Blackpink members' divergent responses to 10th anniversary controversy

While fans' disappointment surrounding Blackpink's 10th debut anniversary shows no signs of subsiding, the members' differing ways of responding to the situation are drawing further attention. While Jisoo and Rosé directly conveyed their apologies to fans, Lisa has shared updates from her travels without a separate official statement, creating a noticeable difference in sentiment among fans.

Blackpink marked their 10th debut anniversary on the 8th. To celebrate, a fan meeting was held at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, but fans expressed great disappointment as the event was announced only two days in advance and attendance was limited to just 40 people. Critics pointed out that compared to the symbolic moment of a 10th anniversary, the venue and scale for being with fans were excessively small.

Jisoo was the first to soothe the fans' hearts following the controversy. During a live broadcast with the members, Jisoo expressed understanding of the fans' disappointment, saying, "We also wanted to meet more people." She followed up with a direct apology, stating, "There seems to have been a problem with our communication," and even shed tears as if overcome with emotion.

Rosé also left a long message for fans, albeit a bit later. On the 11th, via a fan communication platform, she explained why she had struggled to write easily, saying, "I have had a lot on my mind over the past few days." She expressed her regret, noting that she wanted to spend a happy, smiling time with fans on the 10th anniversary day, but things did not go as planned.

In particular, Rosé directly addressed the disappointment regarding the event, stating that while she was "truly happy to see everyone after such a long time," she also felt "sorry again."

The issue lies in Lisa's actions at that time.

While Lisa also expressed gratitude and affection to fans on the 10th anniversary day, she offered no separate explanation or apology regarding the disappointment surrounding the fan meeting. Instead, on the same day, she posted photos on her SNS that appeared to be taken during a trip to the United States.

The photos, posted with the caption "Red rock therapy," captured Lisa spending leisure time against a backdrop of red rock formations and a yacht. Attention from fans intensified as the timing of these photos coincided with the day Rosé was conveying her apologies to fans.

The location shown in the photos, Antelope Canyon, differs from typical free-roaming tourist spots. It is known to be located in the Navajo Nation and must be visited through authorized guided tours, making it a destination that requires some prior planning.

However, there is a clear distinction to be made. It has not been disclosed exactly when Lisa took those photos. Therefore, it is unreasonable to conclude that Lisa left for her trip immediately after the 10th anniversary event or that she prioritized her personal travel over the 10th anniversary with fans simply because she posted photos on the 11th.

Nevertheless, the controversy ultimately stems from the difference in the timing of the posts and the tone of communication, rather than the "authenticity of the photos."

Fans viewed the 10th anniversary event not just as a simple event, but as a symbolic moment to celebrate the past 10 years spent with Blackpink. As such, Jisoo shared her emotions through tears, and Rosé through a long written message, to the fans who were disappointed by the scale and management of the event. In contrast, Lisa posted routine travel content without any separate explanation.

In the same situation, one member chose to apologize, another chose to explain, and another chose to continue with her daily life.

Of course, each member's way of communicating with fans may differ. It cannot be overlooked that Lisa expressed her gratitude to fans on the day of the 10th anniversary. Therefore, concluding that Lisa did not consider the fans or making an issue out of the travel photos themselves could be an excessive interpretation.

However, it is clear that in a community like a fandom, silence can also be read as a message. This is especially true when it occurs immediately after other members have actively responded to the fans' disappointment.

Ultimately, this controversy began with dissatisfaction regarding the event management—asking why the 10th anniversary fan meeting was conducted so small-scale and hastily—but has now spread to a comparison of the members' response styles.

For fans who have spent 10 years together, a flashy celebratory event is not the only important thing. Sometimes, a short phrase like "We are sorry too" can be a greater comfort than a perfectly prepared stage. Conversely, a single ordinary photo with no ill intent can be received with an entirely different meaning depending on the context in which it is placed.

In the end, the task left for Blackpink is less about how to hold a 10th-anniversary event and more about how to read and respond to the expectations and disappointments of their fans. For those who have shared a decade together, what fans need most may be the assurance that their feelings are truly being heard, rather than a grand spectacle.