As BLACKPINK’s Rosé gears up for the release of her highly anticipated debut solo album, rosie, she’s opening up about the complexities of K-pop fan culture and her journey as an artist. In a recent interview with The New York Times, the Korean-Australian singer shared candid insights into the polished image expected of idols and how she’s learned to navigate it over nearly a decade in the industry.
“We were trained to always present ourselves in the most perfect, perfect way,” Rosé explained. “And so even when we were interacting with fans online, it was when I was ready to give perfect answers and give them what they wanted. And making sure that I’m a perfect girl for everyone.”
She noted that this expectation is deeply ingrained in K-pop culture, adding that the transition to presenting her authentic self was a skill she had to develop over time.
Reflecting on her early years with BLACKPINK, Rosé admitted the adjustment was far from easy: “I feel like the transition of now having to be on camera and being an artist and presenting to the world who I am, that’s something we just had to learn as we went. The first few years were very difficult for me, personally. But a few years in, I started picking it up and learning.”
Yet, even now, she says the challenges haven’t entirely gone away: “I think it’s still hard, actually. It kind of never stopped since then.”
Her upcoming album marks a significant shift from the hyper-polished world of K-pop. With rosie, Rosé is embracing vulnerability in a way that feels new and raw. “I had moments where I was like: ‘Wait, can we say this? Wait, maybe we shouldn’t put that word in there. Maybe this is too much. Should we not?”
Photo: WireImage
