YG PLUS, a subsidiary of YG Entertainment, has enlisted metaverse studio Karta to build a BLACKPINK experience on Roblox, which will go live on Friday (August 25).
The immersive BLACKPINK: THE PALACE experience will serve as a virtual gathering space for the K-Pop girl group’s fanbase, known as BLINKs, within Roblox.
The feature offers fans an opportunity to immerse themselves in an online environment, allowing them to participate in various activities, connect with fellow fans, and explore the multifaceted world of BLACKPINK that transcends geographical boundaries and time zones.
Within the virtual palace, fans can socialize and join in on content inspired by the band’s music and visuals. Fans will be able to navigate the virtual palace inspired by BLACKPINK’s music videos and style.
Fans can also snap selfies with avatars resembling the band members, explore a grand throne room, and accumulate in-game currency for hosting BLACKPINK-themed virtual gatherings.
Beneath the palace’s surface, fans can wield a hammer shaped like BLACKPINK’s signature lightstick to break crystals and gather more power to upgrade their in-game items. The initiative also permits fans to acquire the group’s characteristic outfits and emotes, enabling them to channel their favored artists’ style and routines.
To commemorate the launch of BLACKPINK: THE PALACE, fans accessing the experience within the first 24 hours will earn a special badge, a token of their participation, displayed on their Roblox profiles.
The move marks BLACKPINK’s first immersive experience on Roblox and will be updated with new content year-round.
It represents the band’s latest metaverse foray after hosting a virtual concert on PUBG Mobile last year that was watched by 15.7 million viewers. The band’s members appeared in avatar form for the concert.
BLACKPINK, signed to Universal‘s Interscope Records through a global partnership with South Korea’s YG Entertainment, dropped their first single in August 2016 and have since become superstars.
The group became the first Asian artists to headline the Coachella Festival in 2023.
For Karta, the launch of the BLACKPINK experience follows its successful $1.1 million funding round that attracted investment from players in the music, gaming, sports and finance industries.
“We look forward to welcoming fans from all over the world to a beautiful virtual palace.”
Hyojung Lee, YG PLUS
“We look forward to welcoming fans from all over the world to a beautiful virtual palace where they can party, connect, and experience everything BLACKPINK beyond the constraints of time and space,” said Hyojung Lee, Head of IPX Division at YG PLUS, commenting on the launch of BLACKPINK THE PALACE.
“Fans will be surprised to see and have an opportunity to take selfies with avatars of all four members of BLACKPINK–JISOO, JENNIE, ROSÉ and LISA.”Music Business Worldwide