Quick Answer
BLACKPINK has 4 official members – Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. Some fans speculate there may have been additional “hidden” members in the past, but YG Entertainment has never officially introduced any other members. The current 4 member lineup has remained unchanged since BLACKPINK’s debut in 2016.
Introducing BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK is a South Korean girl group formed by YG Entertainment. The group debuted in August 2016 with their single album Square One, which featured the lead singles “Whistle” and “Boombayah”.
The original four members of BLACKPINK are:
- Jisoo (full name Kim Jisoo) – Lead Vocalist, Visual
- Jennie (full name Jennie Kim) – Main Rapper, Vocalist
- Rosé (full name Park Chaeyoung) – Main Vocalist
- Lisa (full name Lalisa Manoban) – Main Dancer, Lead Rapper, Sub Vocalist, Maknae
This four member lineup has remained the same since their debut. BLACKPINK is currently signed under YG Entertainment and is often referred to as one of the biggest girl groups in the world. They have broken numerous online records and have amassed a large global fanbase.
The Speculation Around Additional Members
Over the years, some fans have speculated that there may have been additional “hidden members” who were once part of BLACKPINK or were planned to be in the group.
This speculation usually centers around 4-5 rumored girls:
- Miyeon – Currently in the group (G)I-DLE
- Euna Kim – Left YG trainee in 2015
- Katie Kim – Left YG trainee in 2015
- Lee Chaelin – Left YG trainee in 2015
- Lim Joo-woon – Status unknown after leaving YG trainee
Fans often claim these girls were originally part of BLACKPINK’s lineup but left the company or were removed before debut. Some of the key pieces of “evidence” fans cite include:
- Miyeon and Jennie were known to be close friends as trainees
- Euna, Katie, ChaeLin were pictured together often pre-debut and speculated to be a BLACKPINK subunit
- YG supposedly confirmed 6 members originally for BLACKPINK
Additionally, some fans think YG may have added new members like Lisa later in the process, since her reveal seemed delayed.
Overall, there are many rumors about additional BLACKPINK members, but no concrete proof.
YG’s Official Statements
YG Entertainment has never officially confirmed any additional BLACKPINK members outside of Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa.
Some key facts according to YG:
- Only the current 4 members were introduced pre-debut under the name BLACKPINK.
- YG has denied that Miyeon was planned to be in BLACKPINK, saying she was always in the debut plans for (G)I-DLE.
- Lisa was not a late addition, she was revealed last because of issues with her traineeship contract.
- No members have ever been added or removed from BLACKPINK since their debut.
YG has stood firmly behind the current 4 member lineup being the original and only official lineup. The company has never confirmed or acknowledged any additional trainees were meant to debut in BLACKPINK.
Why People Speculate About Additional Members
There are some reasons why fans continue to speculate about secret or removed BLACKPINK members despite denials.
- K-pop groups often go through lineup changes pre-debut, so it’s plausible it happened with BLACKPINK.
- Trainees often leave companies and project groups unexpectedly, making the pre-debut process unpredictable.
- YG is known for debuting groups with surprise member additions like WINNER having a new member Kim Jinu added right before debut.
- Fans want to believe their faves like Miyeon could have been BLACKPINK members originally.
- The short amount of pre-debut promo with just the 4 BLACKPINK members felt unusual to some fans.
While it’s impossible to rule out trainees coming and going in BLACKPINK’s early stages, there is no solid proof of any official additions or removals from the group’s lineup right before debut.
The Reality of K-Pop Pre-Debut Groups
While it’s fun to speculate, the reality is that K-pop groups go through many iterations and changes pre-debut.
Trainees join and leave companies all the time. Lineups get shuffled constantly. Pre-debut subunits get created and dropped. Songs get rewritten. Concepts change completely.
The only lineup that matters at the end of the day is the one that officially debuts. BLACKPINK’s debut lineup has stood unchanged since August 2016.
Unless YG himself confirms otherwise, the official BLACKPINK members will remain Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa. Anyone who didn’t debut with the group is not considered an official past member regardless of their pre-debut activities or connections to the girls.
Conclusion
BLACKPINK has 4 official members – Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa. While fans enjoy speculating about secret additional members, YG has never confirmed any other trainees were planned to debut in BLACKPINK or were official members prior to debut.
The 4 girls chosen to represent BLACKPINK in August 2016 have remained the same iconic lineup ever since. Anyone suggesting otherwise is engaging in speculation and rumors rather than facts. Until YG or the members themselves confirm it, the only official lineup is the one that debuted and continues to slay stages across the world today.
| Member | Stage Name | Real Name | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jisoo | Kim Jisoo | Lead Vocalist, Visual | |
| Jennie | Jennie Kim | Main Rapper, Vocalist | |
| Rosé | Park Chaeyoung | Main Vocalist | |
| Lisa | Lalisa Manoban | Main Dancer, Lead Rapper, Sub Vocalist, Maknae |