It's Really Not That Deep
With the release of Mantra in October 2024, Jennie Kim once again dominates the music and fashion worlds, channeling a fierce confidence, delivering seductive lyrics, and donning irresistible outfits.
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We’ve reached a point in the music industry where fame and fashion are inseparable. Few, however, have managed to capture both with the magnetic elegance that Jennie Kim naturally exudes. A member of the global sensation BLACKPINK, Jennie has transcended the borders of K-pop to carve a place for herself as a solo artist, fashion muse, and cultural icon.
Her journey from an idol in one of the most successful girl groups in history to a solo powerhouse began in 2018 with her debut single, aptly titled SOLO. The song's fusion of hip-hop beats, pop melodies, and lyrics of self-empowerment resonated globally, helping it become a certified hit – which was undoubtedly aided by the iconic choreography courtesy of Kiel Tutin, Kyle Hanagami, and Shackkings. The music video for SOLO was nothing short of a visual spectacle, with Jennie effortlessly transitioning between the ethereal elegance of a couture muse and the fierce energy of a street-style queen across a variety of locations.
Five years after SOLO, in October 2023, Jennie released her much-anticipated second single You & Me, which showcased her softer side in what was described as a "sultry" dance-pop and "dreamy" song driven by synth sounds, highlighting her vocal growth and ability to convey emotional storytelling. Accompanied by a dance performance video directed by Lee Han Gyeol, known for being the mind behind iconic clips for artists such as CL and BTS, the track is a love song where Jennie expresses falling for the person she's singing to and being willing to let go of any fears. Besides, the creator of Sailor Moon, Naoko Takeuchi, drew the single’s cover especially for Jennie. I mean, talk about ICONIC.
2023 also saw Jennie’s acting debut in The Idol, HBO's series from Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, another major step in her solo career. Playing the role of Dyanne, Jennie immersed herself in a world of Hollywood excess, fame, and the darker undercurrents of the entertainment industry. The show, which also stars Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd, received significant media attention and, well, a mixed critical response. But despite the show’s reception, The Idol solidified Jennie’s place as a global cultural figure, also because she was featured on its soundtrack with "One of the Girls,” a track that managed to bring a unique synergy between her and The Weeknd’s – who she collaborated with on the project – distinct styles.
So it is more than comprehensible that expectations were sky-high for the singer’s solo comeback. And with her latest single, Mantra, Ms. Jennie Kim proves once again why she’s a musical force and a fashion icon. Released in October 2024, the “pretty-girl anthem” marks a defining moment in her solo career, catapulting to No. 1 on the Billboard Global charts almost immediately after its release. The song opens with a hypnotic beat driven by brass instrumentals, inviting listeners into a lush soundscape of seductive whispers and laid-back synths. There’s an undeniable allure to the way Jennie delivers the lyrics. This is the kind of song that commands attention in the way only a true femme fatale can, but beneath the hard-hitting delivery lies a message of unapologetic self-empowerment: “This that pretty-girl mantra / this that flaunt ya, just touched down in L.A. / Pretty girls don't do drama 'less we wanna / it'll be depending on the day” and “It's not that deep I'm not that drunk / Sometimes, girls just gotta have fun.” Jennie is done with self-doubt, and she’s not here to play nice; she’s feeling herself, and y’all better let her!!!
But if we know anything about Jennie, it’s that she doesn’t stop at the music. The Mantra music video is a runway-ready masterpiece, blending high fashion with visually arresting storytelling on the background of a trendy L.A. And let’s talk about the hair: Jennie’s unexpected blonde transformation is the ultimate mic drop moment. This hair switch-up serves as a visual, literal metaphor for her reinvention.
It’s no surprise that the outfits seen in the music video are curated by some of the biggest names in luxury fashion, which help the South Korean star wear confidence. With a little help from her stylist, Park Min Hee, Jennie moves seamlessly between ultra-feminine street-style pieces and showstopping couture looks, showcasing a versatility that few can match. She starts off with a scene-stealing moment, rocking a Kitschy Couture ruffled lingerie-style dress hot off the Berlin Fashion Week runway. She stuns in a printed V-neck top paired with the iconic, barely-there Rokyo mini swim shorts by label Raga Malak, founded by creative director Gadir Rajab and his best friend Raquelle Saba, which is becoming a staple for pop girlies. During the choreography, she turns up the heat in a striking Acne Studios leather bodysuit, priced at a cool $2,300. Now, Chanel and Jennie have always been a match made in fashion heaven, and she didn’t forget about the French Maison, slipping on a long Chanel necklace in a subtle yet impactful accessory that adds a touch of elegance for a meager price tag of $4,400.
What’s clear from the Mantra video is that Jennie’s style choices are never arbitrary, conveying confidence, sensuality, and liberation that she can now fully enjoy, having been (somewhat) released from YG’s tight grip. What makes Jennie so captivating is her ability to tell a story through fashion, and her latest musical endeavor shows that she’s a woman in control of her own narrative. One thing is clear: Jennie’s star power, both in music and fashion, is unstoppable. And she’s coming to prove it.
