The global music community was left in a state of both celebration and concern on January 26, 2026, as BLACKPINK concluded their massive “DEADLINE” world tour with a tearful finale in Hong Kong.
While the tour was an undeniable commercial success, the highly emotional nature of the members’ goodbyes—coupled with their individual career trajectories—has ignited widespread speculation regarding the group’s future.
Industry experts and fans alike are now questioning whether this marks a temporary hiatus or the beginning of the end for the world’s most successful female group.
BLACKPINK (Credit: YouTube)
A Tearful Goodbye in Hong Kong
The final show in Hong Kong was a display of raw emotion. All four members—Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa—were seen in tears during the encore, sharing long embraces on stage.
Rosé delivered a particularly moving closing speech, reflecting on their journey from trainees to global icons.
She spoke of the “hard times” and “celebratory moments,” emphasizing how much she would miss the unique atmosphere of performing as a group.
Her remark about “holding every moment in our hearts because we’ll miss this for a while” struck a chord with fans, many of whom interpreted the phrasing as a hint at an extended period of group inactivity.
The Independent Labels and the Group Contract Mystery
Much of the disbandment speculation stems from the group’s current management structure.
In December 2023, while all four members renewed their group contracts with YG Entertainment, they notably chose not to renew their individual contracts. Instead, each member has established her own path:
- Jennie founded Odd Atelier.
- Lisa launched LLOUD.
- Jisoo established Blissoo.
- Rosé signed with The Black Label, a subsidiary of YG.
While YG has confirmed the continuation of group activities, they have not disclosed the length of these renewed contracts.
Critics and industry insiders, including those cited by Forbes, have noted that the “DEADLINE” tour often felt like “four solo artists sharing a stage” due to the heavy emphasis on individual segments.
This shift in stage dynamic has led some to believe that the members are prioritizing their solo legacies over group harmony.
Significant Milestones on the Horizon
Despite the rumors, there are concrete plans that suggest BLACKPINK is not finished yet. The group is scheduled to release their third mini-album, also titled “DEADLINE,” on February 27, 2026.
This upcoming release will likely serve as a litmus test for the group’s future. Furthermore, August 2026 will mark BLACKPINK’s 10th anniversary, a major milestone in the K-pop industry.
Many believe that the group will hold a special anniversary concert or project this summer, which would provide the ultimate signal of their intended longevity.
Individual Success and the Path Forward
The past two years have seen unprecedented individual success for all four members. Rosé’s “APT.” has seen long-term chart success, Lisa has ventured into acting with HBO’s The White Lotus, Jennie has headlined major festivals like Coachella as a soloist, and Jisoo has completed successful solo tours and collaborations.
This individual growth has empowered the members but has also made scheduling group activities increasingly difficult.
For now, the K-pop world remains in a state of watchful waiting. Whether the tears in Hong Kong were purely celebratory or a sign of an impending transition, BLACKPINK’s impact on global culture remains unmatched.
The upcoming “DEADLINE” album and the 10th-anniversary celebrations in August will likely be the definitive factors in determining if the “Kings of K-pop” (female division) will continue to reign as a unified force.
In a historic moment for SEVENTEEN and its diversifying sub-units, Billboard officially announced on January 27, 2026, that the group’s newest powerhouse duo, DxS, has made their grand debut on the Billboard 200.
Comprised of vocal powerhouses DK and Seungkwan, the unit has successfully translated their immense domestic popularity into significant chart success in the United States.
Their debut mini-album, “Serenade,” has proven to be a global favorite, marking a new chapter for the duo as they establish a distinct musical identity separate from the full group’s activities.
Chart Performance and “Serenade’s” Success
According to Billboard’s rankings for the week ending January 31, 2026, “Serenade” entered the Billboard 200 at No. 195.
While the Billboard 200 tracks overall popularity across streaming and sales, the album’s performance in pure sales was even more impressive. “Serenade” debuted at No. 6 on both the Top Album Sales chart and the Top Current Album Sales chart.
This means that, for the week of its tracking period, DK and Seungkwan’s unit debut was the sixth best-selling album in the United States, outperforming many mainstream domestic releases.
Furthermore, the mini-album dominated the genre-specific charts, claiming the No. 3 spot on the World Albums chart.
This multi-chart presence underscores the strength of the SEVENTEEN brand in North America and the specific appeal of the DK-Seungkwan vocal combination.
Individual Recognition on the Emerging Artists Chart
The success of “Serenade” also translated into individual accolades for the two members. On Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart, which tracks the rise of developing talent in the U.S. market, both idols made significant entries.
DK debuted at No. 7, while Seungkwan followed closely behind at No. 8. This individual recognition is a testament to their star power and the high level of interest in their artistic growth beyond the collective identity of SEVENTEEN.
The Musical Identity of DxS
The unit name “DxS” is a straightforward representation of the two vocalists, but their music offers a deep, emotive experience.
“Serenade” focuses on showcasing the incredible vocal range and harmonic synergy that DK and Seungkwan have honed over a decade of performing together.
Known as the main vocalists of SEVENTEEN, the duo utilized this project to explore genres that highlight their storytelling capabilities and emotional delivery, moving away from high-energy dance tracks to more melodic and vocal-centric compositions.
Future Outlook and Global Impact
The Billboard debut of DxS is a clear indicator that SEVENTEEN’s strategy of promoting specialized units—such as BSS (BooSeokSoon) and now DxS—is highly effective in maintaining global momentum.
As the members continue to balance group activities with unique unit projects, they are reaching different segments of the music-listening public.
Fans, known as CARATs, have celebrated this achievement across social media, noting that the duo’s success on the U.S. charts is well-deserved after years of consistent hard work.
With “Serenade” continuing to perform well on various global charts and the duo participating in major domestic music shows like “M Countdown,” the future for DxS looks exceptionally bright.
This Billboard debut not only solidifies their personal legacies but also reinforces SEVENTEEN’s position as one of the most versatile and commercially successful acts in the modern music era.
