BLACKPINK’s comeback era is officially stepping beyond the usual music-show-and-billboard rollout. For DEADLINE, the group is partnering with the National Museum of Korea in a large-scale project that turns one of the country’s most important cultural spaces into a “pink” landmark—while also giving fans a new way to experience Korean heritage through BLACKPINK’s voices. It’s a rare, high-profile fusion of K-pop and national culture branding, and it’s already being framed as a first-of-its-kind collaboration at this scale.
What exactly is the “National Museum of Korea x BLACKPINK” project?
According to Korean outlets reporting on the announcement, the initiative runs from February 27 to March 8, 2026, timed to the release of BLACKPINK’s third EP, “DEADLINE,” which drops February 27, 2026 (KST).
The concept is simple but powerful: treat the museum as both a cultural landmark and a comeback “stage.” Instead of building a temporary pop-up in a shopping district, the campaign places BLACKPINK inside a space synonymous with Korean history—and makes that the visual centerpiece of the era.
The museum “turns pink”
One of the most talked-about elements is a pink lighting event that illuminates the museum exterior in BLACKPINK’s signature color during the collaboration period. In other words, the building itself becomes part of the comeback imagery—designed to be photographed, shared, and recognized instantly across social feeds.
The lighting is scheduled during set evening hours (as posted in event info shared on social platforms), creating a clear “go-time” window for fans to visit and capture the visuals.
BLACKPINK as audio docents: the “heritage meets fandom” core
The collaboration isn’t just aesthetics. Members reportedly recorded audio guides for eight key artifacts from the museum’s collection, accessible via QR codes near exhibits.
And there’s a multilingual angle that makes the project feel deliberately global:
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Jisoo + Jennie: Korean narration
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Rosé: English narration
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Lisa: Thai-language guide (reported as scheduled for release in March)
This is a big deal for two reasons:
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It reframes “idol voice content” from fan-service into something closer to cultural interpretation.
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It expands the museum experience for international visitors in a way that also feels uniquely BLACKPINK.
Spotify partnership + the “Pre-Listening” event
Spotify is named as an official partner, and the campaign includes a Spotify pre-listening event held at the museum.
From the official notice details:
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Pre-Listening Event Date: February 26, 2026, 20:00–23:00 (KST)
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Location: National Museum of Korea (Seoul, Yongsan-gu)
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Reservations open: February 19, 2026, 20:00 (KST)
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Multiple sessions are listed, with Sessions 1–2 marked as Spotify Premium exclusive
Then there’s a broader “Listening Zone” period running February 27 to March 8, 2026, aligning with the museum collab window.
In practice, this makes the museum a physical “first listen” destination—turning comeback week into something closer to a festival-style activation rather than a standard album drop.
Why this collaboration matters (beyond the headlines)
K-pop is no stranger to luxury brand partnerships or tourism tie-ins, but a major collaboration with a state-run national museum signals a different level of institutional embrace. Korean reporting explicitly frames this as a notable first at scale for a K-pop act, and the execution choices (heritage narration + architectural lighting + museum-based listening) make it feel less like a simple endorsement and more like a designed cultural project.
It also speaks to the current era of BLACKPINK’s brand power: after years of global touring and solo expansion, the group’s “comeback moments” now operate like major city events—something you attend, not just stream.
What fans should watch for next
Based on what’s already public, the next “checkpoint” dates are clear:
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Feb 19, 2026 (20:00 KST): pre-listening reservation opens
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Feb 26, 2026 (20:00–23:00 KST): Spotify pre-listening night at the museum
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Feb 27, 2026: DEADLINE release day + start of the listening zone and museum activation window
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March 8, 2026: collaboration window ends
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March 2026: Lisa’s Thai-language guide is reported to be scheduled for release
The bigger picture: a comeback designed like a landmark
If DEADLINE is the music, this museum collaboration is the statement: BLACKPINK isn’t just returning with an EP—they’re returning with a cultural-scale rollout that ties the group’s identity to place, heritage, and global visibility all at once. The result is a comeback that feels less like a release date and more like a chapter opening—lit in pink.
