Blackpink and Twice, two of South Korea’s most prominent K-pop female acts, made high-profile returns on Friday with new releases, heightening expectations for a rebound at their respective labels, YG Entertainment Inc. and JYP Entertainment Corp.
At 1 pm Seoul time (4 am GMT), Blackpink fully unveiled its single, Jump, a fast-paced electro dance track that debuted live last Saturday during the group’s Deadline world tour kickoff.
Simultaneously, Twice, a nine-member group and one of K-pop’s most prolific acts, dropped their fourth full-length album, This is For.
NEW ALBUM CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Twice has returned with its first full-length album in nearly four years. The 14-track record follows their last studio album, released in November 2021.
The title track, also named This is For, is described by the label as a high-energy summer anthem.
Twice (Courtesy of JYP) Twice has amassed a global following, particularly in the United States, bolstered by its strong presence in Japan.
It will embark on its sixth world tour, titled This Is For, starting on July 19 at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, Korea. It will perform in an additional 12 cities in Asia and Sydney until Dec. 14.
Crafted by an all-star team of writers including TEDDY, Diplo, 24, Zikai, Claudia Valentina, Jumpa, Malachiii and Jesse Bluu and produced by Diplo, 24, Boaz Van De Beatz, Zecca and Ape Drums, the track signifies a departure from Blackpink’s signature hip-hop style.
(Courtesy of YG) Dave Meyers, a highly acclaimed music video and commercial director in the US, directed the accompanying music video for the electro dance track with unpredictable hooks and pounding beats.
“Fans will feel the perfect synergy of all four members performing together for the first time in nearly three years,” YG Entertainment said in a statement on the day of Jump's release.
Shares of YG Entertainment behind Blackpink had more than tripled to 95,200 won ($69.21) apiece by June 30, ahead of its Deadline world tour launch, from last year’s low of 30,000 won.
Blackpink concert at Goyang Stadium as part of its Deadline World Tour (Courtesy of YG) On Friday, the stock closed down 0.8% at 86,500 won after trimming gains from a session high of 89,300 won in the morning.
Blackpink has kicked off the four members’ first world tour in nearly three years after the Born Pink tour in September 2023.
After wrapping up the two-day Korean leg last weekend, YG Entertainment’s leading act will visit 15 cities across the globe, starting with Los Angeles and lasting until Dec. 13.
JYP Entertainment, the manager of Twice, ended up 5.5% at 74,900 won following Twice’s album release, as investors bet the comeback will revive the company’s lagging performance.
In the first quarter, JYP reported 29.7 billion won in album sales in the first quarter, down 3.8% from a year ago, and 15 billion won in recorded music revenue, off 5.5%. Live performance revenue also dropped 26.3% to 21.7 billion won over the same period.
Analysts say a hit from one of its flagship acts could help reverse that trend.
