BLACKPINK has officially returned as a full group with the release of their third mini album EXPIRATION on February 27 at 2pm KST, marking their first comeback as a full group in three years and five months.
The highly anticipated release follows the group’s massive global tour, which began in 2025 and further expanded their international presence. With EXPIRATIONBLACKPINK aims to once again consolidate its position at the top of the global music industry.
A bold new chapter
According to YG Entertainment, the album captures “BLACKPINK’s most unforgettable moments that can’t be taken back, and the group at its most radiant in the present.” The five-track project showcases a range of musical genres and styles, highlighting the group’s continued artistic evolution.
The title track “GO” delivers the group’s signature confidence and high-energy sound, blending powerful instrumentals with a gripping hook. The singing “Blackpink will make you” emphasizes themes of courage and unity.
Other tracks on the album include the pre-release single Hardstyle EDM “JUMP,” retro hip-hop inspired “I and mine” uplifting hymn “Sample,” and the emotionally driven “Damn boy.”
Cultural collaboration with the National Museum of Korea
Ahead of the album’s release, BLACKPINK collaborated with the National Museum of Korea for a special project titled “NMK The collaboration marked the museum’s first-ever partnership with external intellectual property.
The museum hosted a pre-release listening session featuring all five new tracks. In a symbolic fusion of K-pop and cultural heritage, the members also recorded multilingual audio guides (Korean, English and Thai) for eight national treasures, offering commentary on historical finds.
The large-scale pink-themed installation at the museum attracted a lot of attention, creating a stunning visual spectacle ahead of the return.
Global media attention
Major international media outlets, including Billboard, Rolling Stone and NME, have been closely following BLACKPINK’s comeback. Billboard described the teaser images as “sensory” AND “irresistible,” raising expectations for the new era of the group.
BLACKPINK has already made history with their second album BORN PINKwhich topped both the Billboard 200 and the Official UK Albums Chart. The group also achieved double million-seller status and attracted 1.8 million attendees during a single tour, setting multiple records for a K-pop girl group.
Additionally, the group recently became the first artist globally to surpass 100 million subscribers on YouTube, cementing their immense digital influence.
Market response: YG stock surges
The return has already had a measurable financial impact. As a result, YG Entertainment shares rose more than 8% in early trading on February 27 investor optimism regarding the group’s performance.
Affiliate YG Plus also reported strong annual results, recording approximately KRW 236 billion in revenue and KRW 32.3 billion in operating profit for the previous year. The company attributed much of the growth to merchandise sales from BLACKPINK’s world tour.
With EXPIRATIONBLACKPINK not only marks a long-awaited reunion, but also marks another ambitious chapter in its global dominance. Industry observers are watching closely to see if the group can once again reshape the international pop landscape.
Sources: Daum | MBC entertainment
