K-Pop
By | January 16, 2026
Only BLACKPINK Can Beat BLACKPINK: A Comeback with a Deadline!
BLACKPINK is officially back—and the world is watching. After a comeback pushed back by more than two months in the name of perfection, the global music scene is buzzing with anticipation over the next chapter the group is about to write.
On January 15th, YG Entertainment confirmed that BLACKPINK’s third mini-album, DEADLINE, will be released on February 27. The album marks their first full-group release with multiple tracks in three years and five months, following their 2022 full-length album Born Pink. For fans, it’s not just a comeback—it’s a long-awaited reunion.
The album title immediately grabs attention, as it shares its name with BLACKPINK’s ongoing world tour, which spans 16 cities and 33 shows worldwide. The choice hints at an album deeply tied to the bond they’ve built with fans across the globe, capturing the intensity and connection of their journey together.
Expectations are even higher as the release comes after each member has reached new heights in their solo careers. All four have posted career-best results, from digital sales to global influence, raising curiosity about how their individual growth will translate into group synergy. There’s also keen interest in whether DEADLINE can outdo the impact of “JUMP,” a track so influential it landed on former U.S. President Barack Obama’s annual playlist last year.
Although YG first announced the album in December, the delay to late February has only fueled speculation that the group is polishing something truly special. Within the industry and among fans, the consensus is clear: this wait is about quality, not hesitation.
With a fandom confident enough to say, “Only BLACKPINK can surpass BLACKPINK,” the quartet—already a living legend with countless “firsts” and “mosts” to their name—is poised once again to rewrite K-pop history. All eyes are now on DEADLINE, and on the new records BLACKPINK is ready to break.