【明報專訊】BLACKPINK

．Members: Jennie, Jisoo, Ros�m and Lisa

．Age: 21-23

◆Rise to fame

BLACKPINK is a K-pop girl group with four members — Jennie, Jisoo, Ros�m and Lisa. The energetic, trendy young girls took the international music arena by storm with the digital dance song Boombayah, which topped Billboard's World Digital Songs chart in the first week of sales in 2016. Unlike many K-Pop girl groups which focus on being cute and attractive, BLACKPINK attracts fans because they have a strong, playful but mature image.

◆The rappers

Known for their extraordinary rapping skills, BLACKPINK released a song, Kiss and Make Up, with the trending British singer Dua Lipa. The girl group delivers funky and powerful rap in this upbeat crossover.

◆Photo Story

BLACKPINK signed a deal with Incheon Main Customs (仁川海關) to be their ambassadors in May 2017. The group says that it is "an offer they can't refuse". (photo.1)

BLACKPINK's popularity transcends the music industry. The quartet is much sought- after among various fashion and cosmetic brands, which means Lisa and Jisoo — who were fashion and advertising models before debuting as singers — can show off their modelling skills again with their fellow bandmates. (photo.2)

■English highway﹕Unlike

We use the word "unlike" to make comparisons and bring out the contrast and difference between different parties.

e.g. Unlike his stubborn sister, Jimmy is open-minded.

■Glossary

mature (adj) 成熟的

transcend (v) 超越

quartet (n) 四人組

sought-after (adj) 受歡迎的

[Smarties' Power English 第233期]