Jennie Kim (Korean: 김제니; born January 16, 1996) is a South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter, and actress. Born in South Korea, she moved to New Zealand in 2004 and returned to South Korea to successfully audition for YG Entertainment in 2010. She rose to prominence as a member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, which debuted in August 2016 and became one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.
In November 2018, Jennie released her debut single "Solo", which topped South Korea's Circle Digital Chart and the US Billboard World Digital Songs chart; its music video was the first by a Korean female soloist to surpass one billion views on YouTube. Her 2023 single "You & Me" reached number one on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart. Jennie established her own label named Odd Atelier in 2023 and signed with Columbia Records in 2024. Her debut studio album, Ruby (2025), sold one million copies worldwide and tied for the highest position on the UK Albums Chart by a Korean solo artist. It entered the top ten of the US Billboard 200 and spawned the Billboard Global 200 top-five hits "Mantra" and "Like Jennie"; the latter reached number one in South Korea. In 2026, she achieved the longest-charting song by a Korean artist in the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100 with her remix of Tame Impala's "Dracula".
Outside of music, Jennie made her acting debut under the stage name Jennie Ruby Jane in the 2023 HBO television series The Idol. Her accolades include two Korean Music Awards, four Golden Disc Awards, six MAMA Awards, three Melon Music Awards, and a Billboard Women in Music Award. She became the first solo artist to win Artist of the Year at the Golden Disc Awards and Record of the Year at the Melon Music Awards, and the first Korean soloist to win a Billboard Women in Music Award. Jennie has appeared on Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world (2026) and on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 (2025–2026). The most-followed Korean person on Instagram, she is a global ambassador for Chanel and Calvin Klein.
Early life and education
Jennie Kim was born on January 16, 1996, an only child. She was initially reported to be born in Cheongdam-dong, a ward of Gangnam District, Seoul, but she revealed in episode three of Apartment 404 that she was actually born in Bundang in Seongnam. She 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 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, but 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, singing Rihanna's "Take a Bow", and joined 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. The company urged her to embrace the role of a rapper; 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.
Career
2012–2017: Beginnings and debut with Blackpink
On April 10, 2012, Jennie was introduced through a photo titled "Who's that girl?" via the official blog of YG Entertainment. Her photograph soon became the most searched topic on portal sites under the name "Mystery Girl". On August 30, YG Entertainment released a YouTube video through their blog titled "YG Trainee - Jennie Kim", in which she covered B.o.B.'s song "Strange Clouds" featuring Lil Wayne. On September 1, Jennie made her first public appearance as the lead actress in G-Dragon's music video "That XX" from his extended play One of a Kind.
In January 2013, another video titled "Jennie Kim - YG New Artist", in which she covered the song "Lotus Flower Bomb" by rapper Wale, was released. In March, Lee Hi featured Jennie on her B-side track, "Special" from her debut album, First Love. In August, Jennie featured on Seungri's B-side track "GG Be" from his extended play Let's Talk About Love. In September, she featured on G-Dragon's B-side track "Black", recording the hook in less than five days before the release of his album Coup d'Etat. On September 8, she made her first stage appearance alongside G-Dragon on SBS' Inkigayo.
On June 1, 2016, Jennie was the first member to be revealed for YG Entertainment's newest girl group, its first in seven years since 2NE1. On August 8, 2016, she debuted as a member of Blackpink, alongside Jisoo, Rosé and Lisa, with the release of their single album Square One alongside double A-side singles "Boombayah" and "Whistle". According to band-mate Jisoo, Jennie was responsible for the general duties and decision making of the group. Jennie recounted her six-year experience as a trainee through V Live, stating each month a group, dance, and solo song were performed for the label's CEO, producers and artists to watch and evaluate the progress of their training. She also recalled memories preparing outfits and songs, making musical accompaniments, and practicing choreography. In 2018, Blackpink signed with Interscope Records in a global partnership with YG Entertainment.
2018–2021: Rising popularity and solo debut
Jennie appeared with Blackpink member Jisoo on Running Man in July 2018. A video of Jennie crying after going through a horror room with Lee Kwang-soo went viral in South Korea, gaining over one million views on one site and a total of over three million views across multiple platforms, VODs, and social media. She was subsequently selected as one of the best variety stars of 2018 following her discovery on Running Man. Jennie was invited to the show again after attracting attention during her previous appearance. Jennie was said to have ranked first among casting choices and received multiple offers from different variety shows. On October 1, Jennie was confirmed to join as a cast member for SBS' new variety show Village Survival, the Eight, her first permanent casting in a television series.
In mid-October 2018, an announcement of Jennie's official solo debut was made. Following a series of promotional teasers, it was revealed she would release a single album titled Solo with a lead single of the same name. In the midst of preparation for her debut, it was decided that her single "Solo" would first be revealed through Blackpink's In Your Area tour in Seoul on November 10, ahead of release two days later. The song was described as a hip-hop track with pop elements and was designed to showcase Jennie's sides as both a "delicate girl" and "independent woman". To promote the single, YG Entertainment aired the Jennie – 'Solo' Diary series on YouTube, sharing glimpses of her work throughout the promotion period of the single.
Upon release, "Solo" debuted on Gaon Music Chart at number one and achieved a triple crown for simultaneously topping the domestic digital, download, and streaming charts. The single remained on the digital and mobile charts for two further consecutive weeks and on the streaming chart for a further three consecutive weeks. "Solo" was…