BLACKPINK has set a record as the first K-pop girl group to receive a national Order of Cultural Merit in the year marking the 10th anniversary of their debut.

According to YG Entertainment on the 30th, BLACKPINK, composed of Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa, received the Okwan Order of Cultural Merit at the 17th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards ceremony held at the Haeoreum Theater of the National Theater of Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 29th. The group was recognized for its contributions to spreading Korean popular music overseas.

The Okwan Order of Cultural Merit is the fourth of the five grades of the Order of Cultural Merit. BLACKPINK is the first K-pop girl group to receive this order.

The Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards is a government commendation hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency. It selects recipients through a comprehensive review of achievements, length of service, and social contributions among individuals and organizations that have contributed to the development of popular culture and arts.

In this review, BLACKPINK was recognized for achieving results in overseas music markets through both group activities and the members' solo activities, and for expanding the influence of the Korean Wave. In particular, it holds special significance that BLACKPINK, which debuted in 2016, received the Order of Cultural Merit in the 10th anniversary year of their career.

Through their agency, BLACKPINK expressed that they consider it an honor to receive the Order of Cultural Merit and conveyed their gratitude to the public and their fandom, BLINK, who have loved their music for a long time. They also expressed their aspiration to continue striving to be artists who deliver comfort and inspiration through good music.

Over the past 10 years, BLACKPINK has set various records in major music markets around the world.

[This article was written with partial assistance from AI.]