Jennie (Blackpink)

Jennie Kim (Korean: 김제니), popularly known as Jennie, is a South Korean singer, rapper, and actress. Born and raised in South Korea, Jennie studied in New Zealand for five years before returning to South Korea in 2010. She debuted as a member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, formed by YG Entertainment, in August 2016. In 2023, she made her acting debut under the stage name Jennie Ruby Jane in the HBO television series The Idol.

In November 2018, Jennie made her debut as a solo artist with the single “Solo”, which topped South Korea’s Gaon Digital Chart and the US Billboard World Digital Songs chart; its music video was the first by a female K-pop soloist to surpass one billion views on YouTube. Her single “You & Me” (2023) reached number one on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. and the top five in South Korea, while “One of the Girls” (2023) also entered the top ten of the Billboard Global 200 and became the highest-charting song by a female K-pop soloist on the US Billboard Hot 100. In November 2023, Jennie established her own label named Odd Atelier.

Jennie has received several accolades throughout her career, including a Gaon Chart Music Award and a Golden Disc Award. She is the most-followed Korean individual on Instagram, and her YouTube channel was the fastest in history to surpass one million subscribers. Jennie is renowned for her musical versatility and fashion image, and has been dubbed the “Human Chanel”, for which she serves as a global ambassador.

Jennie Details:

Jennie Early Life and Education:

Jennie Kim was born on January 16, 1996, as an only child. She was originally reported to be born in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, but she later revealed in episode three of Apartment 404 that she was actually born in Bundang in Seongnam. She initially attended Cheongdam Elementary School in Seoul before moving to New Zealand. When she was eight years old, she went on a trip with her family to Australia and New Zealand. When her mother asked her if she liked New Zealand and wanted to stay, Jennie replied “yes”. One year later, she was sent to study at Waikowhai Intermediate School in Auckland and lived with a home-stay family. Jennie spoke about her experience learning a new language on the MBC’s documentary English, Must Change to Survive (2006). During her adolescent years, she dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer. After completing intermediate, she enrolled at ACG Parnell College.

Jennie first heard of K-pop while in New Zealand, particularly finding an interest in YG Entertainment’s music. Her mother planned to move her to Florida in the United States at the age of 14 to continue her studies to become a lawyer or teacher; however, she did not like the idea and was concerned about not finding work she liked while living alone. Her family supported her decision, and she moved back to South Korea in 2010, where she studied at Cheongdam Middle School. Jennie auditioned for YG Entertainment that same year with Rihanna’s “Take a Bow”, succeeding in joining the label as a trainee. Through High Cut Korea, she revealed because she was afraid of strangers and reluctant to take initiative, she could barely introduce herself during her audition. Initially a vocalist, the company believed she should embrace the role of a rapper as most songs she covered included raps and she was the only trainee fluent in English at the time, along with her native Korean; she also knows basic Japanese and has learned French.

Jennie Career:

Jennie’s journey in the entertainment industry began in 2012 when she was introduced as a trainee under YG Entertainment, initially gaining attention through a photo teaser titled “Who’s that girl?” This led to significant online buzz, making her the most searched topic on various portal sites. Subsequently, she showcased her talents through cover videos and featured appearances in music videos and tracks by fellow YG artists such as G-Dragon, Lee Hi, and Seungri.

In June 2016, Jennie was revealed as the first member of Blackpink, YG Entertainment’s highly anticipated new girl group. The group officially debuted on August 8, 2016, with the release of their single album “Square One,” featuring the hit songs “Boombayah” and “Whistle.” Within Blackpink, Jennie took on various responsibilities, including general duties and decision-making, showcasing her leadership skills within the group.

Throughout her career with Blackpink, Jennie has reflected on her years as a trainee, sharing insights into the rigorous training process at YG Entertainment. The group’s global success led to a partnership with Interscope Records in 2018, further solidifying their presence in the international music scene. Jennie’s journey from trainee to debut as a member of Blackpink highlights her perseverance, talent, and contributions to one of the most prominent K-pop groups in the industry.

Jennie’s rise to prominence within Blackpink and the broader entertainment industry was marked by her participation in various television programs and her subsequent solo debut. Her appearance on Running Man in July 2018 garnered significant attention, particularly a viral moment where she was seen crying after experiencing a horror room with Lee Kwang-soo. This led to her recognition as one of the best variety stars of 2018 and subsequent invitations to appear on various shows. Additionally, Jennie joined the cast of SBS’ Village Survival, the Eight, marking her first permanent role in a television series. Amidst her growing popularity, an announcement was made regarding her official solo debut, which generated anticipation and excitement among fans.

Jennie’s solo debut with the single album “Solo” in November 2018 was met with immense success both domestically and internationally. The song debuted at number one on the Gaon Music Chart and achieved a triple crown for simultaneously topping multiple domestic charts. Overseas, “Solo” topped Billboard’s World Digital Songs chart, showcasing Jennie’s global appeal. The accompanying music video broke records, becoming the most viewed by a female Korean solo artist within 24 hours on YouTube. Jennie’s solo endeavors continued with notable performances at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2019, where she became the first Korean solo artist to perform at the prestigious event. Additionally, she contributed to Blackpink’s discography by co-writing the song “Lovesick Girls” and debuted a new solo song titled “You & Me” during the group’s Born Pink World Tour in 2022.

In 2023, Jennie expanded her artistic pursuits by making her acting debut in the HBO television series “The Idol,” created by and starring Canadian singer the Weeknd. Despite the show’s critical reception, Jennie’s portrayal of Dyanne, a backup dancer and friend to the pop star Jocelyn, received praise. Her collaboration with the Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp on the song “One of the Girls,” featured on the show’s soundtrack, further showcased her versatility as an artist. Additionally, Jennie founded her own music label, Odd Atelier, indicating her commitment to exploring new creative ventures beyond her music career.

Following the success of her solo endeavors, including her performance on the Born Pink World Tour and the release of her solo single “You & Me,” Jennie continued to make waves in the music industry. The song’s commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart and receiving acclaim in various countries, solidified her status as a prominent solo artist. Moreover, Jennie’s collaboration with American rapper Matt Champion on the song “Slow Motion” demonstrated her ongoing commitment to exploring diverse musical collaborations and pushing artistic boundaries, further establishing her as a multifaceted talent in the global music scene.

Jennie Personal Life (Boyfriend):

According to the source, Blackpink member Jennie is in a relationship. Jennie and G-Dragon of BIGBANG are allegedly dating, according to a report from the Korean entertainment site Dispatch. Dispatch said it witnessed Jennie and G-Dragon meeting several times. The K-pop stars have supposedly been seeing each other for over a year.

Jennie Discography:

Single albums

• Slolo (2018)

Singles

• “Solo” – 2018
• “You & Me” – 2023
• “One of the Girls” (with the Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp) – 2023
• “Slow Motion” (with Matt Champion) – 2024

Jennie Filmography:

Jennie TV Series / Web Series:

Jennie Music Videos Appearances:

Jennie Music Videos Appearances: