"Solo"
Digital edition cover
Single by Jennie
Language
  • Korean
  • English
ReleasedNovember 12, 2018 (2018-11-12)
Recorded2018
StudioThe Black Label (Seoul)
Genre
Length2:49
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Teddy
  • 24
Jennie singles chronology
"Solo"
(2018)		 "You & Me"
(2023)
Physical edition cover
Music video
"Solo" on YouTube

"Solo" (stylized in all caps) is the debut solo single by South Korean rapper and singer Jennie, a member of South Korean girl group Blackpink. Released on November 12, 2018, through YG and Interscope, the song was written and produced by Teddy and 24. Musically, "Solo" is a dance, pop, and hip hop song with EDM elements. Its lyrical content revolves around the theme of independence after a break-up.

"Solo" was a commercial success in South Korea, peaking atop the Gaon Digital Chart and the Billboard K-pop Hot 100 for two weeks. Internationally, it became Jennie's first chart-topper on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart in the United States, and debuted on the charts of several other countries, including Canada, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore and the United Kingdom. It has received two platinum certifications from the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA): for selling over 2.5 million digital units, and for surpassing 100 million streams.

An accompanying music video for the song was directed by Han Sa-min and uploaded to Blackpink's YouTube channel simultaneously with the single's release. The video was filmed in the United Kingdom and depicts Jennie's transformation from an innocent to strong independent woman. The video has accumulated more than 900 million views and is the most-viewed video by a K-pop female soloist on the platform.

Recording and composition

In a press conference held on November 12, 2018, Jennie talked about the song's creation, stating, "When I'm at Teddy's studio, he'll make a song and I'll just record the guide for it. It wasn't that he was working on a solo track for me. He just said, 'I have something new, let's try it.' So I recorded the song he had, and it happened to be a great fit".[1] She also described the meaning behind the song as "When you’re dating someone, you tend to present what the other person wants rather than your true self. I wanted to express that feeling. Rather than the heart wound coming from a breakup, I wanted to express myself more freely".[2] While Jennie is not credited as a songwriter, she created the concept behind the song. She told the Hollywood Reporter, "So, I've input a lot of my ideas into the concept, the style and everything. So, I've had a strong connection from the beginning, I guess."[3] Jennie explained how "Solo" was written by Teddy and produced by him alongside 24. The song is composed in the key of E-flat minor in a tempo 95 beats per minute and runs for 2:49.[4] It has been described as a dance, pop and hip hop song, with EDM elements.[5][6] SBS' Kang Kyung-yoon noted that the lyrics follow two themes; a weak introverted girl and an "independent yet strong woman.[6]

Commercial performance

"Solo" debuted at number one on the Gaon Digital Chart on the week ending November 17. Overall, the song stayed in the top ten of the chart for 13 consecutive weeks and spent 33 weeks in the top 100 of the chart. It furthermore topped the component Download and Streaming chart.[7] The CD release of the single charted at no. two of the Gaon Album Chart, selling 45,000 copies in two months making it the 100th best-selling album of 2018.[8] As of April 2021, it sold more than 100,000 copies.[9][10] Eventually "Solo" became the 86th and 35th best-performing song of 2018 and 2019 respectively in South Korea. The song was certified platinum by the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) both for surpassing 100 million streams on June 6, 2019, and for 2.5 million paid digital downloads on March 12, 2020.[11][12] The song entered the Billboard K-pop Hot 100 on the chart issue dated November 24 at number one.[13] The following week it dropped to no. ten, but reached the top again the following week.[14][15] It spent 25 weeks on the chart.[16] The song further reached number one in Singapore and Malaysia.[17][18] In Japan, "Solo" debuted and peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 in the week ending November 26.[19] In the United States, "Solo" debuted atop Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart on the issue dated December 1, 2018. It spent 25 weeks in said chart.[20] The song has sold 10,000 digital copies in the US as of December 2018.[21] "Solo" also reached the single charts in Canada and Scotland, while reaching the UK download component and New Zealand Hot Singles charts.[22][23][24][25] On June 30, 2021, the song surpassed 300 million streams on Spotify, surpassing Psy's "Gangnam Style" in October last year and became the most streamed song by a Korean solo singer.[26]

Release and promotion

Jennie performing "Solo" on April 17, 2019, in Los Angeles.

