Jennie, Rosé and Lisa of BLACKPINK are pursuing solo careers, but the results have been completely different. While Jennie’s “Mantra” and Rosé’s “APT.” has risen to the top of the charts and made a strong impression, Lisa has faced numerous controversies with her recent released tracked.
Jennie returned with “Mantra” after leaving YG Entertainment to establish her own company. The song quickly reached number one on iTunes in the U.S. and topped several international charts, solidifying her position as a “shining solo artist.” “Mantra” also allowed Jennie to break away from her previous image, showcasing a more confident and bold style that resonated with the public.
Rosé’s solo song “APT.” has also been dominating music charts and digital platforms. The impressive performance of “APT.” reaffirms Rosé’s talent and strengthens her position as the main vocalist of BLACKPINK.
In contrast, Lisa has faced criticism for lip-syncing in performances, including at the Global Citizen Festival, and her music quality has been questioned. Though she was once an international symbol for BLACKPINK, her solo career has yet to meet expectations. Cultural critic Ha Jae-geun observed that Jennie is succeeding in increasing her appeal to the public, while Lisa has encountered many challenges on her solo journey.
When the public compares the solo performances of both, fans are immediately reminded of how Lisa was also compared to Jennie and Rosé when she debuted solo in 2021 with “LALISA.”
At that time, Lisa, who was doing solo promotions 5 years after BLACKPINK’s debut, said, “I’m very nervous and can’t believe it. While practicing the choreography, I thought, ‘Is this the beginning?’ It started to feel real when filming the MV. I’m happy to show you my first solo.”
Before that, BLACKPINK members Jennie and Rosé released their solo albums in 2018 and March 2021, respectively, and broke many records as K-pop female soloists. As the third BLACKPINK member to go solo, Lisa broke all previous records. Her album’s pre-order sales have surpassed 800,000 copies, setting a new record for the number of pre-orders of an album by a female K-pop solo artist.
Lisa shared, “Both Jennie and Rosé did well, so I put in a lot of effort. All of these are for Blinks. “
It’s clear that, even though they are no longer with YG, all four members are working hard to maintain BLACKPINK’s status as the “biggest girl group.” Rosé also revealed that the members will spend one year pursuing individual projects and then regroup for activities together in 2025.
