Jisoo of BLACKPINK has repeatedly expressed her love for Blink. She wrote on X (Twitter), “I love Blink.” After her victory on Inkigayo in 2023, she shared once again, “Oh my goodness?? I accidentally saw this, I love Blink.”
In K-pop, nearly every solo idol establishes a personal fandom to solidify their identity. However, Jisoo has taken a different path, staying loyal to Blink—the shared fandom of BLACKPINK—rather than creating her own. Is this a heartfelt decision, or a strategic move with hidden risks?
Personal Fandom – A Must-Have for Solo Idols?
For years, personal fandoms have been more than just names—they are the backbone of an idol’s solo career. Not only do they establish individuality, but they also serve as a key driver of album sales, concerts, merchandise, and brand deals.
Real-World Examples:
- Jennie – Jensetters, Lisa – Lilies, Rosé – Roses: The other BLACKPINK members all have their own fandoms, ensuring they remain relevant even when group activities slow down.
- G-Dragon (BIGBANG) has VIP, Taeyeon (SNSD) has SONE, Baekhyun (EXO) has Eris: These fandoms have played a crucial role in sustaining their long-term success.
According to KOCCA (2023), over 80% of a solo idol’s revenue comes from their personal fandom, through album sales, concerts, merchandise, and endorsements.
Yet, Jisoo has taken a different route. But why?
Why Doesn’t Jisoo Have a Personal Fandom?
🌸 Personal Sentiment:
Jisoo has always viewed BLACKPINK and Blink as her family. Even after going solo, she stated, “I never thought about working alone”, emphasizing her bond with the group and the collective fanbase.
YG Entertainment’s Strategy?
YG Entertainment has a long-standing approach of prioritizing the group over individual branding, unlike SM or HYBE, where solo artists often cultivate their own fandoms. By not naming a personal fandom, YG could be ensuring that BLACKPINK remains a united entity, even as members pursue solo projects.
A Stronger Focus on Acting?
Jisoo has repeatedly expressed her passion for acting. If this is her long-term career path, then building a music-focused fandom might not be a priority—or could even become a constraint if fans expect her to keep releasing music rather than transitioning to film and television.
But is this a wise decision or a risky bet?
Not having a personal fandom allows Jisoo to stay closely tied to BLACKPINK, but could it also be an invisible barrier to her solo career’s longevity?
The Downsides of Not Having a Personal Fandom
Lack of a Strong Solo Identity
Without a dedicated fandom, Jisoo faces challenges in solidifying her personal brand, especially as BLACKPINK’s group activities become less frequent.
Limited Commercial Opportunities
A fandom isn’t just a name—it’s a powerful marketing tool. Brands often target personal fandoms when signing endorsement deals, launching merchandise, and organizing fan events. Without her own fandom, Jisoo might miss out on major business opportunities.
Harder to Sustain Long-Term Popularity
Beyond emotional support, a fandom translates into financial stability. Let’s look at the numbers from Circle Chart (2023 – 2024):
- Jisoo – ME: 1.5 million copies sold, the best-selling solo album by a female artist in Korean history.
- Lisa – LALISA: 831,205 copies, certified triple platinum.
- Rosé – -R-: 830,000 copies, ranking third among female solo albums.
- Jennie – You & Me: Despite no full solo album, the song surpassed 200 million streams on Spotify, proving the power of her personal fandom.
📌 Even though Jisoo achieved remarkable sales with “ME,” personal fandoms remain a crucial factor in maintaining long-term relevance.
Fan Reactions – A Divisive Decision
The Blink community is split on Jisoo’s choice. Two main perspectives have emerged:
Opposing Views:
- Concerned that Jisoo may struggle if BLACKPINK goes on hiatus.
- Believe a personal fandom would help sustain her solo career, much like Lilies & Jensetters support Lisa & Jennie.
Supporting Views:
- Believe Jisoo doesn’t need a separate fandom, as BLACKPINK remains active.
- Think that focusing on acting is more beneficial than building a solo fanbase.
However, past idols have shown that:
Even those who initially relied on group fandoms eventually needed a personal fanbase to maintain longevity.
- Taeyeon (SNSD) once depended on SONE, but her personal fandom became the foundation of her solo success.
- J-Hope & RM (BTS), despite having ARMY, developed individual fandoms to support their solo careers.
Jisoo can continue her current approach, but if she aims for long-term success, would she eventually need to build her own fanbase?
Jisoo and Blink – A Sustainable Choice?
Sticking with Blink keeps Jisoo connected to BLACKPINK, but it raises a critical question:
If BLACKPINK takes a break, will Blink still support Jisoo, or only as long as she remains a part of the group?
If she wants to build a lasting solo career, does she need her own fandom?
Past idols have proven that a personal fandom can be the key to thriving independently. If Jisoo aims to go further, she might need a dedicated community rather than staying under BLACKPINK’s shadow forever.
What do you think? Is Jisoo’s decision a smart move or a potential long-term risk? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