On October 18, 2018, YG announced that all Blackpink members were preparing solo releases, with Jennie to release a song in November 2018.[27] On October 27, YG released a promotional poster on various social media accounts.[28] A 23-second teaser video was uploaded one day later onto Blackpink's official YouTube channel. The clip shows Jennie lying on a bed and repeatedly mentioning her name.[29] The second teaser was uploaded one week later, showing her performing in various clothes in a photo studio.[30][31] The third and last teaser was uploaded four days prior to the singles release, showing her with different outfits in various locations.[32]

"Solo" was released for digital download and streaming on November 12, 2018, through YG and Interscope. A physical version of the single was released on November 18, 2018, featuring the song and its instrumental. Alongside the CD, a 72-page photobook, a double-sided poster, a random photocard and a lyrics postcard were released in a special version.[33] Because her first appearance as a solo artist on SBS' Inkigayo and MBC Show! Music Core was postponed as broadcasters had cancelled all the performances scheduled for that week, YG Entertainment uploaded choreography videos for the song on YouTube for fans.[34] Its dance was choreographed by Kiel Tutin, Kyle Hanagami, and Shackkings.[35] YG Entertainment then aired the Jennie – 'Solo' Diary series on YouTube, sharing glimpses of her work throughout the promotion period of the single.[36]

Jennie performed "Solo" on several occasions. The single was first performed by Jennie during Blackpink's concert in Seoul's Olympic Gymnastics Arena on November 10 and 11, 2018.[37][30] She performed "Solo" four times in November and December at SBS' Inkigayo and won three times.[38] In the same month, "Solo" was performed at the SBS Gayo Daejeon, alongside "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du". Furthermore, "Solo" was performed during Blackpink's debut Coachella stage on April 12, 2019.[39] A live version of "Solo" which was recorded on December 24, 2018, was included on Blackpink's first live album Blackpink Arena Tour 2018 "Special Final In Kyocera Dome Osaka", which was released on March 22, 2019, through YGEX.[40] On July 2, 2023, Jennie performed "Solo" during Blackpink's set as the headlining act of BST Hyde Park in London.[41]

Remix version

On January 31, 2021, Jennie performed a remix version of "Solo" during Blackpink's livestream concert, The Show.[42] The remix version included a new rap verse written by Jennie and an extended tropical dance break.[43] The remix version of the song was released on June 1, 2021, as part of the live album Blackpink 2021 'The Show' Live.[44]

Music video

An accompanying music video for the song was directed by Han Sa-min and shot in the United Kingdom.[5][45] In July 2020, the music video surpassed 500 million views on YouTube. With the feat, Jennie became the first female Korean soloist to have a 500 million-view music video ever. In March 2023, the music video surpassed 900 million views, making it the first video by a female Korean soloist to reach the mark.[46]

Accolades

Awards for "Solo"
Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2019 Gaon Chart Music Awards Artist of the Year – Digital Music (November) Won [47]
Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Dance Performance Solo Nominated [48]
Song of the Year Nominated
2020 Golden Disc Awards Best Digital Song (Bonsang) Won [49]
Song of the Year (Daesang) Nominated
Music program awards
Program Date Ref.
Inkigayo November 25, 2018 [38]
December 2, 2018
December 16, 2018

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Melon.[50]

Music video
  • Han Sa-min – music video director

Track listing

Digital download and streaming
  • 1. "Solo" – 2:49
CD single
  • 1. "Solo" – 2:49
  • 2. "Solo" (Instrumental) – 2:49

