Incheon International Airport, the bustling gateway to South Korea, has bid farewell to an era as the iconic Welcome to Korea posters undergo a significant transformation.

The recent replacement of these posters has stirred excitement and reflection among Korean netizens, marking the end of an illustrious chapter dominated by KPop sensation BLACKPINK.

📊BLACKPINK vs NewJeans as the FIRST’s for overall groups/K-Pop acts:

BLACKPINK:
• First act to achieve PAK with a debut song
• First kpop act to achieve #1 on WorldWide iTunes
• First kpop act to spend multiple days at #1 Spotify Global Daily Chart
• First Asian act and… https://t.co/wPaU4BYfcJ pic.twitter.com/mos2jkXL8s

— 𝐬𝐚𝐦 || 𝐁𝐏 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐒✧ (@SAMBLlNK) March 26, 2024

From BLACKPINK to NewJeans: A Symbolic Transition

For the past seven years, the Welcome to Korea posters have been synonymous with BLACKPINK, serving as a beacon for travelers entering the country.

 However, a recent change has seen the emergence of NewJeans, adorned in traditional hanbok attire, gracing the iconic posters.

 The shift has sparked a flurry of reactions online, with netizens expressing surprise at the transition from the KPop generation 3 to the generation 4 era.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE NETIZENS' REACTIONS:  

No but we seriously need to talk about how hybe is highkey trying to make newjeans the next blackpink.

There was a huge blackpink poster at Incheon airport for 7 whole years and now it's newjeans.. danielle become celine ga as soon as their contract with lisa ended too Incheon airport please can you Take of the new jeans poster and put back the blackpink poster because it is irreplaceable @IncheonAirport

Meanwhile stantwt saying NJ isn't the most impactful 4th gen girl group.

So This is normal, right? Not BP's fault ,But it changes every 7 years? Previously there was SNSD, then 7 years later BP, and 7 years later NJ No worries...

BP will comeback and can have other airports or more..

Many have taken to social media platforms to share their thoughts on the evolving landscape of Korean pop culture.

the history repeat itself.
this is such a huge achievement,
the blackpink poster has been there since 2017 in incheon airport and 7 years later newjeans appointed as the new ambassador 🥹 pic.twitter.com/QtyjWtBUAs

— po (@rosiecinema) March 22, 2024

READ MORE: NewJeans Danielle Celine Brand Deal Sparks Mixed Reactions: 'Is She Replacing BLACKPINK Lisa?'

Reminiscing on Icons Past

Notably, netizens have reminisced about the previous icons of the Welcome to Korea posters, which once featured legendary groups like SNSD alongside BLACKPINK.

Snsd, blackpink and now NewJeans😭this really shows that NewJeans are here to stay and that they are the biggest girlgroup of their generation https://t.co/W7mqOcz0iM

— Neva🌙🫧 (@astrosnwjns) April 2, 2024

The introduction of NewJeans has prompted admiration for their beauty and the fitting choice of attire.

Acknowledging Cultural Resonance

The decision to feature NewJeans in hanbok attire has also garnered attention, with netizens applauding the cultural resonance of the imagery.

As travelers pass through the gates of Incheon Airport, they are greeted not only by the promise of adventure but also by the ever-changing landscape of Korean pop culture, symbolized by the transition from BLACKPINK to NewJeans.

ALSO READ: Lee Hyo-ri Gets Candid About Why She Begs JENNIE & NewJeans to Stop Wearing Revealing Outfits

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Cassidy Jones.