Nino Vongphachanh is a Casting Director and aspiring TV Writer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. Nino’s background in casting gives him an adoration for watching and reviewing performances, so journalism is another medium that allows him to voice his enthusiasm to a wider audience. Nino strives to enlighten to world of the importance of diversity on screen with his work, which aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s mission to be the most influential and progressive global entertainment network. Nino enjoys being up-to-date with all current events and trends, helping him create a fresh perspective on the topics he writes about. Keeping an open mind with the goal of promoting awareness in film and television, Nino writes passionately about projects he believes advance the world artistically and culturally.
Nov 18, 2022
Photo: BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK, the K-pop superstar quartet that has earned the title of the “World’s Biggest Girl Group”, has released their long-awaited second studio album following a two-year hiatus. With the cancelation of a world tour planned for their debut album released in 2020 due to COVID-19, BLACKPINK worked on expanding their fanbase online through virtual concerts and premiering two of their member’s solo projects. During the pandemic, BLACKPINK gained lots of new fans in the growing curiosity of K-pop. Now, old and new fans of the group have the opportunity to see Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa on stage performing their biggest hits and the songs off their recently released (and long-awaited) album. BLACKPINK kicked off their world tour, ‘BORN PINK’ in October, titled after the critically acclaimed album. Beginning in Seoul, the superstar girl group touched down in North America back on October 25, 2022. Having worked their way through Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, and Hamilton,
In the midst of their world tour, BLACKPINK has concluded their stay in the midwest of the United States with their back-to-back performances in Chicago’s United Center on the 10th and 11th of November. At this point, they have reached the halfway point of the North American portion of their tour, as they plan to take their tour to Europe and Asia after just four more concerts, two of those being in Newark and the final two taking place in Los Angeles. Those that are contemplating purchasing tickets to attend one of their stadium concerts may be deliberating based on the viral videos on TikTok and Twitter criticizing the group’s performances. Opposing the online haters are the lucky attendees of the tour who give a resounding appraisal of the performance quality and the explosive energy from the concerts. If anyone has any hesitation on purchasing tickets, whether it is from price or fear of a lackluster performance, BLINKS (BLACKPINK’s fanbase) that have attended the tour so far collectively agree that it is worth the money and there will be no disappointments.
BLACKPINK Brings the Energy with a Crowd-Pleasing Setlist
Luckily for all the fans of BLACKPINK’s global chart-topping hits, they can expect their favorite songs from their discography to be on the setlist (as long as your favorite song is not ‘BOOMBAYAH’). From their debut single, ‘WHISTLE’, to their most recent single, ‘Shut Down’, to even the songs that are a little bit more lowkey such as ‘STAY’ and ‘FOREVER YOUNG’, there is no doubt that anyone that likes BLACKPINK will not enjoy the tracks chosen for the tour. In addition to BLACKPINK tracks, the girls each get their own moment to shine with a solo performance designated for each member. Jisoo shows off her elegance by covering a Camilo Cabello song with an original dance sequence. Jennie brings her energy and amazing visuals previewing an unreleased track thought to be titled ‘YOU & ME’. Rosé blesses the crowd with her solo track off the ‘BORN PINK’ album, ‘Hard to Love’, and the title track, ‘On The Ground’, off her solo album. Lastly, Lisa gives a groundbreaking performance showing off her pole dancing skills that blend into two tracks off her solo album, ‘LALISA’, showing off what makes her a respectable contender for the best female dancer in K-pop. Whether you’re a fan of any of the members or all four of them, attendees can expect an impressive stage performance from each of the members.
Aside from the performance of BLACKPINK themselves, BLINKS helps bring out the astounding forceful energy that overpowers many other audiences outside of K-pop. From the unison created with the signature pink-lit lightsticks that create a black and pink field of light, to the incomparable cheering and screams that raise the energy to outstanding levels, there was no lacking in the audience’s presence. Anyone that attends does not have to worry about feeling like the only person knowing the music and loves every second of it.
This May Be a Once in a Lifetime Opportunity | Ignore the Haters and Grab a Ticket!
There has been lots of debate and speculation on the future of BLACKPINK. As the end of BLACKPINK’s contract approaches (mid-2023), many are left in the dark about whether the four members will decide to renew their contracts for another seven years or disband. A few BLINKS have been outspoken with their assurance that BLACKPINK has already confirmed their contract renewal, but not many credible sources can be found to double down on this. With that being said, this is possibly the last time that fans around the world may be able to see BLACKPINK live. In the worst-case scenario for BLINKS, Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa could decide to disband once the world tour is over and it could be the end of BLACKPINK at the end of this tour.
If anyone has been on TikTok or Twitter and kept up with the K-pop community on the apps, they may have seen some short videos pointing out some flaws criticizing BLACKPINK’s ability to deliver a solid performance. The best advice as an actual attendee of the concert is that people cannot judge an entire concert off of a clip showcasing a couple of seconds. Videos don’t capture the true energy that exudes from a live performance being surrounded by the loud music, seeing the idols in person, and the amazing stage presence from BLACKPINK and the crowd. It seems that the BLACKPINK girls have also sharpened their performance since the viral videos labeling their first concert in Seoul as “a mess”. From what was seen in person, the BLACKPINK girls weren’t at all close to what haters have branded them to be online. It was truly one of the best and most energetic live performances.
BLACKPINK’s North American portion of their ‘BORN PINK’ tour will stop in Los Angeles, CA on November 19 and 20. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster for resale.
By Nino Vongphachanh
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
Nino Vongphachanh is a Casting Director and aspiring TV Writer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. Nino’s background in casting gives him an adoration for watching and reviewing performances, so journalism is another medium that allows him to voice his enthusiasm to a wider audience. Nino strives to enlighten to world of the importance of diversity on screen with his work, which aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s mission to be the most influential and progressive global entertainment network. Nino enjoys being up-to-date with all current events and trends, helping him create a fresh perspective on the topics he writes about. Keeping an open mind with the goal of promoting awareness in film and television, Nino writes passionately about projects he believes advance the world artistically and culturally.
Nino Vongphachanh is a Casting Director and aspiring TV Writer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. Nino’s background in casting gives him an adoration for watching and reviewing performances, so journalism is another medium that allows him to voice his enthusiasm to a wider audience. Nino strives to enlighten to world of the importance of diversity on screen with his work, which aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s mission to be the most influential and progressive global entertainment network. Nino enjoys being up-to-date with all current events and trends, helping him create a fresh perspective on the topics he writes about. Keeping an open mind with the goal of promoting awareness in film and television, Nino writes passionately about projects he believes advance the world artistically and culturally.
Nino Vongphachanh is a Casting Director and aspiring TV Writer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. Nino’s background in casting gives him an adoration for watching and reviewing performances, so journalism is another medium that allows him to voice his enthusiasm to a wider audience. Nino strives to enlighten to world of the importance of diversity on screen with his work, which aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s mission to be the most influential and progressive global entertainment network. Nino enjoys being up-to-date with all current events and trends, helping him create a fresh perspective on the topics he writes about. Keeping an open mind with the goal of promoting awareness in film and television, Nino writes passionately about projects he believes advance the world artistically and culturally.
