Every K-pop group follow rules set by their companies. While most of them are reasonable, some can be seen as going overboard and just flat-out unnecessary.
These are the 12 things BLACKPINK members are forbidden from doing by their company, YG Entertainment.
1. Driving
In 2017, Rosé said that she wasn't allowed to get a driver's license. In a previous "BLACKPINK HOUSE" episode, Jisoo also mentioned that members Rosé and Lisa don't know how to drive. It's been said that the reason they aren't allowed to drive is for safety reasons. They can also afford to have personal drivers if they need to go somewhere.
2. Buying cars
Since they can't drive, they can't buy cars, either. This YG Entertainment rule was actually revealed by WINNER member Minho, who said that if ever the wanted to buy a car, they needed to get direct approval from their company first.
3. Smoking
This is an obvious rule. Since they are singers, it will affect their voices and how they perform. People have pointed out that the rule is hypocritical, though, as other YG Entertainment artists have been caught smoking in the past.
Jisoo has said, however, if they wanted to smoke and drink, they'd have to settle it with the company. They are not allowed to do it behind the company's backs.
4. Drinking
This rule was surprising for many because of how big the drinking culture is in Korea. It is used as a way to form friendships and to date and is often done between work colleagues. Other YG Entertainment artists also drink alcohol.
5. Dating
This is a common rule for many idols in different companies. The main concern is that if an idol comes out that they are in a relationship, they can lose fans and can affect their popularity. In January 2019, however, it was revealed that BLACKPINK member Jennie was dating EXO's Kai. While many were happy for the two, some people were also hurt at the news.
Agencies want to prevent their idols from dating to prevent the loss of success. The rules on dating are strict in YG Entertainment - so much so that Jisoo revealed on "Radio Star" that the male and female trainees had different lunch schedules to avoid interaction,
Jennie and Kai would break up after four months of dating.
6. Clubbing
With the no drinking policy, it's obvious a no clubbing policy would be implemented. The risk of seeing the girls get drunk, flirting, or in an unflattering situation at a club is too high, so they are prohibited from going.
However, member Jennie has seemed to have broken this rule. She was seen partying in America with Ariana Grande and Kendall Jenner in 2019 during Halloween.
7. Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery is common in Korea. There are even subway ads promoting cosmetic procedures. Numerous idols have gone through plastic surgery as well, whether by their own choice of by the agency's demand. BLACKPINK, however, is prohibited from going under the knife as the company wants them to show their natural beauty.
8. Tattoos
This rule shocked many people, including Park Jinyoung, the founder of JYP Entertainment! Tattoos are a form of self-expression, but they are prohibited from getting it. Oddly enough, other YG Entertainment artists have tattoos.
9. Traveling
The girls are not allowed to travel alone on their downtime without the company's permission. It was WINNER's leader Yoon who revealed this rule during an appearance on "The New Journey to the West." He said that he cannot travel whenever he wants on his downtime and that he felt he was losing out on moments because of the rule.
The girls have been able to travel for work and during their hiatus, but it's believed they had to ask permission from their company to be able to do so.
10. Writing and producing
Even though members Jennie and Rosé are capable as lyricists, they are not allowed to have creative input in their music. Jennie supposedly helped write lyrics for "STAY" and her solo song "SOLO," but was not given any credit. Jennie herself has opened up about having notebooks filled with lyrics that mysteriously vanish, and people believe it was confiscated to stop her from writing songs.
11. Privacy
During an interview, the girls were asked if they have no private time for themselves. They looked scared to answer and gave polite replies, with Jennie saying they were never forced to do anything. Rosé said that they were not able to see their parents, but at least they had each other. The girls are blocked from answering questions concerning their private lives and are sometimes meant to answer dishonestly.
12. Full control of their money
Yang Hyun Suk had whole control over their money and it is believed he has held back on giving the group what they totally earned. In 2019, YG Entertainment was investigated for illegal gambling and stealing money from their artists. It is said he used the money to fund his Las Vegas trips and was investigated by the Korean government and the FBI. He allegedly lost USD 500,000 in the casinos.
13. Image control
The company has whole control over the girl's image, and they even went so far as to copyright Lisa's real name and the members cannot appear on their friend's vlogs on YouTube. This can be seen when Lisa appeared on CLC Sorn's vlog but only through her voice. She was not allowed to show her face. Rosé also experienced the same thing with Ladies Code's Ashley's vlogs and Girl's Day's Hyeri's vlogs. They need permission from the company to appear on the videos.
