After the release of BLACKPINK’s 2nd full album “BORN PINK” and title song “Shut Down”, various people speculate that this may be the group’s last comeback.
On September 16th, BLACKPINK made an impressive return with the title song “Shut Down” and their 2nd full album “BORN PINK”, where they brought forth a new and more mature musical color. As this is the girl group’s first comeback in almost 2 years, many people believe that “Shut Down” and “BORN PINK” are both meaningful works, especially as they mark BLACKPINK’s 6th year in the industry – approaching the dreaded “7-year-curse” of Kpop.
It is easy to recognize the various “easter eggs” in the “Shut Down MV”, which allude to previous music videos that made the name of BLACKPINK. For example, iconic scenes from “Boombayah”, “Whistle”, and “DDU-DU DDU-DU” have all been replicated in “Shut Down”, leading to speculations from netizens about this being a “farewell” MV.
In addition, a scene where Lisan and Jennie shut the rolling door after their “easter eggs” from old MV brought up theories about the girl group “shutting down” their idol career.
However, other netizens pointed out that paying homage to old MVs is something many other Kpop groups also do, and BTS’ case with “Yet To Come” is a prime example. Therefore, to assume that BLACKPINK is disbanding just from a recall MV is a stretch, they commented.
In addition, when examined from a different perspective, the details from BLACKPINK’s new MV can also mean that they are “leaving behind” the old versions of themselves and approaching a better image. The 4 members might have left together and “shut down” the door, but they also walked together to a new room, promising a new future.
Furthermore, many fans looked into the title of BLACKPINK’s new album, “BORN PINK”, and explained that the name alludes to a “rebirth” of BLACKPINK, where they started a new chapter in their career, instead of ending it. Finally, BLACKPINK also sang an important line in “Shut Down”, which mentioned that the song is not their return, for they have never left – which is a far cry from the lyrics of a supposed “disbandment song”.
Still, only time can tell the true future of BLACKPINK, it’s important to focus on the group’s outstanding present, their influence, and unique color instead.
