Jennie
Who was Jennie?
South Korean rapper and singer who is a member of the K-pop girl group BLACKPINK and has achieved success as a solo artist.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Jennie (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Jennie Kim, professionally known as Jennie, is a South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter, and actress, born on January 16, 1996, in Gangnam District, Seoul. She became internationally famous as a member of the K-pop group BLACKPINK. They debuted under YG Entertainment in August 2016 and became one of the world's best-selling girl groups. Jennie went solo in November 2018 with her single "Solo," which topped charts in South Korea and the US, and its music video was the first by a Korean female soloist to hit over one billion views on YouTube.
Jennie spent part of her childhood in New Zealand, attending Waikowhai Intermediate School and ACG Parnell College from 2004. She returned to South Korea, where she auditioned successfully for YG Entertainment in 2010. She finished her education at Cheongdam Middle School and Cheongdam High School in Seoul. Her international background helped her become multilingual and increased her global appeal, which greatly benefited her career.
In 2023, Jennie reached new heights in her solo career by starting her own record label, Odd Atelier, moving toward independence while still working with her group. Her singles "You & Me" and "One of the Girls" were hits worldwide, with "You & Me" topping the Billboard Global Excl. US chart. She signed with Columbia Records in 2024, boosting her international presence.
Jennie also branched into acting, debuting as Jennie Ruby Jane in the HBO series "The Idol" in 2023. Her first album "Ruby," released in 2025, sold one million copies globally and was the highest-ranking album by a Korean solo artist on the UK Albums Chart. The album featured several hits, including "Mantra," which was the highest-charting song by a Korean female soloist on the UK Singles Chart, and "Like Jennie," her third number-one single in South Korea. Her remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry were honored in 2023 when she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Before Fame
Jennie's rise to fame began when her family moved to New Zealand in 2004. There, she learned English and got a taste of Western culture, which later helped her global career. As a teenager, she returned to South Korea, aiming to enter the entertainment scene.
In 2010, at 14, Jennie auditioned for YG Entertainment, one of South Korea's top companies known for creating major K-pop acts. She spent six years in intense training, honing her skills in singing, rapping, dancing, and performing with other trainees. This tough preparation is a common part of the Korean entertainment trainee system, turning hopefuls into well-prepared performers ready to debut.
Key Achievements
- First Korean female soloist to surpass one billion YouTube views on a music video with "Solo" (2018)
- Established independent record label Odd Atelier while maintaining successful group career (2023)
- Achieved number one on Billboard Global Excl. US chart with "You & Me" (2023)
- Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to music and cultural exchange (2023)
- Debut album "Ruby" tied record for highest UK Albums Chart position by Korean solo artist (2025)
Did You Know?
- 01.She was the first member of BLACKPINK to release solo music, paving the way for other members' individual projects
- 02.Her music video for "Solo" broke multiple YouTube records and remained the most-viewed video by a Korean female soloist for several years
- 03.She became the youngest recipient of the Member of the Order of the British Empire award in the entertainment category at age 27
- 04.Jennie speaks three languages fluently: Korean, English, and Japanese, due to her international upbringing and career demands
- 05.Her record label name "Odd Atelier" reflects her artistic vision of creating unique, unconventional music outside traditional industry structures
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Member of the Order of the British Empire | 2023 | — |