The Order of BLACKPINK Members Joining the Group

BLACKPINK, the popular girl group, officially debuted in 2016. Since then, the names Jisoo, Lisa, Rose, and Jennie have become increasingly renowned both in their home country of Korea and internationally.

Like other K-pop idols, not all members of BLACKPINK were immediately accepted by their agency, YG Entertainment. The group had to undergo a rigorous selection process to become the stars they are today.

BLACKPINK began their journey with their first song, “Boombayah,” in 2016. Throughout their career, they have collaborated with several renowned international musicians such as Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, and Selena Gomez.

During their seven-year tenure as idols, BLACKPINK’s albums have consistently broken records worldwide. Their success is also evident in every music video they release on their YouTube channel, which always trends.

But, how long were the members of BLACKPINK trainees before debuting, and who was the first member to join the group? According to Style Caster on Monday, February 27, 2023, let’s delve into it!

1. Jennie

Jennie, the rapper and vocalist of BLACKPINK, was the first member to become a trainee at YG Entertainment. At 14 years old, she auditioned for YG Entertainment in 2010, showcasing her golden voice with Rihanna’s “Take a Bow.”

Jennie auditioned in Korea after living in Florida and New Zealand for school, which is why she is fluent in English. When YG Entertainment learned of her proficiency in English, they trained Jennie to become a rapper.

It took Jennie six years to become an official member of BLACKPINK.

2. Lisa

Lisa, a woman from Thailand, was the second member to become a trainee. Like Jennie, Lisa auditioned for YG Entertainment in 2010 in Thailand and stood out from over 4,000 applicants.

As a member not hailing from Korea, Lisa had to study hard and attend courses to become one of the fastest rappers in the K-pop industry.

3. Jisoo

Jisoo auditioned for YG Entertainment in 2011 at 16 years old, making her the oldest member of BLACKPINK. When she was a trainee, Jisoo also pursued acting, appearing in the Korean drama “The Producers.”

With Jisoo’s arrival in BLACKPINK, many fans regarded her as the group’s visual. During an interview, Jisoo revealed that she was approached by SM Entertainment while training at YG Entertainment, but declined their offer as she was already under YG Entertainment’s umbrella.

4. Rose

Rose was the fourth and final member to become a trainee at YG Entertainment for BLACKPINK. At 15 years old, she auditioned in Australia, where she resided at the time.

Rose’s father played a significant role in encouraging her to audition for K-pop idol training. She spent most of her time at home singing and playing her guitar, which led to her father supporting her passion.

After passing the initial audition, Rose began her journey as a trainee, eventually debuting three years later with Jennie, Lisa, and Jisoo as BLACKPINK.