At 9 AM on October 11 (KST), Jennie officially released her single “Mantra”, marking her return after 8 years since her first solo promotion with “SOLO”. The “Mantra” MV is also the first product in a long-term album project produced by Jennie and the OddAtelier team.
The single, entirely in English and released at international time, clearly shows the BLACKPINK rapper’s goal of “going global”. Through it, Jennie confidently asserts her status as a global star with the “Mantra” MV.
As expected, “Mantra” is a catchy, dynamic, and trendy song—exactly in line with Jennie’s musical style and identity. Jennie participated in writing her debut single post-YG. The music team is entirely composed of an international crew. “Mantra” is Jennie’s personal “mantra,” aiming to spread a positive message, celebrating strength and inspiring every girl to confidently shine in their own way.
In particular, lyrics such as “Pretty girls packed in a Defender, know I’ma defend her, never let her catch no stray” shows a strong sense of “pretty girls” standing together, while other lines flaunt a female vitality.
Although it’s under three minutes, “Mantra” is enough for Jennie to showcase her vocal and rap strengths. The beat, supported by percussion and strings, enhances Jennie’s unique vocals.
Overall, both the production and composition of “Mantra” leave little room for criticism. However, its brevity may leave listeners wanting more of the captivating melody. Indeed, “Mantra” feels like an enchanting “spell” that keeps fans hitting replay.
In terms of the MV, Jennie went all out with high-end visuals that resemble a luxurious fashion film, shot entirely in the U.S. As previously teased, Jennie easily turns the “Mantra” MV into a personal runway with five stunning looks.
True to her title as Korea’s top “IT girl,” Jennie’s styling changes rapidly, each fresh and highlighting her artistic persona. Every outfit change is accompanied by a new luxury car, leaving fans stunned by the extravagance of this global idol.
It is known that Jennie teamed up with Tanu Muino, the Grammy-winning director for Best Music Video, in this comeback. Tanu Muino is also behind Harry Styles’ “As It Was” and Jung Kook’s “Standing Next to You”. Jennie’s careful selection of her team for her first solo project post-YG is evident.
From the settings, colors, and fiery body shots, Jennie delivers a high-quality visual experience for her fans who have eagerly awaited her return. The wait was truly worth it. Both musically and visually, Jennie truly “ate and left no crumbs”!
With an American-inspired, stylish production, Jennie is aiming for the global market while also promoting in Korea.
In fact, Jennie now presents the image of an independent, confident woman, succeeding in her role as a top music star. The “Mantra” MV garnered 1 million views within an hour of release, ranking #1 on the sales charts in China and climbing the music charts in Korea. On MelOn Top 100, “Mantra” debuted at #41, proving that Jennie’s appeal in Korea remains strong even with an English track.
Source: Daum, K14