JENNIE's Solo Track Review: What Makes "Like JENNIE" Stand Out From BLACKPINK Hits

JENNIE's song "like JENNIE" arrives as a bold statement alongside Lady Gaga's "Mayhem" on March 6, 2025. Despite its compact two-minute runtime, this lead single from her debut album "Ruby" packs a powerful punch with its distinctive sound.

The track stands out from typical BLACKPINK hits by fusing electronic music with Brazilian funk elements, creating an energetic blend that showcases JENNIE's artistic evolution. Notably, the song's metallic beat and rubbery bass, combined with bilingual lyrics, earned it a solid 7.5 out of 10 from critics. While the song's hook declares that "only one JENNIE can exist," her collaborations with artists like Dua Lipa and Doechii on the album prove she's ready to carve her own path in the music industry.

Breaking Down 'Like JENNIE' Song Production: Brazilian Funk Meets K-Pop

"Like JENNIE" stands as a bold fusion of musical styles, blending the tropical rhythms of Brazilian funk with contemporary phonk elements to create something uniquely positioned between K-pop traditions and global bass music. This innovative production approach gives the track its distinctive character that separates it from typical BLACKPINK offerings.

The Metallic Beat Structure: Phonk Elements Analysis

The production foundation of "Like JENNIE" centers around what critics describe as a "metallic beat that hybridizes baile funk and phonk". This electronic maelstrom creates an unyielding sonic landscape that commands attention at every turn. The production team strategically employs heavy bass beats that underpin Jennie's aggressive vocal delivery, creating a contrast between her polished image and the raw, industrial soundscape.

What makes the instrumental particularly engaging is how it evolves throughout the track, never settling into predictability. Music forums note how "the beat goes insane", with its layered approach typical of Brazilian funk production. This style intentionally places percussion elements higher in the mix, creating that signature intense energy that propels the song forward. The phonk influence manifests in the darkly atmospheric tones that give the track its edgy quality.

Bilingual Flow: Korean-English Rap Technique

One of the most striking aspects of "Like JENNIE" is how it "seamlessly blends Korean and English, introducing a fresh rap style". Though predominantly in English, the strategic inclusion of Korean verses creates an effective mood shift that balances the track. This decision proved surprising to listeners, with one reviewer noting: "I admit I was surprised when the Korean rap came in. I was expecting the song to be entirely in English".

Jennie's rap verses complement the ever-evolving instrumental perfectly, showcasing what fans have described as "free-spirited and malleable" delivery. Her Korean verses in particular demonstrate her technical prowess, with social media reactions highlighting that "her Korean rapping is fire". This bilingual approach represents a calculated strategy as Jennie navigates both Korean and American markets simultaneously.

Production Credits: Who Shaped This Sound?

The innovative sound of "Like JENNIE" emerged from a collaboration of established industry figures. The track was co-produced by Diplo, LeClair, and Jaxxtone, bringing together electronic music expertise with K-pop production sensibilities. Furthermore, Jennie herself took an active role in crafting the song, co-writing it alongside respected Korean rapper and producer Zico, with whom she previously collaborated on the 2024 single "Spot!"

Additional writing credits include Tayla Parx and Kiddo A.I., showing the international collaborative approach taken to create this cross-cultural track. This assembly of talent helped craft a song that, despite its brief runtime, delivers maximum impact through its innovative production choices.

Vocal Analysis: How JENNIE's Delivery Creates Her Signature Sound

Beyond the innovative production of "Like JENNIE," JENNIE's vocal delivery itself creates a signature sound that distinguishes her solo work. Her commanding presence on the track showcases years of refinement and a confident artistic identity.

Rap Cadence Comparison: Solo JENNIE vs. BLACKPINK Verses

JENNIE's rap delivery in "Like JENNIE" marks a significant evolution from her BLACKPINK verses. Her solo work features noticeably faster, more technically challenging rap sequences that showcase her linguistic dexterity. With lines like "Special edition and your AI couldn't copy," she establishes a sharp, commanding flow that remains consistent throughout the track.

Unlike her BLACKPINK performances where she often shares rap duties, JENNIE handles multiple rap styles within this single track. Her technique demonstrates remarkable clarity in pronunciation—a strength noted in her previous work. Essentially, her solo rap style employs greater vocal versatility, shifting effortlessly between "a softer tone, a soulful tone or a powerful tone".

