New Delhi: K-pop queens BLACKPINK have fans worldwide screaming after announcing their third mini-album, Deadline, set for release on February 27, 2026.
After a painful three-year wait since Born Pink, excitement exploded with a slick teaser video. But joy turned to fury as BLINKs slammed it as “just a mini” – demanding a full album instead. Is YG Entertainment playing with hearts again? Dive into the hype, heartbreaks, and solo star power-ups.
Teaser reveal sparks buzz
On Thursday, BLACKPINK shared a fast-paced teaser video on official platforms. The clip announced, ‘BLACKPINK 3rd MINI ALBUM [DEADLINE] 2026.02.27. 12AM (EST) / 1PM (KST).’ The title draws from their ongoing world tour, ending January 26, 2026, at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium.
This marks the group’s first release since Born Pink in 2022, following The Album in 2020.
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Fan reactions split wide
Fans flooded comments with pure joy at first. One wrote, ‘The world is healing.’ Another said, ‘Finally, can’t wait for this one.’ A third added, ‘Trying to be normal about this.’
But disappointment hit hard, too. A fan vented, ‘Mini album? We were expecting a full album.’ Another raged, ‘We’ll be lucky if we get eight songs, probably six. Y’all should be embarrassed that your artistes as soloists can produce more and better songs than YG as a group.’ One more demanded, ‘We all waited so long for this? Full album when, YG?’
Long delays frustrate BLINKs
Initial reports hinted at a May 2025 comeback, pushed to November, then December, and now February 2026. YG Entertainment blamed the shifts on efforts to improve quality.
The three-year gap saw massive solo successes. Rosé earned Grammy nods for her Bruno Mars collab on APT. Jennie launched her fashion label, ODD ATELIER. Lisa started the LLOUD company and presented at the Golden Globes. Jisoo balanced acting with a single alongside ex-One Direction’s Zayn Malik.
What lies ahead?
Deadline promises high energy, tying into the tour’s theme. Yet fan backlash questions if six to eight tracks satisfy after such hype. BLINKs crave more group magic amid solo triumphs.
As the release nears, all eyes stay on YG. Will Deadline heal the wait or fuel more calls for a full album? The K-pop world holds its breath.