Blackpink, one of the most iconic and successful K-pop girl groups of all time, has seen all four talented members—Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa—go solo to varying degrees in the years they’ve been together. Now, the spotlight is currently on Jennie, who may be on the cusp of her first major solo hit.
On October 4, Blackpink made an exciting announcement on the group’s Instagram account. They revealed that Jennie is set to release a new solo single titled “You & Me” on October 6. This announcement comes after months of the singer teasing the tune in various contexts, including during their headlining spot at Coachella.
Jennie’s journey to solo success began in 2018 when she released her debut solo single, the obviously-titled “Solo.” At that time, the landscape of the U.S. music industry was quite different, and K-pop soloists faced significant challenges in breaking into the mainstream. It was a time when solo hits from K-pop stars were rare, and Jennie’s “Solo” faced an uphill battle.
Fast forward to the present, and the situation has changed drastically. The American music industry is now more receptive to K-pop soloists, especially if they have already made a name for themselves and built a following from their work with established groups.
In 2021, Rosé achieved a historic milestone when her single “On the Ground” entered the Hot 100, the ranking of the most-consumed songs in America. That win marked a significant moment for solo women in K-pop, and it was to be only the first taste of solo success among the Blackpink singers.
Fellow Blackpink star Lisa then followed suit, achieving an even more remarkable feat by sending both of her solo singles, “Lalisa” and “Money,” onto the Hot 100. It was a clear sign that American audiences were not only embracing K-pop groups, but also their individual members as solo artists.
In 2023, Jisoo continued the trend with her single “Flower,” which became a global sensation. While it achieved worldwide success, it narrowly missed the Hot 100.
Now, with the United States increasingly open to K-pop groups and their members exploring solo careers, Jennie finds herself in a favorable position. Her upcoming release, “You & Me,” comes hot on the heels of a star-making role in HBO’s The Idol, where she co-starred. While the show may not have been a massive success, it undeniably raised her profile and could provide a significant boost to her solo endeavors.
As Jennie prepares to drop her latest single, her die-hard fans eagerly await the track and the next chapter of her solo career. Will she finally achieve the success she deserves outside of the group that brought her to prominence? With the growing acceptance of K-pop soloists in the U.S., Jennie’s prospects are looking brighter than ever.
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