Expectations were high for the new releases from rookie group Black Pink, but its main song “Playing with Fire“ failed to rank No. 1 on local music charts after its release on Tuesday.

The song did not spark as heat from Korean music fans as anticipated, as JYP Entertainment’s Twice remained at the top of the charts with “TT.”

Black Pink’s agency YG Entertainment, whose well-known artists include 2NE1 and Big Bang, is now trying to hoist the group onto the global stage.



“Playing with Fire,” a track off the group’s second single album “Square Two,” is reminiscent of 2NE1’s hit song “Fire.” It also has the line, “The color of my heart is black,” which is from G-Dragon’s 2013 song “Black.”

Despite the strategic writing of the song, some Black Pink fans expressed their concerns about the quality of the new song, compared with the group’s previous hits such as “Whistle.” But others said they came to appreciate the appeal of the song the more they heard it.

“Playing with Fire” is currently at No. 2 on the Melon chart as of 2 p.m. on Tuesday. “Stay,” another song off the same album, sits at No. 11.

Check out some of the major reaction videos on YouTube:





By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)

Related article: Black Pink’s ‘Stay’ is a welcome change of pace