BLACKPINK ‘Born Pink’ Hits & Beloved K-Pop Classics ‘Shut Down’ Newark’s Prudential Center

The last time BLACKPINK performed at Newark’s Prudential Center was in August, when the K-pop group took the stage at the VMAs to perform their sizzling Born Pink hit “Pink Venom,” which also served as the group’s live debut of the track and their first time performing at an American awards show. Though the girl group dominated the show, members Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé admitted during their Born Pink tour stop at Prudential on Nov. 14 that they were nervous to be back. It was difficult to believe based on their performance.

Blinks knew exactly which track the quartet was opening with and buzzed with energy and excitement the moment the group’s iconic “BLACKPINK in your area” tag and establishing horns blared through speakers. BLACKPINK’s personal statement, “How You Like That,” kicked off the set, with the group expertly hitting the song’s memorable choreography with the help of female backup dancers. The first song served as BLACKPINK’s formal entrance, and it concluded with larger-than-life stage fireworks — all in pink, of course — and streamers, as if to say “we’re here.”

The hits didn’t stop there — the concert’s first act catered to fans of their high-energy songs, from The Album’s fan favourites “Pretty Savage” and “Lovesick Girls” to equally pumped-up performances of “Don’t Know What To Do” from the Kill This Love EP and the group’s sizzling-yet-sparsely produced debut single “Whistle.” BLACKPINK continued to experiment with pyrotechnics in the second and third acts of the show, with more fireworks and, at times, actual fire onstage by the time “Kill This Love” and “Playing With Fire” appeared on the setlist. The songs “Pink Venom,” “Shut Down,” “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” and “Typa Girl” followed.

BLACKPINK fans who have seen the group perform live or on video know that the girls split their concerts in half, with the second half featuring individual performances from each member of the group, and last night’s performance at the Prudential Center was no exception.

Jisoo took the stage first, performing a solo cover of Camila Cabello’s 2019 track “Liar,” which was a perfect complement to her unique vocal tone, while strutting down the runway stage and performing sultry dance moves with the help of the group’s background dancers. Jennie, who frequently performed her solo debut track “Solo” in previous BLACKPINK concerts, did not go for the obvious choice this time, instead giving fans a taste of a potential new solo track (fans are calling “You & Me,” though no official title has yet been announced), which saw her perform equal parts intricate and elegant dance moves with a male dancer, and highlighted her magnetic energy. Meanwhile, Rosé had plenty of solo material to choose from, but she went with Born Pink solo cut “Hard to Love” and R single “On the Ground.” When it came time for Lisa to perform her solo hits “Lalisa” and “Money,” Blinks in the audience performed the tracks’ moves, sometimes alongside her backup dancers on stage.

During the encore, one of the show’s sweetest moments occurred. The girls returned looking cosy in sweatshirts, hoodies, and tees from their merch line, and stripped back their larger-than-life stage personas to goof around and make unchoreographed dances and cute faces with each other while singing “Yeah Yeah Yeah.” Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé took a picture with the entire stadium before the show ended, prompting the Blinks in attendance to wave their lightsticks and throw up K-pop finger hearts for the camera.

BLACKPINK’s Born Pink tour demonstrates that, despite being a top global act, Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé retain the loving charm that has earned them such a devoted fanbase. But don’t be fooled by their sweetness; their talent and star power have the ability to “shut down” almost any arena the moment they decide to turn it on.

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