Since the release of DEADLINE, the third Korean mini-album by BLACKPINK, fans have been dissecting every production detail. One question has quickly taken over social media: does the group’s track “GO” sample “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay?
The speculation centers on the song’s bridge. Listeners point to its swelling orchestral textures and euphoric lift, noting similarities to the string-driven arrangement that defined Coldplay’s 2008 global hit. Fan accounts have described the moment as carrying unmistakable “Coldplay energy,” with some insisting it directly samples or interpolates “Viva La Vida.”
There is one key detail fueling the conversation: Chris Martin is officially credited as a co-writer and composer on “GO.” His presence in the songwriting credits, alongside BLACKPINK members and producer Cirkut, lends credibility to the idea that the resemblance is not accidental. However, as of publication, no official sample credit for “Viva La Vida” appears in the publicly available metadata.
That distinction matters. A sample typically involves using a portion of the original master recording, which requires formal clearance and acknowledgment. An interpolation, by contrast, replays or reimagines elements of a composition without directly lifting the original audio. In many cases, shared songwriting credits reflect melodic or structural influence rather than a direct sample.
The debate also follows a pattern established by the group’s previous single, “Jump.” Released in July 2025 as their first comeback since Born Pink, “Jump” blended hardstyle, EDM, synth-pop, and a cinematic Western guitar riff. The track officially sampled “Meet Her at the Loveparade” by DJ Da Hool, a 1997 techno-rave staple. At the same time, many fans drew comparisons to “We Like to Party” by Vengaboys. Despite the sonic resemblance, no official interpolation or sample of the Vengaboys track was credited.
DEADLINE, released on February 27, 2026, via YG Entertainment, marks BLACKPINK’s first full-group project since 2022. The EP debuted with more than 1.4 million first-day sales on Hanteo, setting a new benchmark for a girl group opening day.
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