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for "Solo"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA)[64] Platinum 2,500,000*
South Korea
Physical album 		— 213,016[10]
United States — 10,000[65]
Streaming
South Korea (KMCA)[66] Platinum 100,000,000†

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release formats for "Solo"
Region Date Version Format Label Ref.
Various November 12, 2018 Original [67]
November 18, 2018
  • Original
  • Instrumental
 CD [33]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "연습생 6년+블핑 2년→제니 '솔로', 노력은 배신하지 않는다 (종합)". Bnt News. November 12, 2018. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Blackpink, And another Jennie". November 12, 2018. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  3. ↑ Real, Even (December 7, 2018). "How K-Pop Superstars Blackpink Are Rewriting the Girl Group Narrative". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Key, BPM of Solo by Jennie". MusicStax. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  5. 1 2 Herman, Tamar (November 12, 2018). "Blackpink's Jennie Goes 'Solo' in Glam Video: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  6. 1 2 Kang, Kyung-yoon (October 29, 2018). 블랙핑크 제니, 솔로 티저 공개…주근깨 러블리 매력 [Blackpink Jenny, solo teaser released... Freckles lovely charm]. SBS (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Solo"'s chart position in South Korea:
  8. ↑ 2018년 Album Chart [2018 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Gaon Chart Search: Solo (Album)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  10. 1 2 Solo Album Sales: 45,402 (2018) + 12,790 (2019) + 30,279 (2020) + 57,415 (2021) + 16,216 (2022) + 47,887 (2023) + 3,027 (2024)
  11. ↑ "가온 인증: 누적사용량 인증" [Gaon Certification: Streaming]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  12. ↑ "가온 인증: 누적판매량 인증" [Gaon Certification: Download]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Billboard Korea K-pop 100 Chart". Billboard. November 24, 2018. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Billboard Korea K-pop 100 Chart". Billboard. December 1, 2018. Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Billboard Korea K-pop 100 Chart". Billboard. December 8, 2018. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Chart History: Jennie". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  17. 1 2 "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  18. 1 2 "Singapore Top 30 Digital Streaming Chart – Week 46" (PDF). Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 22, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Hot 100". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 26, 2020. Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Chart History: Jennie". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  21. ↑ Real, Evan (December 7, 2018). "How K-Pop Superstars Blackpink Are Rewriting the Girl Group Narrative". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  22. 1 2 "Jennie Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  23. 1 2 "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  24. 1 2 "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  25. 1 2 "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 16, 2018. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  26. ↑ Lee, Seung-hoon (July 1, 2021). "블랙핑크 제니, 스포티파이 韓 솔로 최초 아티스트 등극..'SOLO' 3억 스트리밍 [공식]" [BLACKPINK Jennie becomes the first solo artist in Korea on Spotify..'SOLO' 300 million streaming [Official]]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  27. ↑ Kim, Hye-soo (October 18, 2018). "Black Pink members gear up to appear solo". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  28. ↑ "블랙핑크 제니, 첫 솔로곡명은 'SOLO'..테디와 의기투합 [공식입장]" [Blackpink's Jenny to release Teddy produced first song 'Solo' [Official announcement]] (in Korean). OSEN. October 27, 2018. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Jennie – 'Solo' Teaser Video #1". YG Entertainment, Interscope Records. October 28, 2018. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019 – via YouTube.
  30. 1 2 Lee, Min-young (November 4, 2018). "Blackpink Jennie's second solo teaser out [Video]". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Jennie – 'Solo' Teaser Video #2". YG Entertainment, Interscope Records. November 2, 2018. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2019 – via YouTube.
