Nothing in the K-Pop industry is left to chance, and that includes names. A group’s name is carefully discussed and adjusted so that it means something particularly relevant to the group’s own concept or so that it looks unique enough to immediately get the public’s attention.
And that same care is put into picking the name that will identify that group’s fandom and fans—because while with most Western artists it is the fans who pick their own name, in K-Pop, the name gets decided by the group’s company. More often than not, the announcement of the fandom name comes a bit after a group’s official debut. This happens in what might be called a proper “naming ceremony”—and that is usually teased on social media and then performed by the group’s members themselves.
It makes it all a lot more “official”, in a way—fueling that ever-important parasocial relationship between idols and fans. It also allows the company to have more control, both in merchandise and storytelling. That’s because a fandom’s name will usually compliment the group’s name and concept in some ways—think ONCEs for TWICE, ATINYs for ATEEZ, or PINK PANDAs for APINK, or ARMYs for BTS. You get the idea.
What is the BLACKPINK fandom’s name?
BLACKPINK is one of the so-called “three big girl groups” of the 3rd generation of K-Pop and an overall massive worldwide success. Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa famously got their name—after a brief period during their trainee years where they were supposed to be called PINKPUNK—because the group was meant to contrast a tougher, cooler “black” side with a girlier, cuter “pink” side.
And that still holds true today, somewhat, even though their career has seen them lean more into what would be considered “black” songs.
If BLACKPINK’s name is meant to represent their concept, their fandom name is meant to be strictly tied to BLACKPINK itself. Fans of the four girls are called BLINKs—a name that puts together the first two letters and the final three letters of the group’s name.
It also has the advantage of being a pretty name that rolls off the tongue easily, no matter which language you’re speaking—something that can definitely come in handy when you’re a global superstar and your fans are spread out on pretty much every continent.
The bond between BLACKPINK and BLINKs is obviously powerful, but while there are many events —both online and offline—aimed specifically at fans, BLINKs never get mentioned by name in BLACKPINK’s songs. That’s also pretty much the standard in K-Pop— but there’s one notable exception for BLINKs.
During their online concert THE SHOW, back in 2021, Jennie performed her solo debut SOLO with a new arrangement and a new rap, which she wrote herself—and that finishes off with “solo, but I got many I could thank / You could see it in my eyes like every time I blink“. That’s definitely a homage if I ever heard one.
(featured image: YG Entertainment)
