Blackpink will not perform in the U.S. at Yoon’s state dinner

Blackpink will not perform at a state dinner hosted by the United States on April 26, according to the presidential office Friday.

“The performance currently reported by media outlets is not included in the official schedule for the president’s visit to the United States,” according to a statement, although presidential office did not further explain or describe the performance or mention Blackpink.

President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit to the United States is scheduled for April 26, which marks the first visit by a Korean president to the United States in 12 years and the 70th year of the alliance between the two countries.

The announcement was made after media outlets reported that Kim Sung-han, who resigned from his post as the National Security Office chief Wednesday, failed to mention the possibility of scheduling cultural events during the state dinner.

U.S. first lady, Jill Biden, reportedly suggested Blackpink perform. Lady Gaga was also to perform at the state dinner, according to reports.

Busan Ilbo on Friday reported that the United States proposed Korea cover the entire cost of the performance. The newspaper said this may have been why Kim believed the performance was unlikely to take place and hence did not follow up on the proposal.

According to the media outlet, the cost of the performance would have been $2 million to $3 million.

Earlier, YG Entertainment confirmed it had received an offer for the group to perform at the state dinner on April 26.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]