BLACKPINK’s 10th Anniversary Meet-and-Greet Draws Backlash Over 40-Fan Cap, Lisa’s Absence

BLACKPINK is set to mark the 10th anniversary of its debut on Aug. 8, but the group’s upcoming anniversary meet-and-greet will not bring all four members together. According to Korean outlet MyDaily on Aug. 7, Jisoo (지수), Rosé and Jennie will attend the event, while Lisa has been confirmed absent because of a scheduling conflict, again sparking debate among fans.

YG Entertainment announced the 10th-anniversary event just two days before it was set to take place, drawing frustration from many fans. The venue and time were not disclosed until late, and detailed information was released at the last minute. What surprised fans even more was that the event, meant to commemorate the group’s 10th debut anniversary, would be open to only 40 fans.

YG also limited applications to members of BLACKPINK’s official fan platform and left the application window open for just 9 hours. Korean internet users described the entire event as something that looked “thrown together at the last minute,” citing the rushed preparation and questioning how much importance YG placed on BLACKPINK’s 10th anniversary.

YG had said in advance that only some members would attend because each member already had prior commitments. Jisoo, Rosé and Jennie were ultimately confirmed to appear, while Lisa will miss the event because of a scheduling conflict, meaning the 10th-anniversary gathering still will not allow fans to see the group as a “complete lineup.”

Korean media noted that BLACKPINK’s 10th debut anniversary date had long been set, yet YG announced the details in a rush only two days before the event, prompting heavy criticism. Although all four members have focused on individual careers in recent years and have busy schedules, they are understood to have tried to accommodate plans to meet fans as much as possible. Many fans therefore believe the chaotic planning was largely YG Entertainment’s responsibility.

After the news emerged, it quickly set off heated debate across major Korean forums, with users broadly split into several camps. Some criticized YG for preparing the event too hastily and making it too small. Many said the 10th anniversary was an important date known well in advance, yet the company announced the news only two days before the event, showing no sign of prior planning. “The 10th anniversary didn’t suddenly appear out of nowhere, did it?” one comment read. Another said, “The whole event looks like it was cobbled together at the last minute.” Many were also stunned that only 40 fans would be invited, writing, “For a group as popular as BLACKPINK, they’re only inviting 40 people? Isn’t that too shabby?” and “Jisoo’s solo birthday party once invited about 100 fans, but the group’s 10th anniversary only gets 40 people.”

Another group of users focused on Lisa’s absence, noting that Rosé was returning to Korea from the United States. “Lisa is in Thailand. Isn’t it closer for her to fly back?” one user wrote. Others said, “The 10th anniversary is so important that even if she has another schedule, she should try to clear it and attend,” “In the end, Lisa is the only one not coming. That’s really something ... Lisa fans will probably get furious again and start turning their anger toward the other members,” and “Wasn’t she photographed shopping just a few days ago ... She’s really going to get slammed for this. What is she thinking?” Some also said that if Lisa chose not to attend without a major work commitment, fans would inevitably feel disappointed.

Some users took a different view, saying YG certainly bears responsibility but the members themselves should also value the 10th anniversary. “Even YG groups that have already disbanded had anniversary events handled with more care than this,” one comment said. Another read, “If the company and the members really considered the 10th anniversary important, things wouldn’t have turned out like this.”

Many others said all four members now have highly successful individual careers, making scheduling naturally more difficult. “Everyone is doing so well individually. Time is money, so I can understand why it would be hard to coordinate schedules,” one user wrote. Another lamented, “It feels like everyone is focused on solo activities now, and the group only exists in name.” The incident has once again prompted discussion over BLACKPINK’s future group activities and YG’s management strategy.