Movie Review: BLACKPINK – LIGHT UP THE SKY

“BlackPink In Ya Area!” 

A new Netflix documentary about the formation and the rise of one of the biggest Korean pop (Kpop) groups that’s active right now, BlackPink. The four young ladies that make up the group, Jennie, Lisa, Rosé, and my new favorite Jisoo, all speak really candidly about this path that they’re on that has led them to superstardom. 

The movie chronicles the way many South Korean record labels operate, signing up young talent, then have them trained for years and years until they’re ready to debut as a pop music artist. YG Entertainment whittled down their prospects to these four unique personalities, and the film is filled with archival footage of the girls to give you a real sense of how far and how long they have journeyed. 

BlackPink performs at Coachella 2019

I absolutely loved this film. Being a HUGE Kpop fan definitely contributed to my enjoyment of it, but I think this even works as a documentary into a world unfamiliar to some. I’ve always enjoyed BlackPink’s music (some songs more than others), but this film really offers such a uniquely intimate look into their world, I feel like I have a whole new appreciation for them. They are insanely popular right now, and I feel like they’ve definitely earned it.

With the candid interviews, the pre-debut footage, and the very clear narrative leading to the biggest concert of their career, the movie shows what BlackPink is made of, without giving away too much performance footage. That will hopefully be the catalyst for people to delve into their music and especially their videos and check out  the group for themselves. BlackPink have accomplished so much already, and they’re still at the beginning. 

4.5 out of 5 

“Marquee Mark” Markellus