We are starting a new series of blogs dedicated to my favorite K-pop genre where we delve deeper into each artist/group’s top hits, their musical style and background.  August will kick off with BLACKPINK who paved the way for Korean pop to be globally renowned and loved. 

BLACKPINK, formed by YG Entertainment in 2016, consists of four talented members: Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo, and Rosé. The group quickly gained fame for their powerful performances and distinctive style. BLACKPINK debuted with their single album "Square One" in August 2016, featuring hits like "Boombayah" and "Whistle." Their immediate success set the stage for a phenomenal career. From collaborations with international artists to performing at Coachella, BLACKPINK has achieved numerous milestones that have cemented their place in the global music scene

Members Overview

• Jennie: Known for her rap skills and charismatic presence.
• Lisa: The main dancer with a versatile talent.
• Jisoo: The visual and vocalist with a unique charm.
• Rosé: Recognized for her soulful voice and musicality

Solo Journey

Jennie Kim is the main rapper and vocalist for BlackPink however she has branched to become an actress and fashion icon since her debut.  Jennie is the first member of the group to start her solo journey with the debut “Solo” in 2018. "Solo" is a dance, pop, and hip hop song with EDM elements. Its lyrical content revolves around the theme of independence after a break-up and embodies Jennie’s transformation from an innocent to strong independent woman.

Solo was a commercial success in South Korea topping Billboard K-pop Hot 100 for two weeks and received many accolades from Korea Music Content Association.  In 2024, it became the first music video by a female K-pop soloist to reach one billion views on Youtube. The music video was filmed in the United Kingdom and showcases her ability to convey emotion and power through her voice.  Music aside, the singer's fashion choices, which included a US$11,595 mesh gown from Off-White, got everyone talking about her iconic fashion statement. She has rocked over 20 gorgeous outfits which makes her “Fashion Queen of BlackPink”.

After 5 years since her first solo single, Jennie released her second single You & Me in October 2023 after being performed on BlackPink's Born Pink World Tour.  You & Me was a commercial success hitting top on Bill Board and many other charts. Lyrically, the track is a love song in which Jennie sings about falling for the person she's singing to and being ready to let go of any fear when it comes to love. The music video garnered 10 million views in less than 24 hours and features Jennie in a beautiful red outfit with a crew of back up dancers dancing against a moon backdrop.

This song has definitely been repetitively played on my playlist this year! One of the Girls is a collaboration with the Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp for an episode of the Idol.  This song gained even more popularity after going viral on TikTok. The song relates to the storyline of The Idol and addresses themes of control, fame, desire, and Stockholm syndrome.  Jennie lends her voice to the song’s introduction and bridge, including the lyrics "Lock me up and throw away the key / He knows how to get the best out of me."

Singing Style

Jennie has a distinguishable voice and she is one of the strongest vocalists in her group. She currently is the member with the highest note.  She has excellent control over her breath which enables her to convey emotion and power effectively.  Jennie is versatile in switching her chest and head voice smoothly for a more dynamic voice.  "Whistle" is a great example of Jennie's ability to use her mixed voice.

When Jennie first began to rap, she studied the work of artists she admired and respected, such as Lauryn Hill and TLC.

Life, Career

Jennie Kim was born on January 16, 1996 as an only child in South Korea however moved to New Zealand for schooling. During her time abroad, she learned to speak fluent English on top of basic Japanese and fluent Korean. After several years in New Zealand she moved back to South Korea and auditioned for YG Entertainment where she trained under for six years.. On September 1 2012, Jennie made her first public appearance as the lead actress in G-Dragon's music video "That XX". On June 1, 2016, Jennie was the first member to be revealed for YG Entertainment's newest girl group, its first in seven years since 2NE1.

Relationships

Being the "It" girl of Kpop globally, everyone is curious about her dating life and style.  Like many K-Pop artists, dating is very strict however Jennie is the only member in BlackPink who has publicly dated.  She has braved and hopefully will pave the way for relationships to be norm in the K-Pop realm.  After all, stars are human beings and deserve love just like us!

Kai

Kai is from 9 member boy band, EXO who was initially romantically tied with Jennie after a paparazzi photo was taken of Kai driving to Jennie's home in Seoul.  Then in 2018, Kai's management company, SMEntertainment, confirmed Jennie and Kai's relationship after photos surfaced on the internet. There were many photos of the couple with matching sneakers and Jennie rocking Kai's beanies.  However in 2019, the SM entertainment company confirmed the two parted ways due to conflicting schedules. 

G-Dragon

G-dragon is known as the King of K-Pop and he was from the super popular boy band, Big Bang.  Jennie and G-dragon had worked on two songs together: That XX which was Jennie's first feature in a music video and BLACK.  It was reported in 2021 that Jennie was seen leaving G-Dragon's house.  YG entertainment could not confirm the artist's relationship status.

V

V, Kim Taehyung, is one of the cutest members of BTS. Of course it would be a fan's dream if two of the most popular groups dated one another.  He and Jennie were spotted driving in a car together in Jeju Island in 2022.    Again dating rumors sparked when they were seen together by French paparazzi in Paris. Both of their agencies have not verified the reports of their past relationship.

As one-fourth of the world’s biggest girl group, Jennie has broken barriers for K-Pop performers. Truly, she is a triple threat who has exceeded everyone’s expectations especially after her solo debut album and most recently her breakthrough in acting. In 2022, it was announced Jennie would be appearing in the TV show “The Idol”, making  Jennie  the first Korean idol to appear in Hollywood.  Not only is she great in the music realm, she also manages her own management and is now holding a place in the acting world as well.