Blackpink’s Jennie signs solo deal with Columbia Records, new single set for October release

Blackpink’s Jennie Kim has signed a solo deal with Columbia Records, in partnership with her entertainment company Oddatalier. The announcement, made on Sunday, revealed that Jennie will release her first solo single in October. Jennie, who rose to prominence as a member of Blackpink in 2016, has made significant strides both as part of the group and as an individual artist.

Jennie collaborated with The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp last year on the track "One of the Girls" and made her acting debut in HBO’s controversial series The Idol. She discussed her acting ambitions on BBC Sounds’ Dua Lipa: At Your Service podcast, explaining her desire for authenticity in her new career venture. "When I decide to really go for it, I know I need to do it right… I really was being patient with my first ever acting job," she said.

Born in South Korea, Jennie spent five years in Auckland, New Zealand before returning to her home country, where she joined YG Entertainment’s talent academy. Blackpink, the group she helped form in 2016, has become a global sensation, breaking records, including being the first Korean female act to have five music videos surpass one billion views on YouTube.

As Jennie prepares to embark on her solo music career, her partnership with Columbia Records marks a significant step, further establishing her presence as a solo artist outside of Blackpink.