JENNIE ZEN Review: Surprising Meanings Behind The Most Talked About Solo Track

Jennie's latest solo track "ZEN" has emerged as one of the most compelling releases of 2025, delivering deeper meaning through its bold artistic choices and unique soundscape. Released on January 25 as a pre-release track for her upcoming album Ruby, the song has already secured an impressive 8.5 out of 10 rating and ranks #5 for 2025 on Rate Your Music.

The track stands out by masterfully blending industrial beats with distorted electro sounds, creating what critics describe as an equally unnerving and arresting experience. Through its mix of Alt-Pop, Electropop, and Hybrid Trap elements, "ZEN" showcases Jennie's evolution as an artist while delivering powerful messages about self-empowerment and resilience.

Considered one of the most spectacular materials from any BLACKPINK-related project in recent times, "ZEN" pairs its sonic innovation with visually stunning cinematography. The track's assertion that "nobody gon' move my soul" and "money cannot buy no real friends" reveals a deeper layer of meaning that deserves a closer look.

Decoding Zen by Jennie: Lyrics and Inner Zen Meaning

Beyond its captivating sound, "ZEN" delivers profound lyrical depth that resonates across cultures and interpretations. The track serves as Jennie's artistic statement blending Eastern mysticism with philosophical exploration to showcase her unwavering self-definition.

At its core, "ZEN" explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and inner peace. Through lines like "Nobody gon' move my soul, gon' move my aura, my matter," Jennie establishes herself as unmovable and centered despite external pressures. This declaration reflects the song's central message—maintaining inner balance amid chaos, essentially embodying the true meaning of zen.

The recurring assertion "I ain't what you think about me" distances her from others' perceptions, whereas "Thick skin layer like chains on chains on chains" metaphorically illustrates the emotional resilience she's developed over time. Furthermore, when she states "Money can't buy sixth sense," she acknowledges her material success while emphasizing that true wisdom comes from within.

Notably, Monk Munkwang of BTN Buddhist TV provided a fascinating Buddhist interpretation of the track. He identified several symbolic elements throughout the music video, including:

The owl representing wisdom
Jennie's Silla-inspired outfit resembling Wonhwa, a figure connected to enlightenment
Lyrics like "Bow your head, kneel down" echoing "banghajakh," meaning "let go"
The phrase "One cannot become two" relating to Buddha-nature and transcending individuality

The visual narrative supports these deeper meanings, particularly when masked figures representing critics approach Jennie, yet she remains unshaken—symbolizing her growth in no longer allowing negativity to affect her. This perfectly aligns with the Zen practice of detachment.

Throughout "ZEN," Jennie poetically explores her journey of personal growth. The imagery of storms and waves symbolizes life's obstacles, while the calm represents the inner peace she's achieved. Ultimately, the track isn't merely about being unbothered—it's about being spiritually unmoveable.

Visual Storytelling: The Zen Music Video Analysis

Directed by Cho Gi-Seok, founder of streetwear label KUSIKOHC, the "ZEN" music video unfolds as a mesmerizing visual feast that extends the track's deeper meaning through deliberate symbolism and striking imagery. His signature delicate, surrealist aesthetics perfectly complement Jennie's powerful presence as she appears in various mythical and celestial personas across different realms.

The video's rich symbolism begins with the prominent owl motif, representing heightened awareness and wisdom in Zen philosophy. This majestic Eurasian eagle owl, native to South Korea, symbolizes Jennie's spiritual growth and clarity. Additionally, the lotus imagery carries significant weight—when Jennie sits within a blooming lotus, it represents spiritual awakening and purity, with its eventual implosion signifying her breaking free from constraints.

Throughout the video, Jennie commands the four elements with remarkable authority: fire signifying transformation, water representing adaptability, air symbolizing freedom, and earth embodying grounding. Her heterochromia (one brown, one blue eye) further emphasizes balance between physical (brown) and spiritual (blue) realms, reinforcing Zen's principle of unity in duality.

Consequently, the video's Korean cultural influences shine through thoughtfully chosen details. Jennie's ornate accessories, especially the golden wing ornament, draw inspiration from ancient Silla dynasty artifacts, while her hairstyles evoke Joseon-era aesthetics with a contemporary twist.

The production technique itself merits attention—Jennie transitions into the chorus without conventional build-up, instead gliding forward with confident ease. The thunderous, precise percussion takes cues from Kanye West's maximalist drum programming style, creating a triumphant backdrop for her vocals. Furthermore, the video's cinematography uses bold color contrasts and dynamic framing to amplify the song's mantra-like intensity.

Ultimately, each visual choice reinforces the song's core message—finding tranquility amid chaos and maintaining unwavering self-assurance. The video's striking visuals don't merely complement the music; they extend and deepen the inner zen meaning that defines this evolutionary step in Jennie's solo career.

Jennie's Solo Evolution: Mantra to Inner Zen

Tracing her path as a solo artist, Jennie has embarked on a remarkable journey that reached a significant milestone with the release of "ZEN." This track stands as a testament to her artistic growth since her 2024 single "Mantra," showcasing an evolution that critics describe as exceeding her previous solo efforts.

Initially establishing her solo presence with "SOLO" in 2018, Jennie took a five-year hiatus before returning with "You & Me" in 2023. Subsequently, her career gained momentum through strategic collaborations, including "One of the Girls" with The Weeknd, which spent 20 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. Her partnership with Matt Champion on "Slow Motion" and ZICO on "SPOT!" further cemented her standalone appeal, with the latter quickly claiming the top spot on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart.

The launch of her independent label "Odd Atelier" in December 2023 proved instrumental in carving out her distinct creative identity. This artistic freedom culminated in "Mantra," released October 2024, which debuted impressively at No. 3 on the Billboard Global 200.

However, "ZEN" reveals a pronounced artistic maturation. Unlike "Mantra," which critics deemed "beneath Jennie's potential," "ZEN" ties its confident energy to a more compelling production. Although both tracks share conceptual similarities, "ZEN" delivers a more sophisticated interpretation of inner strength and self-assurance.

For Jennie, "Ruby" represents more than just an album—it symbolizes a "curtain call" for her previous artistic endeavors. The phrase "In the dark I grew" aptly captures her journey of self-discovery amid the spotlight. Her declaration that "finding a balance between the expectations of fans and public perception is something I ponder deeply" reflects her ongoing quest for authentic self-expression.

Through "ZEN," Jennie invites listeners into a new chapter marked by introspection, empowerment, and individuality—illustrating how she has transformed from delivering mantras to embodying inner zen.