BLACKPINK’s Rosé has publicly apologized to BLINKs after the group’s 10th anniversary event in Seoul drew criticism, saying she was “deeply sorry” that a milestone meant for celebration may have left fans feeling “even more alone.”
Her message arrived in the wake of frustration over the scale and structure of the event, and followed a separate note from fellow member Jisoo, who also addressed the backlash and online speculation.
Rosé shared a detailed reflection on her official channel on Tuesday, three days after BLACKPINK marked ten years since its debut with an in-person gathering in Seoul.
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“I had a lot on my mind over the past few days, so I wasn’t able to write sooner,” Rosé said. “I think I was left with a lot of disappointment as we marked our 10th anniversary. It wasn’t because I couldn’t understand how our fans felt. If anything, I could relate to those feelings, and it took me some time to figure out where to begin.”
Acknowledging the delay in responding to fans, she expressed regret that her silence may have compounded their hurt.
“I feel heavyhearted because I think I made you feel even more alone in the meantime.”
A decade with BLINK, and a day that fell short
Rosé’s message centers on the intimate bond between BLACKPINK and BLINK, positioning the anniversary not just as a career milestone but as a shared coming-of-age story between artist and fandom.
“The 10 years that I’ve spent growing up alongside BLINK, cherishing one another and walking together, mean so much to me, and more than anything, I wanted us to celebrate together,” she said, referring to the group’s official fandom. “I wanted Aug. 8, at least, to be a day when all of us could smile and be happy, but things didn’t turn out the way I had hoped, and I’m deeply sorry.”
She went on to thank those who still showed up in person despite difficult conditions, highlighting the emotional impact of seeing fans again after a long stretch without such events.
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“I was so grateful, and overwhelmingly happy, that over these 10 years we have received so much love and built a relationship in which we can give love to one another,” she said, recalling the anniversary event.
According to Rosé, the full weight of the occasion only hit once she was alone, away from cameras and crowds.
“It wasn’t until I got home by myself that all those emotions suddenly came rushing in,” she said. “I’m sorry this message came a little late because I needed time to collect myself and couldn’t bring myself to speak about it more easily.”
She closed on a note that tries to reclaim the anniversary as part of a longer journey with BLINK, rather than a single imperfect day.
“It was supposed to be an anniversary for BLACKPINK, who have worked so hard for 10 years, and for BLINK, who have given us so much love,” she said. “Although all of us were left with some disappointment, I sincerely want to congratulate us once again. Let’s make many more wonderful memories together.”
Jisoo said she was sorry that BLACKPINK’s 10th anniversary had caused disappointment and that seeing BLINKs hurt made her feel heavyhearted.
“I have never forgotten that it was BLINK who made BLACKPINK shine until now,” she said. “Thank you for celebrating our 10th anniversary, and I am sorry once again for causing such disappointment.”
After fans speculated about why she cried during the event, Jisoo explained that she was moved by the group being together for 10 years and asked fans not to read too much into her tears.
She also pushed back against rumors of conflict between the members, saying that all four of them love BLINKs deeply. Jisoo urged fans to stop the “negative talk” and “endless speculation” surrounding the anniversary.
“I know it may be frustrating, but this was our 10th anniversary, something we should have celebrated together. More than anything, I hope there will be no more negative talk or baseless speculation that keeps snowballing,” she added.
A short, high-stakes celebration
The 10th anniversary event took place at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul’s Yongsan District on Saturday, a location that underscored BLACKPINK’s status as one of K-pop’s most globally visible groups.
Yet for many fans, the reality of the commemoration clashed with expectations. Online, BLINKs questioned the relatively small scale of the event, the lack of more extensive programming, and earlier uncertainty over whether all four members would attend.
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All four members ultimately appeared, but the main segment reportedly lasted only around 30 minutes. In the context of a decade-long career filled with world tours, brand ambassadorships, and record-breaking streaming numbers, the brevity of the anniversary program became a focal point of disappointment and debate.
The reaction reflects a broader conversation within K-pop fandoms about how major milestones should be marked, especially for acts that have come to symbolize the global rise of Korean pop culture.
Jisoo also addressed fans after the event, particularly responding to discussions that erupted around a moment when she was seen crying while reading letters from BLINKs. Clips of her emotional reaction circulated widely, spawning theories about what might have prompted her tears.
In a follow-up message, Jisoo pushed back against the narratives forming online and tried to redirect attention to the meaning of the anniversary itself.
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“I know it may be frustrating, but this was our 10th anniversary, something we should have celebrated together. More than anything, I hope there will be no more negative talk or baseless speculation that keeps snowballing.”
Her appeal points to the delicate balance idols must navigate: acknowledging fan frustrations while trying to prevent rumor cycles from overtaking the original purpose of an event.
