BLACKPINK's Lisa And Jennie Get Real About The Toughest Moments They Went Through As K-Pop Trainees

With the amount of success BLACKPINK has achieved since they debuted back in 2016, it seems impossible to imagine a time when they went through any hardships. Yet, like many other idols, BLACKPINK recently opened up about some of the toughest times when they were K-Pop trainees.

The group recently made history again by becoming the first Asian female group to grace the cover of Rolling Stone. They’re also only the third girl group ever on the cover (after Spice Girls and Destiny’s Child). As expected, the group showcased stunning visuals.

The members also sat down and had an honest chat with the magazine. They spoke about everything from their start in BLACKPINK, their family, and what they expect from the future.

During the interview, they explained that their path to debuting was anything but easy. Like many idols, Lisa explained that everything they did was to help them debut and she added, “Debut, debut, debut, that was the only thing on our minds.”

Members of BLACKPINK when they finally debuted | *YG Entertainment*

Jennie seemed to agree with this and even compared the process of becoming an idol to a survival show, recalling, “We were on survival mode.”

Every month, our friends were forced to leave, go home. Getting stressed? Having it rough? Those feelings were a luxury. What mattered was debuting.

— Jennie

All of the members had their own routes into YG Entertainment and had different periods of training. Jennie spent the longest time training for six years, while Jisoo also had over five years working before she debuted. In particular, members Lisa and Rosé had to leave their homes in Thailand and Australia to become a trainee.

Predebut picture of BLACKPINK with (G)I-DLE’s Mieyon who was rumored to have been set to debut with the group

Most netizens know that the life of a trainee is tough and has often been scrutinized because, despite the work, many don’t succeed. Like other YG trainees, the BLACKPINK members went through tough evaluations and performances each month to help them improve.

With monthly testing, solo and team performances, along with lessons to enhance their skills, Lisa shared her honest thoughts on the experience, particularly as someone who was so far from home.

When was this going to end? Like, when? Do we have to get tested every month. I’d call my mom [in Thailand] wanting to quit, and she’d tell me to hang on just another year, just hang on.

— Lisa

Lisa and her family in Thailand | *@chitthipbruschweiler/Instagram*

As expected, this training can take a toll on anyone’s mental health, and although YG tried to help by receiving classes, it was their bond with each other that got them through it all.

Jisoo: We had the same problems, so it was better to talk to each other.

Jennie: We just endured.

The moment when they would just sit in their dorm and sing together was one that stood out and made everything worth it.

As expected, BLACKPINK’s success didn’t come easily and definitely wasn’t handed to them. Like all trainees, they went through the ups and downs, times they wanted to quit and give up. Yet, it was their bond and desire to succeed that kept them going and has made them one of the biggest K-Pop groups in the world.

You can read more from the group’s Rolling Stone interview below.