Girl group wave returns with stronger Blackpink, stylish newcomers

▲ Girl group BLACKPINK is seen in this photo provided by YG Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, March 10 (Yonhap) -- A new wave of girl groups is sweeping the K-pop scene this spring, led by global superstar Blackpink and followed by rising acts that are gaining traction on music charts.

Blackpink returned with powerful music and broke the first-week album sales record for a K-pop girl group, while newer groups such as KiiiKiii and Hearts2Hearts have climbed to the top tiers of streaming charts with house-style tracks, emerging as new contenders.

◇ Blackpink returns with unexpected sound, sells over 1.7 mln albums in first week

According to the music industry on Tuesday, Blackpink’s new mini album "DEADLINE," released Feb. 27 after a hiatus of three years and nine months, sold 1.77 million copies during its first week of release, according to Hanteo Chart — setting a new record for a K-pop girl group.

The album contains five tracks, including the title song "GO" and the prereleased single "JUMP."

Known for catchy hooks in hits such as "DDU-DU DDU-DU," "Pink Venom" and "Shut Down," Blackpink took a bold musical turn with "GO," which features a powerful and explosive sound unlike its previous songs.

Pop music critic Lim Hee-yun described the track as musically sophisticated despite its unconventional structure.

“While the appeal of typical hooks often comes from vocals, the hook in this song comes from the intense synthesizer sound,” Lim said. “It maximizes the listener’s excitement and dopamine rush, almost like listening to music inside a club.”

He also noted that the part where the members chant “Blackpink” toward the end of the song sounds as if it were recorded far from the microphone, highlighting the group’s bold and fresh production choices.

Another critic, Kim Do-heon, said the group has moved closer to global pop standards.

“Where Blackpink previously showcased a distinctly Korean style with addictive hooks and repetitive onomatopoeia, this time they present music aligned with global pop standards,” Kim said, noting that international producers such as Diplo, Dr. Luke and Chris Martin participated in the album.

To mark the comeback, Blackpink also collaborated with the National Museum of Korea for an 11-day event starting Feb. 26, featuring listening sessions for the new songs and audio guide commentary by the members, demonstrating the group’s cultural influence beyond music.

◇ IVE transforms image as new groups rise on charts

▲ Girl group Ive poses for photographers during a media showcase for its second studio album, "Revive+," in Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap)

Fourth-generation girl group IVE also shed its glamorous image with its second full-length album "REVIVE+" and double title tracks "BANG BANG" and "BLACKHOLE."

"BANG BANG" topped major domestic music charts, including the “Top 100” chart on Melon, and won seven trophies on television music programs. "BLACKHOLE" also entered the upper ranks of streaming charts.

At a showcase for the album last month, IVE said it wanted to try something new after repeatedly presenting a “princess-like” image.

“We hope to become artists who keep people curious about what we’ll do next,” the group said.

Meanwhile, rookie groups KiiiKiii and Hearts2Hearts — which shared the rookie of the year awards last year — have posted notable achievements in their second year with new songs "404 (New Era)" and "RUDE!" respectively, both reaching the top tier of streaming charts.

▲ Hearts2Hearts, SM Entertainment's first new girl group in five years since aespa, perform the press conference for the group's debut single "The Chase" in Seoul on Feb. 24, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Both songs are based on the house genre, a form of electronic music built on a steady four-on-the-floor beat. The style, popular in the mid-2010s with tracks like View by SHINee, has returned as a major trend in Korean pop music more than a decade later.

Music critic Jung Min-jae said house music’s sophisticated atmosphere has helped fuel its popularity.

“House is an accessible genre that can present music in a friendly and approachable way,” Jung said. “It also allows for diverse stylistic variations, which is why groups like KiiiKiii and Hearts2Hearts can show different musical colors. K-pop tends to follow global pop trends, and house has been popular in Western markets for several years.”

▲ Girl group KiiiKiii performs "404 (New Era)," the lead track of its second EP, "Delulu Pack," during a media showcase in Seoul on Jan. 26, 2026. (Yonhap)

As the groups gained popularity, the Melon daily chart on March 8 showed a sweep by girl group songs, with IVE’s "BANG BANG," KiiiKiii’s "404 (New Era)" and Hearts2Hearts’ "RUDE!" occupying the top three spots.

The scene contrasts with the same period last year, when solo artists such as G-Dragon, Hwang Garam, Jo Jazz and Woodz dominated the charts.

An industry official said many hit songs by solo artists last year succeeded largely due to broad public appeal rather than core fandom support.

“Similarly, girl groups have the advantage of appealing not only to fandoms but also to the general public, which can help them grow further,” the official said.

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