The Blackpink Chronicles

"Blackpink: Light Up the Sky" is currently showing in Netflix and out of curiosity, I had watched it. One reason is that this makcik can't tell the members apart. So in the interest of research, I watched the documentary to be able to differentiate the girls?

Like any manufactured Korean band, the girls went through grueling training for 4-5 years before they were introduced to the world. We're looking at 13 days of training, 14 hours a day.. with one day off in 2 weeks 😱 for 4-5 years 😱😱. Perseverance, eat your heart out.. and incidentally, that's probably how they maintained their tiny bodies.

The documentary first covered them as a group- their success and achievements- their interaction with their music director/ composer/ songwriter Teddy Park, then it went on to do individual interviews with every member. Teddy had said: We have a LOT of materials here, but whatever we put out, we think about it carefully and select the one that creates the best positioning. The whole process (of course) is very purposeful and technical.

They girls were discovered between the ages of 14-16 (the talent scout said in the background that these girls will learn various dance moves that their young minds will remember for a long time).. plus 4-5 years of training.. that makes them probably 18 at the youngest and around 20 years old on average. 

Despite ending on a 'high' from their tour and being the first Korean group to perform in Coachella, one of them had said: newer girls will replace us but they will remember how bright we shone. Another member remarked that during training they enjoyed themselves singing and dancing, without much pressure.. and now that they're successful, fans are expecting new releases (what's next?).. when they have just concluded their tour, or recently released a song or MV..  

As I was watching the documentary and doing their age calculations, it hit me: no wonder in some cases these performers consider themselves "has-beens" before they even hit 25 or 30 (when the rest of us have just finished university and are beginning to start work/ start being independent, they have literally conquered the world).. and it is sad to see instances of suicide.. we do not know the reasons, but the pressure of fame & being successful (and continuing to be successful) could be a reason.

Apart from the rigorous training and image building, that had clearly worked, I think the entertainment companies should provide a resident counselor/ psychiatrist... and this role will need to do a session with the stars on what happens after this. Like how to upskilling yourself or transition into a new career? By the way, perhaps I should also research what members of the Girls Generation are currently up to? They were supremely successful one time, and now have gone on to live their lives doing different things. Something like "Where are they now"?

For Blackpink.. Lisa could probably open a dance school in Thailand, Rose could probably be a songwriter next.. or a writer.. The other 2 members haven't quite delved too much into their personalities for me to predict their next career change but I do hope that they find a new project before this fantastic journey comes to an end.