BLACKPINK hits 100 million YouTube subscribers

Feb 23, 2026, 07:54 am

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K-pop girl group BLACKPINK. /Yonhap

BLACKPINK has become the first artist in the world to surpass 100 million subscribers on YouTube, earning a specially crafted award from the platform to mark the milestone.

According to YouTube and YG Entertainment on Feb. 22, the group reached 100 million subscribers at 7:31 p.m. on Feb. 20.

Launched in June 2016, BLACKPINK’s official YouTube channel achieved the record in approximately nine years and eight months. The channel currently hosts 648 videos.

To commemorate what it described as an “extraordinary moment,” YouTube presented BLACKPINK with the “Red Diamond Creator Award,” a special trophy created exclusively for the group.

BLACKPINK first entered YouTube’s global Top 5 in July 2020 as the first non-English-language artist to do so. The group subsequently surpassed major pop stars including Ariana Grande, Eminem, Ed Sheeran, Marshmello and Justin Bieber, rising to No. 1 globally in September 2021 — a position it continues to hold.

The group has placed nine videos in YouTube’s “Billion Views Club,” including “DDU-DU DDU-DU” and “Kill This Love.” Three of their music videos also rank among the top 10 most-viewed videos within 24 hours of release.

In total, BLACKPINK has produced 50 videos with over 100 million views, amassing a cumulative 41.1 billion views on its official channel. The group is officially listed in Guinness World Records as the “most viewed band on YouTube.”

Over the past 12 months alone, BLACKPINK has recorded more than 3.3 billion views on the platform. Subscriber growth accelerated following promotional teasers for the group’s third mini album, DEADLINE, set for release on Feb. 27. Since the announcement video posted on Jan. 15, the channel has gained an average of 10,000 new subscribers per day.

YG Entertainment said subscriber count on YouTube reflects the loyalty and engagement of a global fanbase, adding that BLACKPINK’s fandom continues to expand even as the group remains at the pinnacle of the global music industry.

YouTube praised the group, stating that BLACKPINK has captivated audiences worldwide with “powerful energy and overwhelming performances,” earning global acclaim through a string of mega-hits.

Lyor Cohen, global head of music at Google and YouTube, called the achievement “truly historic,” noting that BLACKPINK is the first artist in the world to reach 100 million subscribers.

“This milestone proves how deep the bond is between BLACKPINK and their fans, and how uniquely powerful their influence is on the global stage,” Cohen said. “It goes beyond a K-pop milestone and stands as a perfect example of how artists can use YouTube to build a borderless mega-fandom.”

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