BLACKPINK made history once again by performing two consecutive nights at Wembley Stadium in London, joining the Spice Girls as only the second girl group ever to headline the venue. The concerts, part of the group’s DEADLINE World Tour, drew an estimated 148,000 fans across August 15–16, cementing their place in K-pop history.
UK Media Praises BLACKPINK’s Milestone
Several British outlets celebrated the achievement with glowing reviews.
- BBC hailed them as “the greatest girl group in the world” for breaking new ground at Wembley.
- The Guardian admired their collective synergy, noting that the group “shines in explosive, high-energy performances.”
- The Standard described the shows as “dynamic, polished, and joyful,” while United By Pop highlighted the deep fan connection during songs like Stay, Lovesick Girls, and Jump.
The Times’ Critical Take: “Only Lisa Stood Out”
In sharp contrast, The Times offered a far more critical review, awarding just 3 out of 5 stars and arguing that the performances lacked consistency. Journalist Blanca Schofield suggested that only Lisa delivered from the start: “It took a while for the group to get going, as out of Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé and Lisa, only the Thai-born Lisa look as if she really wanted to be there to begin with, winking at the cameras and executing each move with vim.”
Lisa was praised not only for her charisma but also for her growing global reputation, including her role in The White Lotus season three and collaborations with Western artists like Doechii, Raye, and Rosalía. However, fans were surprised when she skipped her hit New Woman in favor of the subdued Thunder and Rockstar.
Jennie, often seen as the group’s face, was criticized for a sluggish start but later redeemed herself with Like Jennie, which the reviewer called the “highlight of the show.” The review also referenced her past struggles with the physical toll of K-pop.
Rosé earned praise for her vocals and her role as spokesperson, charming the crowd with witty banter. She delivered emotional performances of Toxic Till The End and APT. with Bruno Mars, though the review implied her impact fell short of expectations.
Jisoo faced the harshest critique, being described as “the most forgettable member,” despite her solo Earthquake being acknowledged as “interesting.”
Despite its rocky first half, the show reportedly hit its stride in the final hour, culminating with the high-energy anthem Jump, which critics and fans alike agreed was a unifying, crowd-pleasing finale.
However, The Times also criticized the commercialization of the concert, pointing out pricey merchandise like the £70 lightsticks dubbed “heart axes.”
Fans React Strongly Online
The review quickly spread across online forums, dividing opinions. Many Blinks blasted the article as overly harsh and disrespectful, especially toward Jisoo. Comments included: “Criticism is fine, but calling Jisoo forgettable is cruel” and “If they weren’t talented, they wouldn’t be at Wembley.”
Others, however, agreed that the review reflected an outsider’s perspective, arguing that diehard fans may not judge the performance as objectively.
Whether viewed as a triumph or a flawed performance, BLACKPINK’s Wembley shows remain a historic milestone for K-pop’s global expansion. While most UK media praised the group’s energy and star power, The Times’ harsher assessment highlights the ever-growing scrutiny that comes with being one of the world’s biggest acts.
Sources: The Times UK
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