See BLACKPINK’s Best Throwback Photos as a Rookie K-Pop Girl Group

As BLACKPINK member Jennie drops her debut album ‘Ruby,’ look back at her best throwback photos with Rosé, Jisoo and Lisa in the K-pop girl group

BLACKPINK has come a long way since their 2016 debut.

The four members of the K-pop girl group, Jisoo, Lisa, Jennie and Rosé, burst onto the scene with their song “Boombayah” in August 2016. They quickly became one of the most successful girl groups of all time with 40 billion total streams, the highest-grossing concert tour by a female group and a Coachella headliner spot.

After their exclusive contract with YG Entertainment ended in 2023, all four members looked to start their solo careers — though they still intend to release music as a group and tour. Rosé became the first member to drop her solo album in December 2024 with Rosie, featuring the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit “APT.” with Bruno Mars. In February 2025, Jisoo released her first EP Amortage, while Lisa made her acting debut in The White Lotus season 3 and released her first album Alter Ego.

As Jennie rounds out BLACKPINK’s string of solo music with Ruby on March 7, see 10 throwback photos of the superstar girl group, dating back to before their debut.

Training Season

Their Netflix documentary Blackpink: Light Up the Sky showed the years of hard work they dedicated to becoming idols, with preparations for their debut beginning in 2011.

Vroom Vroom

They made a lasting impression with their bombastic first single, “Boombayah,” on Aug. 8, 2016. The song coined their signature chant: “Blackpink in your area.”

Early Award Shows

Even early in their careers, the ladies were naturals on the red carpet, appearing at Korean award ceremonies and fashion shows.

Four in a Row

The four members each developed their own sense of style, and brand sponsorships flocked to each of them — including Celine, Chanel, Saint Laurent and Dior.

In L-O-V-E

With earworms like “As If It’s Your Last” in their discography and lush music videos, it’s no wonder BLACKPINK is the most-followed girl group on Spotify and the most-subscribed music artist on YouTube.

Born to Perform

Their charisma and style translated to the stage too. After drawing a massive crowd in their 2019 Coachella performance, they were invited back as headliners four years later.

Hearts All Around

Over the years, each member has rocked different haircuts and colors, from bleach blonde to pink and red.

Final Pose

After more than a decade of training, living and performing with one another, they feel like “family.”

“We know so much about each other that there are no more surprises,” the group told British Vogue in 2020.

‘Pop’ Stars

BLACKPINK became one of the first K-pop groups to cross over to mainstream Western music, and they have landed collaborations with the likes of Dua Lipa, Selena Gomez and Cardi B.

Comfort Crowd

The attendance for their first Japan arena tour in 2018 was approximately 125,000 across eight shows — and the stages would only get bigger.