BlackPink: Light Up the Sky is a documentary directed by Caroline Suh (Salt Fat Acid Heat). This is the group’s first documentary as well as Netflix’s first K-pop original content.
Have you heard of BlackPink? The South Korea girl group that’s basically blowing up the internet? Even if you don’t think you have, you probably have, because they’re all over the place. They’ve collaborated with big name American artists like Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, Dua Lipa, and most recently, Cardi B.
BlackPink: Light Up the Sky follows the group (Jisoo, Rosé, Jennie and Lisa) through their rise to fame and contains interviews with each member talking about their past – their time before becoming trainees, their time as trainees, and their journey together. We also get to hear from some of the people who work closest with them, make-up artists, producers, trainers, etc.
Each member gets their time to talk about their experience as an idol trainee. While fame is great, it comes at a price. Most fans never think about the cost of fame for these women while watching these talented, happy women on the screen. Idols begin training at a young age; they train for years before they actually debut. Countless hours of singing, dancing, practice practice practice. In this documentary, the members are able to convey all the stress and loneliness they experienced but also how happy they are to be part of what they are now – a global sensation bringing countless people music to love.
Despite the value in giving fans this uncommon look behind the scenes at a pop phenomenon, the film never went far enough in providing live concert footage of different songs. The clips from concerts were very short and were mostly the same song repeated during different performances.
Otherwise, if you’re a music fan, especially a K-pop and/or BlackPink fan, then this documentary is for you!
