Blackpink: Light Up the Sky in Netflix

By Medina Azziera

(from left to right) Jisoo, Rose, Jennie, and Lisa | Source: YG Entertainment

20 OCTOBER 2020 - “Blackpink: Light Up the Sky” is a Netflix original documentary that showcases the never-before-seen facets of these four-pop idol’s lives. It all begins from their discovery by YG entertainment, years of endless training, and their rise to fame today.

The director, Caroline Suh blends realistic and on-the-go footage of the group with separate interviews with the members: Jennie, Lisa, Rosé and Jisoo in the 79-minute long film. This movie proves that versatility in personalities and styles can achieve the power of sisterhood. Suh also documents by showing clips of their past lives before fame, and how they endured their lives as trainees. Moreover, this movie captures heartfelt moments as each one of the members were interviewed with their honest thoughts and opinions about their daily struggles during their trainee days.

Su added that she not only discussed and told the truth to the girls so that they would prepare for the questions they might get asked, but also took her time to clarify exactly what the process of the plan was, before the cameras started rolling.

Rosé/ Park Chae-young | Source: Metro UK

“My whole life changed. I dropped out of school. I had never imagined myself living apart from my family. I hadn't even slept more than two weeks out of home,” said Rosé.

Each of the members were given a chance to prove their ability and steal the spotlight with no assurance that they will get signed to the record label. They mentioned harsh criticism, constant rivalry, rules, and regulations on their lifestyle, and how they had each other’s back during those moments. The oldest and leader of the members, Jisoo is called unnie, which means big sister in Korean, always played her role by making sure the rest of the three members can get through the hardships. Meanwhile, the maknae (the youngest) of the group, Lisa often brings positive energy into the group when the girls are feeling overwhelmed by the constant pressure.

The movie documentary shows the dark side of the K-POP industry. The industry can be enervating and intense which can lead to the damage of their mental health. The members expressed how they were constantly homesick, getting through the day for one performance after the other without any proper rest. Moreover, they had to fit themselves by the unrealistic beauty standards, as they must go through extreme diets, which shows that the music industry often fails to show their concern to their artists.

The release of the movie documentary before their new album release is a part of marketing gimmick, that will indeed stir with the fan’s reactions and emotions. It is a letdown that this documentary only shows a few scenes of complicated moments, as it does not reveal deeper on how the industry profits from their artists from a young age. Music industries in Korea are making millions by constraining their artists to the bone.