The internet is currently divided over a single line from BLACKPINK’s new album. Just as the group made their highly awaited return with the mini-album Deadline on February 27, 2026, they were immediately met with a wave of backlash. Fans and critics are not just debating the music, but the meaning behind the words. A specific lyric from the track “Me and My” has sparked serious accusations of misogyny, leading many to question the group’s values. The controversy deepened when netizens discovered the song was co-produced by Dr. Luke, a figure with a troubled past in the music industry. This has led to a fierce online debate, with the phrase “They said BLACKPINK was feminist” trending in various discussions .
The Lyric That Crossed the Line
The song “Me and My” was one of the tracks on the new five-song EP Deadline that briefly leaked online before the official release. While the leak itself was a headache for YG Entertainment, it was the content of the song that truly ignited the fire. The specific line that has drawn the ire of listeners is: “You know, that’s my girl / When I call her b*tch, it’s a compliment.”
For many, hearing this in a song by a global girl group felt like a massive step backward. Critics argue that the word is a derogatory slur, and trying to frame it as a “compliment” within the song normalizes disrespect towards women. The outrage was amplified when fans realized that the songwriting credits for “Me and My” reportedly did not include any female writers. Social media users pointed out this irony, with posts going viral stating, “The people who wrote this song are all MEN,” accompanied by expressions of deep disappointment .
The backlash isn’t just about the word itself, but the message it sends to their massive young audience. BLACKPINK has built an image of strong, independent women. Songs like “Kill This Love” and “How You Like That” are anthems of empowerment. To hear them seemingly endorse the idea that being called a derogatory name is a term of endearment has left a sour taste in the mouths of many long-time supporters. The criticism suggests that the song’s perspective feels like it comes from a male gaze, which contradicts the feminist ideals many fans had associated with the group .
Why Dr. Luke’s Involvement Makes It Worse
The backlash over the lyrics was severe enough on its own, but the context of who helped create the track made the situation explode. When the album credits were leaked, and later confirmed upon release, fans saw the name Dr. Luke listed as a producer on “Me and My” and another track, “Champion.”
For those unfamiliar with Western pop history, Dr. Luke (real name Lukasz Gottwald) is a super-producer known for hits with Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, and Miley Cyrus. However, his career has been overshadowed for over a decade by a legal battle with singer Kesha. In 2014, Kesha filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault, rape, and emotional abuse during her time working with him. The case became a landmark moment in the #MeToo movement, with many artists in the industry publicly supporting Kesha .
Although the long-running legal battle was settled in 2023 and Dr. Luke has denied the allegations, his name remains highly toxic in many circles. For BLACKPINK, a group with immense power and creative control, choosing to work with him has been seen by many as a betrayal. The combination of a producer with these allegations working on a song with lyrics that many perceive as misogynistic has created a perfect storm of negative publicity.
Fans are asking a simple question: How could a group of four powerful women sign off on a song that calls a woman a “b*tch” as a compliment, especially when it was produced by a man accused of such serious crimes against a female artist? .
The ‘Golden’ Line: A Mention of Draymond Green
Amidst the serious allegations of misogyny, another part of the “Me and My” lyrics caught the attention of a different crowd: sports fans. The song includes a clever shout-out to NBA star Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors.
The lyrics, rapped in the verses by Lisa and Jennie, go: “Golden like we Draymond, they pay us for a walk-in.” This line cleverly plays on the word “Golden,” referencing both the Golden State Warriors and the lavish lifestyle of the stars. It suggests that just like the basketball champion, BLACKPINK commands a massive presence and gets paid handsomely just for showing up .
This “dream collaboration” between the K-pop world and the NBA provided a brief moment of lighter discussion amidst the heavier controversy. While it didn’t quell the anger over the song’s theme, it showed the global reach of the group, blending pop culture and sports references seamlessly .
Record-Breaking Sales Despite the Drama
Despite the intense online debate and calls for boycotts, the release of Deadline has been a commercial juggernaut. According to Hanteo Chart, the mini-albun shattered records on its first day. As of the evening of February 27 (KST), Deadline sold over 1.45 million copies. This figure not only surpassed the first-day sales of their previous album Born Pink (which sold around 1.01 million) but also set a new record for the highest first-day sales for any girl group in Hanteo history .
The title track “GO” also performed incredibly well, racking up millions of views on YouTube within hours. The music video, which features epic, warrior-like visuals of Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa, has been praised for its high production value. This marks a significant moment as “GO” is the first song in the group’s 10-year career where all four members participated in writing the lyrics .
This creates a strange dichotomy: while the internet rages over the “Me and My” controversy, the group is simultaneously celebrating the biggest commercial success of their career. It proves that while the “misogynistic lyrics” allegation is loud on social media, it hasn’t necessarily translated into a hit on their album sales—at least not yet.
The Silence from YG and the Members
As of now, neither BLACKPINK nor their management company, YG Entertainment, has released an official statement regarding the Dr. Luke collaboration or the lyrical controversy. This silence is typical for the agency, which often waits for storms to pass rather than addressing them head-on.
However, this time feels different to many fans. Because the members—Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa—have been so vocal in the past about their individual artistic identities and have taken control of their solo careers, fans expected them to have more oversight over the group’s music. The fact that the group has remained quiet on an issue that strikes at the heart of feminist values has left a bad taste in the mouths of those who felt the group represented female empowerment .
Some fans have pointed out that BLACKPINK often leaves the production of group music to YG, but argue that given their current standing in the world, they are “in the position to negotiate about everything” and “surely this could have been avoided”.
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A History of Recent Scrutiny
This controversy is just the latest in a series of intense public scrutinies the members have faced recently. Just last month, Jennie faced criticism over her 30th birthday celebration. A video from her private party in a Tokyo nightclub showed her surrounded by “champagne girls”—models dressed in lingerie—using sparklers to open bottles. Critics accused her of promoting the “objectification of women,” while others defended her right to celebrate her birthday as she wished .
Similarly, Lisa faced what many called “double standards” when she was announced as a presenter at the Golden Globes. While male idols attending the same event faced little to no backlash, Lisa was subjected to harsh comments questioning her merit and suggesting her attendance was due to her relationship rather than her talent . These incidents have created a backdrop where BLACKPINK‘s relationship with feminism and public perception is constantly being debated.
With the Deadline album now officially out, the question remains whether the “Me and My” controversy will be a fleeting moment of anger or a lasting stain on the album’s legacy. For now, the internet is watching closely, waiting to see if their favorite idols will address the elephant in the room.
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