One distinctive element is her bilingual approach. Critics highlight how she "weaves between English and Korean seamlessly", with many fans noting "her Korean rapping is fire". This bilingual flow adds textural complexity absent from many of her group verses.

The Strategic Repetition in 'Like JENNIE' Lyrics

The repetition in "Like JENNIE" serves both structural and thematic purposes. The recurring line "Have you ever met JENNIE?" functions as a challenge to listeners while creating a memorable hook. Similarly, the chorus with its infectious repetition of "Like JENNIE" establishes the track's self-celebration theme.

This strategic use of repetition creates what experts describe as a "strong rhetorical effect" that demonstrates "a high level of pride". The mantra-like quality makes the song instantly memorable, with her name becoming both subject and refrain.

Accordingly, JENNIE's vocal approach combines technical rap skills with deliberate rhetorical choices. Her delivery emphasizes consonants for texture and employs vocal dynamics to maintain engagement. The result is a distinctive sound that balances confidence with authenticity—a vocal signature that continues to evolve beyond her BLACKPINK foundations.

Musical Evolution: From BLACKPINK's Pop Formula to Solo Experimentation

The transition from group member to solo artist reveals JENNIE's willingness to step beyond BLACKPINK's established formula with "Like JENNIE." This shift highlights her artistic independence and showcases a bold musical direction that both honors and transcends her group roots.

BLACKPINK's Signature Sound Elements

BLACKPINK built their empire on a foundation of "maximalism and pandemonium" in the late 2010s. Their tracks traditionally emphasized "huge, and pugnacious, and rowdy" elements that set them apart from more delicate K-pop girl groups. This aggressive sonic approach became their calling card, with ideas arriving "at warp speed" throughout their songs. The group's music remained "nimble and unpredictable" thanks to the balance between vocalists Rosé and Jisoo and rappers Lisa and JENNIE. Additionally, their sound was largely shaped by producer Teddy Park, who became "synonymous with her girl group hits."

Where 'Like JENNIE' Breaks New Ground

"Like JENNIE" represents a significant departure from this established formula. Instead of following BLACKPINK's high-octane pop structure, the track embraces a more experimental approach. For the first time in her career, JENNIE stepped away from working exclusively with Teddy Park, choosing to collaborate with "an eclectic team ranging from Diplo to El Guincho." Consequently, the song incorporates elements not typically found in BLACKPINK's repertoire, allowing JENNIE to explore "different facets of her personality." The track's lyricism also shifts focus toward personal identity and influence, with lines about how there "could never ever be" another JENNIE.

Risk-Taking in Production Choices

JENNIE's bold production decisions demonstrate her growth as an artist. Her debut album Ruby reflects what critics describe as "a kaleidoscope of different sounds," creating "incongruous, polished pleasures." Rather than playing it safe, she embraced an "ambitious and glossy" approach that moves between acoustic ballads, virtuosic rapping, and club-ready beats. This decision to work with international collaborators establishes her as part of a larger movement where all BLACKPINK members are "trying to establish their own voices, and build individual fan bases." Moreover, these solo explorations aren't fragmenting the group but potentially "complementing and even strengthening" BLACKPINK's legacy by showcasing each member's unique artistic identity.

Visual Presentation: How the Music Video Enhances the Song

The "Like JENNIE" music video amplifies the song's impact through striking visuals that complement its confident message. From the first frame to the unexpected finale, every element works in perfect harmony with the track's defiant energy.

Choreography Analysis: Hip-Hop Influences

The choreography emerges as one of the video's defining strengths, with WDBZ dance crew creating what fans describe as "insanely cool" formations. The opening sequence features a dramatic wall of dancers that immediately establishes the video's powerful aesthetic. Throughout the video, JENNIE commands attention with intense, dynamic movements that reflect her hip-hop roots. As she once explained, "What hip-hop is this? I don't know! It's just cool!". This approach manifests in the choreography's sharp transitions and aggressive formations that echo traditional hip-hop movements while adding a distinctly K-pop flair.

Visual Metaphors in the 'Like JENNIE' Video

The video opens with JENNIE as an astronaut in a ruby red suit, symbolizing exploration and new beginnings. This space imagery establishes a theme of transformation that runs throughout the visual narrative. Red appears consistently as a visual motif, representing passion and power. Perhaps most memorably, the video concludes with JENNIE transforming into a capybara—a playful nod to her affection for the animal that has since gone viral on social media. This unexpected ending adds a layer of whimsy to an otherwise fierce presentation.

