For ten days, the National Museum of Korea will glow in pink, marking a rare convergence of one of the country’s most iconic cultural landmarks and one of K-pop’s most powerful global forces.
Under the project title “NMK X BLACKPINK,” BLACKPINK’s agency YG Entertainment and the museum are hosting a special collaboration event from Feb. 27 to March 8.
Last year, the museum drew global attention with merchandise and exhibition spaces incorporating traditional Korean elements—such as the tiger featured in the Netflix animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters. This time, it partners with BLACKPINK, one of K-pop’s most prominent stars, marking another meaningful milestone. Designed to expand the museum’s global outreach, the collaboration is expected to become a unique cultural event that bridges Korea’s heritage with contemporary K-pop.
On Thursday, a day ahead of BLACKPINK’s comeback, a special pre-listening event was held. From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., six sessions of 30 minutes each allowed a total of 300 fans—50 per session—to preview the group’s new song.
Stepping out of Ichon Station on Seoul Subway Line 4, visitors are immediately greeted by the museum glowing in pink. The outdoor lighting event illuminates the museum’s Open Plaza and exterior spaces in BLACKPINK’s signature color. Until March 8, between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., anyone visiting the museum can freely enjoy the display.
“BLACKPINK has received immense love from fans worldwide through their music,“ a representative from YG Entertainment said. ”Through this collaboration, we hope to communicate not only through music but also through Korea’s unique cultural heritage.”
At the scene, Herald Muse met members of BLACKPINK’s fandom, BLINK, who arrived brimming with excitement to hear the new track as soon as possible. Fans who received limited-edition postcards featuring artifacts introduced by BLACKPINK alongside photos of the members took commemorative photos against the pink-lit museum façade, holding up their favorite members’ photo cards and BLACKPINK light sticks.
Oh Da-young, a woman in her 20s who described herself as a long-time fan, said with a bright smile, “I’m so happy. I never have this kind of luck, so I didn’t expect to win. I even joked that if I got selected, I’d headbang in front of the Gwanggaeto Stele. I came here trembling with excitement.”
After listening to the first session, she added emotionally, “Hearing my precious unnis’ (a Korean word meaning “older sister,” commonly used by younger women to express closeness) song first was so overwhelming it almost brought me to tears.”
Following the museum’s closing at 7 p.m., media representatives were also invited to a private preview session. Entering the museum’s “Path of History” exhibition space, a long carpet reading “BLACKPINK WILL MAKE YOU” stretched inward. At the end of the walkway, a circular installation bearing the group’s name appeared in the main lobby.
Centered around the LED pillar where the Gwanggaeto Stele is typically displayed, dazzling holographic visuals unfolded in sync with BLACKPINK’s new track. From grid patterns to pink lasers shifting with the beat, the immersive video display delivered an exhilarating sensory experience.
The hologram presentation, however, was prepared exclusively for the pre-event and will be operated differently starting February 27. Listening booths have been installed where visitors can hear all five tracks—from the pre-release single “JUMP,” unveiled last July, to the title track “GO,” as well as “Me and My,” “Champion,” and “Fxxxboy.” Additional individual booths equipped with headphones allow visitors to listen to each song separately.
Visitors can also enjoy special audio docent guides recorded by the members. By locating eight representative artifacts placed throughout the museum, guests can hear the members’ commentary: Jisoo and Jennie in Korean, Rosé in English, and Lisa in Thai.
Reported by Herald Muse Staff Writer Park Seo-hyun
Reviewed and edited by Herald Muse Team Leader Kim Hae-yeon
pshyun@heraldcorp.com