  32. ↑ Marie, Annie (November 9, 2018). "Black Pink singer Jennie teases solo music video". UPI. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  33. 1 2 "BLACKPINKからソロ・デビューするジェニー、ソロ・デビュー曲 "SOLO"のCD付き1stフォトブック" (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. November 18, 2018. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  34. ↑ "제니 "'SOLO' 첫 방송은 일주일 후"..코레오 얼터니트 버전 추가 공개". OSEN. November 17, 2018. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  35. ↑ Hong Young-jun (November 13, 2018). "[SQ현장] 'SOLO' 발매한 제니 '블랙핑크' 타이틀 속 매력 극대화 '100% 담았다'" [[SQ Field] Jennie released 'SOLO' Maximizing charm in 'Blackpink' title '100% packed']. Sports Q (in Korean). Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  36. ↑ "제니 'SOLO' 다이어리 공개...英 런던 MV 촬영 엿보기". Sports Chosun. November 18, 2018. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Jennie – 'Solo' Performance [In your area] Seoul". YG Entertainment, Interscope Records. November 21, 2018. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019 – via YouTube.
  38. 1 2 "Solo"'s Inkigayo performances and wins:
  39. ↑ Ginsberg, Gab (April 13, 2019). "Blackpink Rule Coachella With Electrifying Debut Performance". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  40. ↑ "Live DVD & Blu-Ray [Blackpink Arena Tour 2018 "Special Final In Kyocera Dome Osaka"]" (in Japanese). YGEX. March 22, 2019. Archived from the original on June 8, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  41. ↑ Savage, Mark (July 2, 2023). "Blackpink make UK festival history with electrifying K-pop set in Hyde Park". BBC News. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  42. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (March 4, 2021). "Blackpink's Rosé Reveals Solo Debut Release Date, Title & First Single". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  43. ↑ Hana Young (January 31, 2021). "[공연뷰] 수식어가 필요없는 'BLACK PINK' 그 자체" [[Performance Review] 'BLACKPINK' itself that doesn't need modifiers]. Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023 – via Digital Chosun.
  44. ↑ "Blackpink 2021 [The Show] Live CD". YG. June 11, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
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  46. ↑ "Jennie's 'SOLO' MV tops 900 mln YouTube views". Yonhap News Agency. March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  47. ↑ Hwang, Ji-hye (January 23, 2019). [2019 가온차트] 디지털 베스트 11월, 제니 '솔로' [[Gaon Chart Music Awards] Jennie's "Solo" Best Digital Song of November]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  48. ↑ Katreena Cabico, Gaea (October 25, 2019). "List: Official nominees for 2019 Mama". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  49. ↑ Hwang, Ji-hye (January 4, 2020). [2020 골든디스크] 청하X블랙핑크 제니, 본상 수상 '솔로퀸 활약' [[2020 Golden Disc Awards] Chungha x Blackpink's Jennie, Bonsang Award for SOlo]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2021 – via Naver.
  50. ↑ "Solo – 제니 (Jennie)" (in Korean). Melon. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  51. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
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  53. ↑ "Digital Chart – Week 46 of 2018" (in Korean). Gaon Digital Chart. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  54. ↑ "Jennie Chart History (Billboard K-Pop 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  55. ↑ "Solo". November 22, 2018. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  56. ↑ "Jennie Chart History (World Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  57. ↑ "Jennie Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  58. ↑ 2018년 11월 Digital Chart [November 2018 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019.
  59. ↑ 2018년 11월 Album Chart [November 2018 Album Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021.
  60. ↑ "2018년 Digital Chart" [Digital Chart – 2018] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  61. ↑ "2018년 Album Chart". Gaon. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  62. ↑ "2019년 Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  63. ↑ "World Digital Song Sales - 2019". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  64. ↑ "South Korean single certifications – Jennie – SOLO" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  65. ↑ Real, Evan (December 7, 2018). "How K-Pop Superstars BLACKPINK Are Rewriting the Girl Group Narrative". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  66. ↑ "South Korean single streaming certifications – Jennie – SOLO (Streaming)" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  67. ↑ "Jennie – Solo – Single". YG Entertainment, Interscope. November 12, 2018. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019 – via iTunes Store.
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