Early Life and Education

Jennie Kim was born on January 16, 1996, in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, South Korea. During her childhood, she moved to Auckland, New Zealand, where she spent several formative years and attended school. Her time abroad allowed her to become fluent in English, adding to her proficiency in Korean and her conversational ability in Japanese. She later returned to South Korea to complete her high school education.

Trainee Years and Artistic Development

From the age of 14, Jennie began intensive training in singing and dancing—a journey that lasted nearly six years. These rigorous years at YG Entertainment laid the foundation for her future debut. During her time as a trainee, her talent in rapping and stage performance began to attract industry attention.

Debut with BLACKPINK

Jennie officially debuted as a member of BLACKPINK in August 2016 under YG Entertainment. As the group’s main rapper and one of its lead vocalists, she quickly gained recognition for her dynamic stage presence, multilingual skills, and fashion-forward image. Her flair for rapping earned her praise from music critics, and she is often cited as one of the top female rappers in K-pop.

“YG Princess” and Rising Popularity

Due to her charisma and standout image within the company, Jennie has often been referred to by fans and media as the “YG Princess.” Her influence in both the music and fashion industries bolstered her individual popularity, making her one of the most recognizable faces in K-pop.

Solo Career and Global Appeal

Building on her success with BLACKPINK, Jennie launched her solo career with the single “SOLO” in November 2018. The track achieved commercial success, topping charts in South Korea and abroad. Her solo debut further showcased her versatility as an artist and helped solidify her presence as a global pop figure.