The K-pop industry is much different from the American music industry. Its biggest stars tour the world and churn out radio-ready bops, of course, but rather than working their way to stardom in the public eye, K-pop idols present their polished images to the world after years of extensive behind-the-scenes training. Netflix's new documentary, Blackpink: Light Up the Sky, shows what this chaotic process is like while giving viewers a personal — if still manicured — look at Blackpink's rise to fame.
The group's fan base, known as the Blinks, is dedicated — so there's no doubt that they'll run toward Light Up the Sky's glossy examination of their beloved group. But even those who aren't the most passionate of fans are likely to be captivated by Blackpink's simultaneously arduous and brisk journey to stardom.
Blackpink: Light Up the Sky shows what this chaotic process is like while giving viewers a personal — if not still a little manicured — look at the Blackpink members' paths to fame.
The internationally famous K-pop girl group, made up of twenty-something women who go by the stage names Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa, and Rosé, is known for their vivid music videos and eye-popping fashion choices. Their debut singles "Whistle" and "Boombayah" reached Nos. 1 and 2 on the Billboard charts right after their debut in the summer of 2016. In 2018, Blackpink signed to Interscope Records and, in April 2019, they became the first female K-pop group to perform at Coachella. On Oct. 2 of this year, they dropped their first full-length Korean-language record, The Album, with appearances from Selena Gomez and Cardi B. It's currently peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The group itself is clinging to No. 1 on the Billboard Artist 100 chart. Despite all this apparently rapid success, however, Blackpink's members had a long journey to the top.
The documentary, directed by Caroline Suh of Netflix's Salt Fat Acid Heat, gives a glimpse into the fairly normal lives Blackpink's leading ladies led in South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand until their early teen years, when they auditioned for music conglomerate YG Entertainment.
Each girl worked long hours for the company in South Korea for more than four years, learning to perfect their vocals and dance moves while at risk of getting cut from the program at any moment. While many trainees are, of course, not so lucky, Blackpink's members survived the grueling, multi-year preparation process until they were finally put into a group together. Executives introduced their perfected images to the world and, well, you know the rest.
In addition to offering insight into the women's backgrounds, Light Up the Sky features candid conversations with Blackpink's producer, Teddy Park. It shows the performers recording in the studio, discussing their joys and insecurities, and giving energetic performances on stage. They ponder their futures as they share a meal together in the final scene. The footage reveals the day-to-day realities of the stars' lives both in and out of the spotlight.
Image: netflix
The documentary is a K-pop crash course that speeds through the story almost as quickly as the popstars skyrocketed to fame after their debut.
The documentary is also a K-pop crash course that speeds through the story almost as quickly as the popstars skyrocketed to fame after their debut. Through focusing exclusively on the members of Blackpink, the doc dives deep into the fascinating industry that manufactures the idol image.
Light Up the Sky isn't a tell-all. Sure, we learn about Blackpink's origins, but they know how to show us only what they want us to see — the friendship, the magic, the hard work, the rags-to-riches stories. Yet the group's near-perfect appearance is part of what makes it — and the documentary — so interesting. It's more of a K-pop PR exposé than a deep dive into the members' lives.
Beneath the rosy presentation, the documentary still manages to offer a touching and humanizing look at the Blackpink stars. There's no doubt that the pop idols know what to say when they're asked a question, especially as the music darlings of YG Entertainment — they have a brand to uphold. But even within these limitations, they express how exhausting touring and prepping is; they wonder what it would have been like to have had a more normal teenage experience; they grapple with the realities of being thrust into stardom.
The little details — the personal ones — are what make Blackpink: Light Up the Sky both interesting and heartfelt. While Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa, and Rosé are shown experiencing the heights of glittering fame and success, the film reminds viewers that there are people beneath the pop stars. It's impossible to ignore the huge marketing advantage of a film like Light Up the Sky, but the way it thoughtfully exposes the frenzy of the super-produced K-pop industry makes it worth a watch.
Maybe you'll become a fan of Blackpink. Maybe you won't. Regardless, you're likely to be mesmerized by the group's distant, frenetic world that still finds a way to hit close to home.
Blackpink: Light Up the Sky is now streaming on Netflix.
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