tri.be blackpink

TRI.BE×BLACKPINK: The newcomer girl group is inspired by their idols to create their own legend

The six-member South Korean girl group TRI.BE was launched in 2021 by TR Entertainment and Universal Music Korea. Its members include Songsun, Kelly, Hyunbin, Jia, Soeun and Mizre (the original seven-member Jinha left the group in 2023 due to health reasons) ([en.wikipedia.org][1]). The name “TRI.be” means “perfect existence” and the hope of becoming a perfect being ([en.wikipedia.org][1]).

Although TRI.BE is a rising star, they have been compared or linked to BLACKPINK by fans from time to time because their music carries a similar vibe: a strong sense of rhythm, trap beat, and a confident and bold style that dares to show off their feminine charm. Kelly, a member of the group, also revealed in the interview that her musical inspiration came from BLACKPINK and Girls’ Generation.

One, musical and stylistic extensions: Loca vs PrettySavage

Some fans on reddit discussed a song by TRIBE, “Loca,” and they felt that the intro rhythm was very similar to BLACKPINK’s “PrettySavage,” including the treatment of flow and drop in the lyrics, which gave a sense of a crossover in styles between the two songs ([reddit.com][2]). Although it does not mean imitation, the same high‑energy trap style, using music to create a strong female image, is a direction that both BLINK and TRIBE Fandom “TRUE” appreciate.

Second, group member voice and positioning: Succession and breakthrough

Although TRIBE and BLACKPINK debuted in the same years, their positioning and division of roles have the following in common:

• Lead singer and main dance are both eye-catching;
• Rap passages with strong beats that build personal style with rhythm;
• Create explosive points with trap/EDM arrangement.

Kelly has said that becoming a girl group was inspired by BLACKPINK, which represents TRIBE’s more confident, international positioning.

Third, TRIBE Growth Path: Covering Multilingual Bold Attempts

In 2021, TRI.BE made their official debut with the single “DaLoca”, which was quickly supported by Universal Music Korea ([en.wikipedia.org][3]). This was followed by several songs such as Doom Doom Ta, Leviosa, and Diamond, with styles spanning moombahton, Afrobeat and trap.

Their members come from Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, and can sing in four languages: Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese, more like the BLACKPINK architecture, transnational charm with visual and voice integration ([udiscovermusic.com][4]).

4. TRIBE Fandom and BLACKPINK Fans have similar cultures

The TRIBE fan name is TRUE, which means “perfect existence with us forever”, echoing the TRIBE name ([kpop.fandom.com][5]). Looking back at BLINK and TRUE, both grew up inspired by idols. BLINK drives Korean girl groups to break through in the international market; TRIBE takes a unique route through “multilingual lyrics + cross-cultural members”.

Kelly talked about how emotional she was to be able to meet her fans face-to-face during her first performance during her growth, not being able to meet her fans due to the pandemic. This feeling for the stage is TRIBE like BLACKPINK early days that initial intention.

Fifth, Future Outlook: Can TRIBE challenge the BLACKPINK trend?

Despite TRIBE remaining active from 2024 to 2025, it was declared “inactive” due to parent company issues ([zh.wikipedia.org][6]). However, they have held European and American tours (such as the True Diamond Tour in Europe 2024) ([kpop.fandom.com][5]), indicating a pragmatic expansion into international markets.

If TRIBE has enough funds to continue producing trap, EDM songs, continue to take the upbeat female force route, and add cultural integration backgrounds (such as Japanese and Taiwanese members), there is definitely the potential to catch up and even reshape BLINK’s phenomenal impact in the future.

Conclusion

TRI.BE is not simply a repeat of BLACKPINK’s style, but another rising star trying to create its own “perfect existence” using trap/EDM, translingual lyrics, and international member characteristics. Even though the official events are calm compared to BLINK, TRIBE has long been able to see the expansion and development of a new generation of Korean girl groups with their music and image.

From Kelly’s confession to the reddit comparison “Loca vs Pretty Savage”, the resonance of fan culture and musical style is exactly what TRIBE is about to prove that “we are the next band to look forward to.”

TRIBE+TRUE join forces to start with music and look forward to their next “real attack”!