Styling Choices That Reinforce the Song's Message

Every outfit reinforces the song's bold message, with Park Min-hee carefully curating eight distinct looks. One standout ensemble features the GCDS Kitty Cups Bra (reportedly worth $48,000) layered over a grey Hyein Seo halter top with bold cutouts. This daring combination is completed with oversized grey pants, creating an edgy street-style aesthetic. JENNIE's accessories—including a dramatic silver chain necklace spelling her name—further emphasize the self-referential nature of the song, while her middle-parted braided hairstyle complements the hip-hop inspired choreography.

Technical Strengths and Weaknesses of 'Like JENNIE'

Examining "like JENNIE" from a technical perspective reveals both striking strengths and notable limitations that distinguish this track within the current K-pop landscape.

Length Impact: The Two-Minute Statement

Clocking in at just 2:03, "like JENNIE" challenges conventional song structure expectations. At this brief runtime, critics debate whether it qualifies as a fully-developed song, with some describing it as "more of a statement of intent" than a complete musical offering. This compact approach appears deliberate rather than accidental—a calculated decision to deliver maximum impact in minimum time. As one industry observer noted, making the most of limited time to create the greatest possible impact reflects JENNIE's career philosophy. Nevertheless, this brevity creates a double-edged sword; although the song "really sticks out" despite its short duration, it leaves some listeners wanting more substantial development.

Hook Effectiveness Analysis

The song's central hook—the repetitive "like JENNIE" refrain—receives mixed reactions. Several critics consider it "too cringey to work", with concerns that "its repetition will affect longevity". One reviewer specifically criticized how "without clever lyrics to offset this structure the whole chorus falls off the rails". Conversely, numerous fans embraced this directness, drawing parallels to how they "actually enjoyed the 'SOLO LOLOLO' hook" from JENNIE's previous work. Ultimately, the hook functions as a polarizing element—either brilliantly minimalizing or frustratingly simplistic depending on listener perspective.

Production Quality Compared to Industry Standards

Where "like JENNIE" unquestionably excels is in its production values. Fans consistently rate "the production as a 10", with many arguing that "the instrumental is far more engaging than the song itself". The collaboration with Diplo, along with writing contributions from Tayla Parx and ZICO, "inject extra, irresistible punches" that elevate the track. Yet even this strength comes with technical caveats—some listeners note that "the beat overlay layers too high," creating an occasionally "uncomfortable" listening experience for those seeking more balanced sound design. Still, most agree the track's production quality represents a step forward for K-pop solo offerings.

Global Reception: How 'Like JENNIE' Resonates Worldwide

From critics to casual listeners, "Like JENNIE" has created ripples across the global music landscape since its March 2025 release. The song's unique production style coupled with JENNIE's confident delivery has generated responses ranging from enthusiastic praise to thoughtful critique.

Critical Reviews Analysis

Music publications have offered contrasting perspectives on JENNIE's solo effort. Pitchfork highlighted that among BLACKPINK members, "JENNIE has the most robust individual musical identity" and praised that her songs have a crucial element the others lack: "They sound good". Certain reviewers described "Like JENNIE" as "painfully obvious" in demonstrating what BLACKPINK members needed—"a blistering new style". Meanwhile, other critics pointed out how the track, despite its brevity, serves as "a bold statement piece that reflects JENNIE's growth as an artist".

Fan Response on Social Media

On platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), enthusiasts immediately embraced the track with comments such as "the beat goes insane" and predictions that the song would "go wild on social media". Interestingly, JENNIE herself clarified that the song wasn't necessarily about being like her, explaining in an interview: "I want this to be a confidence boost for people... Love yourself and, you know, have fun in life". This message resonated with fans who created numerous dance challenges, ultimately leading to controversy when some idols faced criticism for their interpretations—criticism that fans noted "goes against everything JENNIE wanted the song to represent".

Chart Performance and Streaming Numbers

The commercial impact of "Like JENNIE" proved substantial. The track helped JENNIE's debut album Ruby reach No. 2 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart, selling 26,500 copies in its first week in the U.S.. Internationally, the album topped iTunes Top Albums Chart in 21 regions. The music video claimed the No. 1 spot on YouTube's trending video charts upon release and generated over 16 million views in its opening days.