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” and “As If It’s Your Last.” The crowd was unstoppable, waving light hammers and shouting every lyric. As the concert neared its end, the group performed “Forever Young,” with the encore “Really,” and “See U Later,” leaving everyone with the perfect mix of nostalgia and happiness.

And just when it felt like the night couldn’t get any better, fireworks burst above the stadium, lighting the night again. In that moment, it felt like meeting a younger version of myself again, the same me who went to their concert during eighth grade during my birthday. 

Editors Note: This review was picked up by The Kaohsiung Times... You can see that version here.