Jennie Solo: Inside The Making of K-pop's Historic Solo Debut

Jennie solo has achieved what no other female K-pop soloist had done before reaching one billion views on YouTube in February 2024. The groundbreaking debut single, released on November 12, 2018, marked a historic moment as the first solo venture from a Blackpink member.

The success of "Solo" extends far beyond video views. Notably, the track dominated the Gaon Digital Chart and Billboard K-pop Hot 100 for two weeks, making Jennie the first lead female K-pop soloist to top the Billboard World Digital Songs chart in the United States. The song's impact continues to resonate, earning three platinum certifications from the Korea Music Content Association for exceeding 2.5 million digital units, 250,000 physical units, and 100 million streams.

The Birth of Jennie's Solo Project

In mid-October 2018, YG Entertainment made a strategic announcement that would change the landscape of K-pop forever—Jennie would be the first member of Blackpink to embark on a solo career. This groundbreaking decision marked a pivotal moment in both Jennie's artistic journey and the company's long-term vision for the group.

YG Entertainment's strategic decision

YG Entertainment carefully orchestrated the launch of Jennie solo, revealing the track first through Blackpink's In Your Area tour in Seoul on November 10, two days before its official release. This calculated approach built anticipation while leveraging the power of the group's existing platform. The company designed the song as a hip-hop track with pop elements, specifically crafted to showcase Jennie's dual persona as both a "delicate girl" and an "independent woman".

To maximize engagement, YG implemented a comprehensive promotional strategy, airing the Jennie – 'Solo' Diary series on YouTube that offered fans intimate glimpses into her work throughout the promotion period. This behind-the-scenes content created a deeper connection with audiences while documenting this historic solo debut.

Early discussions with producer Teddy Park

At the heart of Jennie's solo album development was veteran producer Teddy Park, who had been instrumental in crafting Blackpink's signature sound since their debut. Park, who had previously produced Blackpink's first two single albums Square One and Square Two along with their hit singles including "Whistle" and "Boombayah," was the natural choice to helm this landmark project.

Their creative partnership was built on mutual respect and understanding. As Jennie herself explained, "Oppa ["older brother" in Korean] plants in us the thoughts we need to have as artists, as human beings". This relationship allowed her to express ideas creatively in her own way while benefiting from his guidance.

Setting the stage for Blackpink's individual careers

Jennie Kim's solo debut established a template for future individual ventures within Blackpink. Following her trailblazing path, the other members eventually pursued their own solo careers—Lisa with "LALISA" and "Money" in 2021, Rosé with "On the Ground" in the same year, and Jisoo with "Flower" in 2023.

The significance of this pioneering move became even more apparent in 2023 when Blackpink re-signed with YG for group activities while members became free agents for their solo endeavors. This arrangement ultimately led to Jennie founding her independent label, OddAtelier (OA), in December 2023, further cementing her role as a pathfinder for the group's individual artistic expressions.

The Jennie solo release not only achieved immediate commercial success but also fundamentally transformed the trajectory of all four members' careers, establishing a blueprint for balancing group identity with individual artistic growth.

Inside the Studio: Creating 'Solo'

The serendipitous creation of "Solo" happened organically in the recording studio, rather than as a deliberate solo project. During a press conference in Seoul, Jennie revealed the spontaneous nature of the song's development: "When I'm at Teddy's studio, he'll make a song and I'll just record the guide for it. It wasn't that he was working on a solo track for me. He just said, 'I have something new, let's try it.' So I recorded the song he had, and it happened to be a great fit".

Teddy's production approach

Teddy Park, described by Jennie as "hip-hop down to his bones," collaborated with composer 24 to create the track's distinctive sound. His production approach blended multiple genres, starting with a "plinking, snapping melody before turning into an anthemic dance track rife with EDM synths and beat drops, boisterous, hip-hop-slanting percussion, and squealing whistle effects". This multifaceted production allowed Jennie to showcase both her "mellow and soaring vocals" alongside her "deadpan, swaggering rap".

Crafting lyrics that reflected independence

The lyrics of jennie solo revolve around themes of independence after a breakup. In the opening line, "I'm tired of pretending/I'm done," Jennie immediately establishes the song's independent stance. This sentiment continues in the pre-chorus with the declaration: "This is not a touching love story/No romance, no sincerity/I'm sorry, but I'm not sorry/From today on I'm a shining solo".

