SQUARE UP

Lore & Background

The EP's opening track "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" is a "fierce" hip-hop and pop rap song with bubblegum pop sound and trap beat, combining instrumentations of oriental percussion rhythms and whistling on top of the bassline. Lyrically, it's an anthem about the group's success and self-confidence, based around the hook of "Hit you with that ddu-du ddu-du du". The second track "Forever Young" is a mid-tempo "beachy", moombahton-based dance track with "lasering" house beats and reggaeton swing, with lyrics celebrating making the most of your youth while saying "Blackpink is the revolution".

The third track "Really" is a "chill" hip-pop and R&B song about pleading with a lover to show him how much they care. The closing track "See U Later" is a "cutting breakup" dance-pop song that mixes pop and hip-hop with a "trap-laden" chorus, "reminiscent" guitar sound and the distortion 808 bass. The EP received generally favorable reviews from critics; Chase McMullen writing for The 405 praised the album's "readymade hooks and airtight, bursting sonics" and its ability to go "from confrontational to blissfully ecstatic at the drop of a hat".

Billboard listed Square Up at number 20 in their list of the best K-pop albums of 2018, describing it as "a testament to their dedication to rambunctious, hip-hop infused dance music" that "[exuded] confidence, sass and an overpowering sense of chic." Refinery29 placed Square Up at number 8 at their best K-pop albums of 2018, saying that it "shimmers with signature Blackpink cheekiness and effortless swagger, momentarily satiating the fans who are waiting for more."

Reader's Guide

The EP debuted at number one on Gaon Albums Chart, while "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" debuted at number 3 on the Gaon Digital Chart and at number one on the Gaon Download Chart on the chart issue dated June 10–16, 2018 with 31,072,049 digital points. In its second week, "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" peaked at number one on Digital, Download, Streaming, and Mobile Charts on Gaon with 85,411,467 digital points. The EP debuted on the top spot of Japan's Oricon Weekly Digital Albums chart with 3,915 downloads.

The lead single "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" debuted as the highest-charting Hot 100 hit ever by an all-female K-pop act, opening at number 55 with 12.4 million US streams and 7,000 downloads sold in the tracking week ending June 21, 2018, according to Nielsen Music, also entering on the US Streaming Songs tally at number 39, where Blackpink became the first K-pop girl group to chart a title. The single also sat atop Billboard World Digital Songs, making it the group's fourth number one song on the chart.

Square Up also brought the group their first entry on the US Billboard 200, debuting at number 40 with 14,000 album-equivalent units. The EP also topped the Billboard World Albums chart.

Did You Know?

• The countdown special live on V Live for the EP's release garnered over 850,000 viewers.
• Blackpink's seven week long promotion for Square Up wrapped up on August 5 after performing on Inkigayo.