BLACKPINK is partnering with the National Museum of Korea in Seoul to celebrate the release of their new EP, “Deadline,” on February 27th. This collaboration marks the first time a K-pop group has launched a large-scale project with the national museum.
The “National Museum of Korea X BLACKPINK” initiative begins on February 26th and will run for 11 days, in collaboration with the museum and Spotify, according to YG Entertainment, BLACKPINK’s agency.
“Deadline” represents the group’s first full-group release in three years and five months since “Born Pink” in September 2022.
BLACKPINK members will provide voice commentary on eight of the museum’s key artifacts, offering visitors insights into Korea’s historical treasures through their narration.
The National Museum of Korea will be illuminated in BLACKPINK’s signature pink color to commemorate the EP’s release.
A listening session featuring all the tracks from “Deadline” will take place on February 26th, the day before the official release, in front of the digital reproduction of the Gwanggaeto Stele, situated in the museum’s main corridor, the “path of history.” The Gwanggaeto Stele, a memorial for the 19th monarch of Goguryeo (37 B.C.-A.D. 668), is a significant national heritage item.
Reservations via Naver are required for the pre-release listening event, with specific time slots reserved for Spotify Premium users. Following the album’s release, the listening session will be open to the public during the museum’s regular operating hours.
In related news, BTS has selected Gwanghwamun Square, a prominent Seoul landmark, for a free concert on March 21st to celebrate the release of their fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” named after the famous Korean folk song.
BigHit Music, BTS’s agency, stated that Gwanghwamun Square was chosen due to its symbolic significance aligning with the album’s title. The performance is anticipated to blend Korean traditional heritage with cutting-edge stage production.
Sources suggest the concert will begin inside Gyeongbok Palace, proceed through Gwanghwamun Gate and the “woldae,” a traditional ceremonial stage in front of the gate, before reaching the main stage at the northern end of the square. It is currently undecided whether the procession will be performed live or pre-recorded.
BTS previously utilized Geunjeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion of Gyeongbok Palace as backdrops for a special “BTS Week” segment on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in 2020.
Police estimate that approximately 260,000 fans might gather in Gwanghwamun Square and the surrounding areas, although the concert venue itself will only accommodate around 15,000 ticket holders.
The BTS concert will be streamed live on Netflix to over 190 countries, providing a global audience with a glimpse of Korean cultural heritage alongside the group’s performance.
Cultural critic Jung Duk-hyun commented that the initiatives by BTS and BLACKPINK could have a substantial impact beyond the realm of music.
“Presenting traditional culture solely through promotional materials might face resistance,” he stated. “However, when beloved artists introduce it naturally, the effect can be considerably more significant. Every action these artists take now contributes to K-culture.”
