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The extreme methods K-pop fans use to ‘manipulate’ the charts for BLACKPINK – including watching their music videos ten times an HOUR to influence the streaming songs
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K-pop fans go to great lengths to ensure that South Korean girl group BLACKPINK dominate the charts.
The group has made chart history in recent weeks, including in Australia, and much of their success is due to their rabid loyal fan base.
Their fans, known as Blinks, have staged targeted campaigns to influence YouTube’s algorithms to increase BLACKPINK’s streaming numbers, reports Vulture.
K-pop fans go to great lengths to ensure South Korean girl group BLACKPINK (pictured at the MTV VMAs in New Jersey on Aug. 28) dominates the charts
A select few superfans have led and organized more than half a million Blinks in 60 countries to “reverse engineer that algorithm with the goal of keeping Blackpink at the top of the YouTube charts.”
Some of these tactics include “training new fans in proper streaming techniques, tracking BLACKPINK’s placement in the global charts, and hitting ‘play’ ten times an hour in the music video for Pink Venom.”
The Blinks have also raised money to pay for YouTube Premium subscriptions for other fans so they can repeatedly stream the group’s latest music videos without being interrupted by ads.
“I play the song while I’m working. I’m proud to be a multitasker,” one fan boasted to Vulture.
Fans have used a number of tactics, including watching the group’s Pink Venom music video (pictured) ten times an hour to increase streaming numbers.
BLACKPINK recently made history on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart after their song Pink Venom debuted at No. 1, making it the highest debut single by a K-pop group in ARIA Chart history.
The song beat out big names like John Farnham, Nicki Minaj, Harry Styles and Kate Bush.
The Pink Venom music video was viewed more than 90 million times on YouTube in its first 24 hours of release last month, setting a new record.
BLACKPINK’s Lisa was pictured at the MTV VMAs in Newark, New Jersey last month
ARIA has included streaming and YouTube views in its charting methodology this year.
“We know that millions of Australians watch music videos on YouTube every month, so it’s great to know that this data will now enter the ARIA charts,” YouTube Music ANZ said in a statement in March.
BLACKPINK is one of the most popular K-pop groups Down Under due to their connection to Australia and New Zealand.
Member Roseanne ‘Rosé’ Park was born in Auckland and raised in Melbourne, while Jennie Kim studied in New Zealand for five years.
Their debut album, titled The Album, reached No. 2 on the ARIA Album Chart in 2020.
BLACKPINK made history on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart after their song Pink Venom debuted at No. 1, making it the highest debut single by a K-pop group in ARIA Chart history