Rosé (BLACKPINK) - R

I. Introduction

R is the debut single album recorded by Korean-New Zealand singer and Blackpink member Rosé. It was released on 12 March 2021 through YG Entertainment and Interscope Records. The single album was released for pre-order on 4 March. The single album was produced by Jon Bellion, ojivolta, Jorgen Odegard, Teddy, 24 and Brian Lee. R is primarily a pop record with influences of synth-pop, dance-pop, electropop, EDM, alternative rock, soft rock, indie rock and rock elements.

II. Background & Release

On 2 June 2020, it was announced that Rosé would make her solo debut in 2020, following the release of Blackpink's first Korean language full-length album. On 30 December 2020, in an interview with South Korean media outlet Osen, Rosé revealed that filming for her debut music video would begin in mid-January 2021. On 25 January 2021, a 33-second teaser titled 'Coming Soon' was uploaded to Blackpink's official YouTube channel and featured Rosé singing an snippet of an unknown track.

Soon thereafter, it was announced that Rosé will be showcasing the track featured in the teaser, later given the title "Gone", at Blackpink's first virtual concert, The Show, on 31 January 2021. On 2 March 2021, it was officially announced that Rosé will debut her solo project on 12 March, making her the second Blackpink member to release a solo work since Jennie's 'Solo' in November 2018. The next day, new teaser poster unveiled the name of the lead single, 'On the Ground', for the first time. The first music video teaser for 'On The Ground' was released on 7 March. On 8 March, YG revealed the album track listing, which confirmed first-time songwriting contributions from Rosé on both tracks. On 9 March, the second music video teaser for the title track was published.

R was released worldwide on 12 March through YG and Interscope in conjunction with the music video for 'On the Ground'.

III. Tracklist

IV. Spotify Playlist

V. Videos

VI. Teaser

Coming Soon

Teaser 1

Teaser 2

VII. Official MV

On The Ground

Gone

VIII. Live Performance

Inkigayo

VIV. Dance Practice

VI. Concept Photos

VII. Reception

R received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its emotional weight and Rosé's songwriting. Rhian Daly of NME , awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars. Writing for Beats Per Minute, JT Early gave the single album a positive review. Seung Hoon Lee, a journalist for Osen, considered R as a successful debut and stated that Rosé's performance was more mature than on the Blackpink's debut album.

Rosé's debut single album surpassed 400,000 preorders within four days, making it the best-selling single album by a Korean female solo artist. By 15 March, R had surpassed half a million stock pre-orders. Of the 500,000 preorders, 400,000 came from CDs, 48,000 came from the kit, and 52,000 coming from the vinyl sales. On 17 March, it was reported that the album broke the record of first week sales on Hanteo among female solo artists, with 280,000 copies sold in just one day after its physical release date. In China, the album found success too, selling 1,000,000 digital downloads after two days of release. R reached number one on the digital album sales chart of China's biggest music-streaming service, QQ Music. In addition, the single album ranked first in other major music sites in China, such as Kugou Music and Kuwo Music. R also set the record for the highest first-week sales by a Korean female soloist with 448,089 copies sold. The physical edition went on to debut at number two on the Gaon Album Chart, while the kit debuted at number seven. On April 23, YG Entertainment announced that the single album has sold 502,447 on the South Korean music chart service Hanteo. The company also noted that the feat makes Rosé the first South Korean female soloist to breach the half-million sales mark in about 19 years. In May 2021, R was certified platinum by the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) for selling over 250,000 copies.

Upon release of 'On The Ground', the music video suprassed 41.6 million views in 24 hours, the single currently holds the title as the most viewed South Korean music video of a soloist in 24 hours after breaking the record of Psy's 'Gentleman'. In the United States, the song debuted and peaked at number 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the highest-charting song by a Korean female soloist in the US. It also debuted and peaked at number 1 on both the Global 200 and on Global Excl. U.S. charts, the first to do so in the charts' histories.

'Gone' was released as the second single on 5 April 2021, alongside the release of its music video. The music video garnered over 15 million views in its first 24 hours. In the United States, the song debuted at number 15 on the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart. The song also debuted and peaked at number 29 on the Global 200 with 19.6 million streams and 25,000 downloads worldwide, and at number 17 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart.

VIII. Charts & Sales

VIIII. Weekly Charts

VIIIII. Monthly Charts

VIIIIII. Mid-year Charts

VIIIIV. Certifications & Sales