Jennie's input on the song concept

Although not officially credited as a songwriter, Jennie significantly influenced jennie kim solo's concept. She explained to The Hollywood Reporter: "I've input a lot of my ideas into the concept, the style and everything. So, I've had a strong connection from the beginning". She described the meaning behind the song as expressing oneself freely rather than conforming to another's expectations.

The technical elements: EDM meets pop

Composed in the key of E-flat minor with a tempo of 95 beats per minute, the 2:50-minute track fuses several musical styles. Music critics have categorized jennie blackpink solo as a blend of:

Dance and pop foundations
Hip-hop rhythms and vocal delivery
EDM elements, particularly in the chorus drops
Electronic production techniques

SBS' Kang Kyung-yoon noted that the lyrics follow two contrasting themes: a vulnerable, introverted girl juxtaposed with a "independent yet strong woman", perfectly reflecting Jennie's multifaceted artistry and marking the beginning of her journey as a solo performer.

Preparing for the Historic Debut

As the release date approached, Jennie faced the monumental task of transforming "Solo" from a studio creation into a complete performance package. Behind the captivating final product lay months of intensive preparation spanning multiple creative disciplines.

Choreography development with international team

The dance routine for jennie solo showcased an international collaborative effort. Choreographers HUU DUC and DUY LAC worked alongside QUANG DANG and the LIFEDANCE TEAM to create movements that expressed both vulnerability and strength. The choreography deliberately balanced "sleek" movements with powerful sequences, culminating in a finale surrounded by female dancers that emphasized empowerment.

Fashion and styling decisions

Jennie's visual transformation throughout the music video became a fashion showcase in itself. She transitioned from an "innocent and delicate" woman in a luxurious manor to a charismatic, independent figure through strategic costume changes. Her wardrobe featured designer pieces from Richard Quinn, Marine Serre, Saint Laurent, and Chanel, with each look carefully selected to reflect different facets of her personality.

Rehearsal process and challenges

Practice sessions took place at YG Entertainment's prestigious 'X Academy' room, where Jennie and her dancers wore glamorous stage outfits that complemented the elegant practice space. These intensive rehearsals prepared her for her debut solo stage on "Inkigayo" on November 25, 2018. Throughout this process, Yang Hyun Suk, YG's founder, remained heavily involved, sending messages "almost every day" and personally selecting stage costumes.

Mental preparation as the first Blackpink soloist

Nevertheless, the psychological burden of pioneering this new territory weighed heavily. "It feels like we're all preparing and starting together," Jennie revealed at her press conference. "I do feel burdened being the first, but I want to have fun and think that it's an extension of what we've shown so far as BLACKPINK."

Yang Hyun Suk's advice to "go out and slay everyone" and "shake off being shy" helped Jennie find confidence as a solo performer. Despite feeling "a little lonely without my members beside me," she found strength in their unwavering support throughout the preparation process.

The UK Music Video Production

Jennie Kim's vision for her debut solo project took tangible form as cameras rolled across iconic locations in London, marking the first time a Blackpink member stepped into the spotlight completely alone. The jennie solo music video, released alongside the single on November 12, 2018, showcased both London's urban edge and classic architecture.

Location scouting in London

Unlike other K-pop videos often filmed in Seoul or Los Angeles, the production team chose distinctive British locations. The team secured permits for the historic Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes, London—once famous for producing vinyl records by legendary 20th-century musicians. Additionally, the colorful Graffiti Tunnel under London Waterloo station provided an edgy contrast, featuring legal street art adjacent to the London Eye and Southbank Centre Winter Market.

Director Han Sa-min's vision

Veteran director Han Sa-min, known for his previous work on BIGBANG's "BLUE," G-DRAGON's "Untitled," and BLACKPINK's "STAY," helmed the project. His concept centered on emotional transformation—from heartbreak to empowerment. As Jennie explained, "The video shows how a woman gets heart-wounded by a man but overcomes little by little, and then becomes ok."

