The Return of the Queens
After nearly two years of anticipation, BLACKPINK made their triumphant comeback on August 19, 2022, with the explosive pre-release single 〈Pink Venom〉, leading up to their second studio album Born Pink.
From the first note, the song declared one thing with confidence — BLACKPINK is back, stronger and bolder than ever.
It was not just a return; it was a statement of dominance, artistry, and cultural power.
With Pink Venom, BLACKPINK blended traditional Korean sounds, modern hip-hop, and cutting-edge pop, crafting a sonic identity that no one else could replicate.
The Release: A Global Event
When Pink Venom dropped, it wasn’t merely a song release — it was a global cultural moment.
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YouTube Record: 90.4 million views in the first 24 hours, becoming the biggest 2022 music video debut.
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Spotify Performance: Surpassed 10 million streams on its first day, the highest ever for a female K-POP act at that time.
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Billboard Charts: Debuted at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 — BLACKPINK’s highest position for a Korean-language song.
Every platform, every region, and every fanbase united around one sound — Pink Venom.
Musical Brilliance: The Bite Behind the Beauty
The genius of Pink Venom lies in its ability to merge opposites — sweetness and danger, tradition and innovation, elegance and aggression.
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Opening: The haunting geomungo (Korean zither) intro immediately captures attention, grounding the song in its cultural roots.
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Rap Verses: Jennie and Lisa deliver dynamic rap verses inspired by early 2000s hip-hop, even referencing legends like Rihanna and Notorious B.I.G.
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Chorus: The unforgettable hook “Taste that pink venom” embodies contradiction — beauty that bites, allure that stings.
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Bridge: Rosé and Jisoo elevate the track with soaring vocals, expressing power and mystery in equal measure.
The result? A song that feels like BLACKPINK distilled into pure sound — fierce, seductive, and unmistakably theirs.
Visual Identity: Tradition Meets the Future
The Pink Venom music video is a visual masterpiece that fuses Korean heritage with futuristic imagery.
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Jennie’s Black Hanbok Scene: A powerful reinterpretation of tradition, blending elegance with rebellion.
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Lisa’s Desert Arena: Evoking confidence and wild freedom — a warrior queen in motion.
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Rosé’s Flooded Room: Symbolizing depth, emotion, and the chaos of fame.
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Jisoo’s Lotus Chamber: A vision of rebirth and purity, surrounded by symbols of Korean artistry.
Visually, Pink Venom redefined how cultural identity could merge with global pop appeal. Every frame exudes power, femininity, and aesthetic perfection.
Performance: The Stage Becomes Their Kingdom
From the 2022 MTV VMAs to their Born Pink World Tour, Pink Venom became an emblem of BLACKPINK’s reign.
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Signature Move: The sharp arm-swipe gesture during “Taste that pink venom” became an instant fan favorite.
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Stage Adaptations: Traditional instruments and live drums were often added during performances, creating a sense of ritual and spectacle.
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Global Impact: The song became a key highlight of BLACKPINK’s Coachella 2023 set, proving their unmatched global draw.
With Pink Venom, BLACKPINK didn’t just perform — they ruled the stage.
Global Reception: The World Tastes the Venom
The song’s release sent shockwaves across the world.
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Critical Praise: Media outlets hailed it as “genre-bending perfection” and “a sonic declaration of dominance.”
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Fan Impact: BLINKs celebrated it as the perfect blend of BLACKPINK’s two identities — soft elegance and lethal charisma.
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Cultural Buzz: The phrase “Pink Venom” became a viral expression of confidence, beauty, and rebellion.
It wasn’t just a song — it was a global mood.
Cultural Significance: The Art of Duality
Pink Venom is more than a pop track — it’s an artistic statement about duality and identity.
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Message: Beauty can be powerful. Femininity can be fierce.
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Innovation: The fusion of Korean traditional elements with global pop redefined what K-POP could sound and look like.
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Legacy: The song solidified BLACKPINK’s reputation as cultural trendsetters — artists who lead, not follow.
This was the sound of a group that fully understood its place in history — and wasn’t afraid to evolve.
🎧 Listen to the Hit
Feel the venom, taste the power:
▶ Open in New Window (YouTube)
Turn it up. Let the bite of Pink Venom remind you why BLACKPINK reigns supreme.
Wrap-up: The Sound of Evolution
Pink Venom marked a turning point in BLACKPINK’s musical journey. It was the sound of confidence — of artists no longer proving themselves, but owning their legacy.
As the sixth chapter in our Music Masterpiece Series, this song represents BLACKPINK’s mastery of duality —
sweet yet sharp, elegant yet deadly, traditional yet futuristic.
Next in this series: Music Masterpiece Series #7 – Shut Down: The Crown of Confidence.
