Blackpink: Light Up the Sky is a documentary film directed by Carolina Suh that talks about the South Korean girl band Blackpink and their rise to fame.
“The K-pop phenomenon has been sweeping the globe and Blackpink has arguably become the most recognizable and most popular girl group in the world. Director Caroline Suh’s trusted relationship with Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa offers organic and honest moments that give viewers an authentic inside look into the lives of Blackpink, as well as the dedication and grueling preparation each member puts into every hit song, history-making performance and sold-out arena tour. We’re thrilled to bring their story to their fans worldwide.”
— Adam Del Deo, Vice President of Documentary Features at Netflix.
I think the most endearing part about Blackpink: Light Up the Sky is that it feels so honest and relatable. The documentary gives a detailed look into the cultural phenomenon that is Blackpink and follows the girls’ rise to fame from the time they were trainees till now. Emmy-nominated director Carolina Suh has done a phenomenal job at capturing these girls’ emotions and happy and sad moments.
The 1-hour-19-minute documentary is heartfelt and honest, and does not focus on any one aspect for too long. There’s a mix of solo and group interviews with the gang – Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. The solo interviews mostly consist of stories about how they started off, their childhood and where they grew up. We get to know how they landed up in YG Entertainment and how hard training was there.
Each of the girls has endured rigorous training, due to which they had to stay away from home for extended periods of time. However, that is probably what helped them to bond with each other and find a home away from home. Their skill and determination are mind-blowing, and talent phenomenal. We also see snippets of their lives and bonds now, how they spend time with each other, and the astronomical amount of work that they have to do before a show. The nerves are, understandably, at an all-time high every time, but as all of them agree – it’s all worth it.
All four members of Blackpink are extremely young, and started off younger. Keeping that in mind, the success, love and appreciation that they have achieved in such a short amount of time is nothing short of commendable. The group is extremely talented, and what’s even greater to watch is the bond that they share with each other.
The direction, cinematography and background score of Blackpink: Light Up the Sky is so great and meshes very well with the overall vibe of the documentary. The music is mostly songs from the band and it energises the storytelling and narrative as a whole. Scenes flow beautifully and look glamorous, with production value absolutely striking. The individual interviews are taken in lush rooms while the group interview takes place in a moving car. The entire vibe looks and feels casual and homey and you feel like you’re chatting with friends.
I think there were some genuine moments of vulnerability in the documentary from the members. Ofcourse, everyone’s idea of vulnerability is different, and the documentary gives a sneak peek behind and humanises the glamour and the perfection that showbiz comes with. These are normal girls with some extraordinary talent and sometimes even they have their off days.
Summing up: Blackpink: Light Up the Sky
Blackpink: Light Up the Sky is a look behind the curtain into the lives of the members of the all-girl K-pop group Blackpink – Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. It’s fun, energetic and sometimes emotional. The girls opening up about their insecurities and problems and also talking about what keeps them going can serve as an inspiration for people who might feel a little low in such trying times.
Blackpink: Light Up the Sky is streaming on Netflix.
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