Visual storytelling through costume changes

The narrative unfolds through an impressive 20+ outfit changes, establishing Jennie as the "Fashion Queen of BLACKPINK." Her wardrobe ranged from a delicate Cecilie Bahnsen dress to edgier looks from Balmain, Gucci, and Saint Laurent—including a statement $11,595 mesh gown from Off-White.

Behind-the-scenes challenges during filming

Filming abroad presented unique logistical challenges. Consequently, Jennie worked intensively with the director on character development. "I've talked a lot with the director and prepared so that I can focus on the character," she revealed. "I took a lot of care whether the character and emotions are well portrayed."

The promotional strategy included three strategic teasers gradually revealing different aspects of the jennie blackpink solo concept—first showing her lying in bed repeating her name, then performing in various outfits, and finally previewing multiple locations throughout London.

Global Reception and Record-Breaking Success

From chart domination to streaming milestones, "Solo" created a historic impact that cemented Jennie's position as a pioneering force in K-pop. Her debut single achieved what many thought impossible for a female soloist.

Chart performance across continents

"Solo" immediately conquered multiple charts, reaching number one on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart, the Billboard K-pop Hot 100, and the US Billboard World Digital Songs chart. This milestone marked the first time a lead female K-pop soloist topped the latter. The track's commercial power extended across continents, eventually reaching number 39 on the UK Singles Chart. Moreover, its impact continued with certifications—platinum in South Korea for 2.5 million downloads and 100 million streams, as well as gold in Japan.

Breaking streaming records for female K-pop soloists

Jennie's pioneering streak continued through the years, as she became the first and only female K-pop soloist to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify within a single calendar year in 2024, accomplishing this feat in just 179 days. Subsequently, she claimed the title of most streamed K-pop female artist in Spotify history with over 3.6 billion streams. Furthermore, the music video made history as the first by a female K-pop soloist to reach 1 billion views on YouTube in November 2023.

Critical reception from music experts

Critics drew notable comparisons between Jennie and established Western artists. Rolling Stone highlighted her "impressive ability to command the center of candy-coated pop-R&B," drawing parallels to Rihanna's artistry. Conversely, some reviewers expressed reservations about the song's substance, with one noting that "Solo collapses when it reaches its chorus".

Fan community response

Initially, "Solo" faced significant backlash from within the fandom. The announcement of Jennie as the first Blackpink member to go solo sparked intense criticism, with three-quarters of fans expressing disappointment. The criticism became so severe that Jennie eventually deleted all Solo-related Instagram posts. Nonetheless, general public support remained strong, and "Solo" ultimately established Jennie as an "IT girl", laying groundwork for her continued solo success culminating in her later record-breaking album, RUBY.

FAQS

Curious fans often have burning questions about Jennie's solo journey. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about her groundbreaking debut and artistic evolution.

How did Jennie feel about being the first Blackpink member to go solo?

Regarding her pioneering role, Jennie has expressed mixed emotions. While acknowledging the pressure, she remains focused on the present: "Let's not put pressure on me. I want to live my present for now, and then let me ease myself into the next thing".

Does Jennie miss performing with Blackpink?

Absolutely. "I've missed the girls. I've missed doing tours with them. I miss our silly moments," Jennie revealed. However, she balances this sentiment with excitement about their individual and collective growth.

How does Jennie describe her evolution from trainee to artist?

"I spent six years as a TRAINEE. I was SO FOCUSED on becoming a PERFORMER, I didn't really understand the MEANING of becoming an ARTIST," Jennie explained. This insight highlights her journey from technical proficiency to artistic expression.

How does Jennie approach cultural expectations in her work?

Jennie demonstrates remarkable cultural sensitivity: "What can I do? If Korean people think it's wrong, I've got to make up for it... I get why you guys are upset. It's cultural, it's history. It's time. And I can't go against time".

What has Jennie learned through her solo experience?

"I believe that I have learned," she reflected. "I have gained the trust from people to kind of break those boundaries and just open that little gap for our culture". This statement reveals her awareness of her pioneering impact.

What message does Jennie have for aspiring artists?

Certainly her most heartfelt advice comes from personal experience: "This is your life — and you have a whole lifetime to live. Not the next 10 years, not the next three years. It's amazing to chase after your dream, but don't forget to live".