On May 6, 2025, Jennie, a member of the globally renowned K-pop group BLACKPINK, made a notable appearance on tvN's popular talk show, 'You Quiz on the Block'. This episode aired shortly after her successful solo performance at the prestigious Coachella music festival, marking a significant milestone in her career.
During the show, Jennie reflected on her experience at Coachella, where she performed for an impressive 50 minutes on the 'Outdoor Theatre Stage'. This performance was particularly historic as it made her the first K-pop solo artist to take the main stage at Coachella, a festival often regarded as one of the largest music events in the world. She described the festival as a gathering of diverse artists and genres, held in the desert over two weekends, attracting fans from all over.
"Coachella is one of the biggest music festivals in the world, where a multitude of artists come together in the desert for two weeks," Jennie explained during her appearance. Her performance received rave reviews, with host Yoo Jae-suk praising her as the standout star of the festival. "I truly believe that Jennie was the top star of Coachella 2025," he remarked, even coining the term 'Jencella' to encapsulate her impact at the event.
After her exhilarating performance, Jennie returned to Korea and indulged in a comfort food ritual. She humorously shared, "I ordered six rolls of seaweed rice and ate them with ramen." She expressed her delight at the variety of Korean seaweed rice, particularly her favorite, tuna seaweed rice. "Korea has so many kinds of seaweed rice, so I had to enjoy it," she said, showcasing her love for traditional Korean cuisine.
Despite her recent success, Jennie admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of her career. She candidly shared that the burden of performing solo at such a high-profile event was significant. "It felt like I was showing my bare face for the first time," she said, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster she experienced leading up to her performance.
In a moment of vulnerability, Jennie revealed her feelings of doubt prior to taking the stage. "I kept thinking, 'Will I do well?' and I found myself looking for an escape from that pressure," she confessed. To combat these feelings, she reassured herself before the performance, saying, "You have to believe in yourself. You’ve spent this time for a reason, and these people need to believe in you too." This self-affirmation seemed to resonate deeply with her, as she later expressed a sense of relief and fulfillment after her performance.
One of the most touching moments of her Coachella set came when she performed her last song, 'Starlight'. During this performance, she was overcome with emotion and dedicated the song to her mother, stating, "I wanted to love my mom more." This heartfelt moment brought her to tears, and she humorously recounted her struggle to maintain composure, saying, "I promised myself I wouldn't cry, but seeing my mom there made it impossible not to."
Jennie explained that the lyrics she wrote were inspired by her longing for her mother's support amid the challenges of her career. "I often feel lonely and burdened by my work, and there were times I questioned my path. But I reminded myself that my dream is to live happily with my mom and to be a daughter she can be proud of," she articulated, revealing the personal significance behind her artistry.
As she reflected on her Coachella performance, Jennie described it as a gift to herself, a reward for taking her first steps as a singer. "It feels like a present to the fifteen-year-old me who first dreamed of being a singer. I think it’s the best gift I could give myself, a recognition of how far I’ve come," she said, evoking nostalgia for her early aspirations.
Looking ahead, Jennie is set to continue her busy schedule, with upcoming performances and a highly anticipated BLACKPINK comeback planned for July 2025. Despite her packed itinerary, she expressed a desire to spend more time in Korea, enjoying simple pleasures like relaxing at home and savoring delicious food. "I just want to stay in Korea more, relax at home, and eat delicious food—those are the two things I want to repeat right now," she shared, emphasizing her connection to her roots amidst her global fame.
As Jennie navigates her burgeoning solo career, her heartfelt reflections and dedication to her craft resonate with fans worldwide. Her journey from a young dreamer to a celebrated artist at Coachella serves as an inspiring testament to her talent and perseverance.
