Why BLINK Have Always Been Concerned About YG Entertainment's Production Process For BLACKPINK

After BLACKPINK released their song “Pink Venom,” fans worldwide weren’t able to contain their excitement for the release of the group’s first album in over two years. With Shut Down being released, there was great excitement amongst BLINK.

BLACKPINK concept photo for their single “Shut Down” | *@BLACKPINK/Twitter*

That was, until the tracklist for the album was released.

BLACKPINK “Born Pink” Tracklist | *@BLACKPINK/Twitter*

Although it seemed to interest netizens with the use of sampling and even tracks written by the members, BLINKs were angry that after two years, there were only eight new songs.

8 songs and no collab, this is now what i was expecting tbh

— 🕷️ (@GIRL0VESICK) September 7, 2022

was so shocked that it was only 8 songs that i didn’t realize the girls standing in the poster

— ً (@lsvlogz) September 7, 2022

Yet, alongside the anger about the lack of songs on the album after a two-year hiatus, comments by OneRepublic‘s lead singer and world-renowned producer Ryan Tedder raised anger about how YG Entertainment went about picking songs for the album. In 2021, it was revealed that members Rosé and Jennie even went to work with Ryan Tedder in person at his studio for one of the songs last year. It raised hopes that the tracks would have been on the upcoming album.

Rosé and Jennie in LA when they were writing with Ryan Tedder

It all seemed to be going well, and BLINKs seemed excited when Ryan Tedder revealed the extent to which he worked with the two BLACKPINK members in an interview. When speaking at Good Morning America‘s 2022 Summer Concert series, Ryan Tedder confirmed that he has worked on music with BLACKPINK, specifically with Jennie and Rosé in Los Angeles.

All I can confirm is that I have worked on BLACKPINK material. I did write with the girls themselves. I did, I think, one of the only sessions they’ve done outside of Korea we did in [Los Angeles]. With Jennie, Rosé, a handful of them.

— Ryan Tedder

[IG] goodmorningAmerica:

Ryan Tedder for Good morning America, talked more about working with @BLACKPINK for their upcoming album!

— “I’m a huge @ygofficialblink fan,” — “I’ve got their posters all over my wall.” pic.twitter.com/C0xllUAsQe

— BLΛƆKPIИK FAMILY (@BLACKPINKFML) July 16, 2022

Ryan Tedder gave BLINKs more hope that one of his tracks would appear on the album when he spoke about it again a month later.

I can confirm that I have worked with BLACKPINK on this upcoming album. I don’t know which songs are making it, there’s no way to tell. In my dream world, I’ve got three. Worst case, I’ve got one. Either way, I’m happy, and I hope I have the single.

— Ryan Tedder

| @kzobornpink/Twitter

During the interview, Ryan Tedder also couldn’t stop praising the members and how much input they had on all the songs.

One of the songs, we co-wrote with them, the lyrics, melody, they know what they’re doing.

— Ryan Tedder

| @kzobornpink/Twitter

After so much hype, netizens were shocked when the tracklist was announced. None of the songs seemed to be written by Ryan Tedder or even include his credits.

Others shared their anger that many of the songs which were co-written by the BLACKPINK members were also missed out in favor of other writers.

they scrapped ryan tedder song and add those nugu producers from black label who is taking advantage on bp. hate those men except vince.

— ᱬ (@superiorenami) September 7, 2022

and where the fuck is ryan tedder? they rejected three song from a world class producer who has worked with beyoncé😭 and one of those was written by chaennie, they deserve better, im done now

— . (@LISASE0K) September 7, 2022

jennie and rosé went all the way to LA to make music along with ryan tedder just for yg to throw it all away, yeah okay

— ᴼᴬ (@jennieoa_) September 7, 2022

When the tracklist was released, Ryan Tedder reposted a story with the caption, “Being a songwriter feels like being one of the many seagull, many many many seagull and someone throws one french fry in the parking lot.” Many believe he is referring to not being involved in the album.

A post on Reddit also raised concerns about whether it is normal for K-Pop companies to make producers aware if their tracks are being used or not. Many netizens shared how annoying it was that Ryan Tedder was proud, thinking at least some of his hard work with the members would be included, just for that not to happen.

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Once again, netizens are not raising their anger at BLACKPINK but YG Entertainment. Although they’ve shown disappointment for Ryan Tedder, it’s also more personal as YG has seemingly disregarded many songs written by the BLACKPINK members themselves.

It doesn’t help YG Entertainment’s case that once each of the members left YG Entertainment, they have all had successful solo careers, many of which also include the members’ own ideas. Jisoo is currently working on her solo comeback, Jennie composed and wrote her latest track “Mantra”, Rosé’s first album will be released on December 6, with Rosé being credited as a songwriter on the entire album. Lisa was credited with writing the lyrics to her 2024 release “Rockstar”. With definitive proof that the members themselves are fully capable of participating in song creation, many BLINKs simply wonder why YG Entertainment never let them do it.