BLACKPINK Honored by King Charles at Palace Banquet During South Korea's State Visit

In an extraordinary fusion of British and music royalty, the members of the South Korean K-POP band BLACKPINK were guests of honor at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. The event, held on Tuesday evening, was hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla in celebration of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee's state visit to the United Kingdom. Among the approximately 170 esteemed guests were Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé of BLACKPINK, who received a special mention from King Charles during his speech.

The King commenced his address with a greeting in Korean, drawing applause from the audience. He highlighted the strong relationship between South Korea and Great Britain, praising South Korea's advancements in sustainability, a cause dear to the King. Notably, he commended BLACKPINK for their significant contribution to raising global awareness about environmental sustainability. As ambassadors for the U.K.’s Presidency of COP 26 and advocates for the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, BLACKPINK has played a crucial role in promoting these important issues to a worldwide audience.

A Sky News video captured the members of BLACKPINK exchanging smiles as King Charles mentioned them in his speech. The King expressed his admiration for the group's ability to balance their global superstardom with a commitment to vital environmental causes. He humorously referenced his lack of "Gangnam Style," a nod to the viral hit by South Korean singer Psy, during his last visit to Seoul in 1992.

King Charles also spoke about Korea's influential pop culture, drawing parallels with the United Kingdom's own cultural impact. He equated the achievements of Korean director Bong Joon-ho with Danny Boyle, the popularity of 'Squid Game' with James Bond, and the global appeal of BTS's 'Dynamite' with the Beatles' 'Let It Be.'

BLACKPINK has made significant strides in the music industry, both in the U.K. and globally. They made history at BST Hyde Park in July as the first Korean band to headline a major U.K. music festival, as reported by the BBC. This followed their groundbreaking performance at Coachella in the U.S., where they became the first Asian and first all-female group to headline, according to The Guardian.

Adhering to the white-tie dress code of the state banquet, Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé arrived at Buckingham Palace in elegant gowns. The pop stars made a stylish entrance and participated in the diplomatic dinner that concluded the first day of President Yoon's visit. This event marks a significant moment for BLACKPINK, symbolizing not only their global influence but also their meaningful contributions to important global issues.