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BLACKPINK Jennie Seemingly Confirms Solo Album in Recent Usher Interaction

BLACKPINK’s Jennie recently engaged in a conversation with global superstar Usher at a Chanel event in Paris, and their exchange has ignited excitement and speculation about Jennie’s future in music, especially in light of discussions surrounding the group’s contract renewal with YG Entertainment. Could Jennie Kim release a solo album in the near future?

Did BLACKPINK Member Jennie Tell Usher She Is Currently Working on A Solo Album?

Jennie is set to release a special single titled “You & Me” following her captivating performance of the song at the BORN PINK shows, which resonated deeply with the audience. However, it appears that this single may not be the only surprise in store for fans.

Amidst the anticipation of her new single and ongoing contract negotiations, Jennie seems to have future plans already in motion. The intriguing revelation emerged during her attendance at the Chanel fashion show on October 3, where she interacted with various celebrities, including Usher.

A video clip capturing their conversation has sparked enthusiasm for Jennie’s upcoming endeavors. In the video, Usher discusses the possibility of the idol’s future album and expresses his interest in collaborating with Jennie. While it’s not uncommon for stars to express a desire to collaborate with idols, it was Jennie’s response that stirred excitement. She shared, “Right now, I’ve started working on mine…” Although she didn’t explicitly mention an album, her response strongly suggested that she is indeed working on a musical project, aligning with Usher’s earlier remarks.

Jennie’s potential collaboration with Usher and her ongoing musical pursuits are generating anticipation and curiosity among fans, who eagerly await further updates on her exciting journey in the music industry.

For now, YG Entertainment has not yet confirmed whether Jennie is releasing any new music other than “You & Me”. However, BLINKs are already anticipating an official announcement in the next few weeks.

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Look: Here Are the K-pop Acts Nominated for the 2023 MTV EMAs

K-pop has once again proved its global influence in the music industry. After numerous recognitions at the recently held 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), K-pop acts are now set to bag a new set of awards at the 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs).

On Tuesday, October 3, Billboard Brazil unveiled the list of nominations for the upcoming EMAs. 

According to MTV, the EMAs will be an event to celebrate the work of global artists with awards and legendary performances from international music icons. Notably, several K-pop acts made it to the record.

Who are nominated for 2023 MTV EMAs?

Topping the list are BTSJungkook and TOMORROW X TOGETHER. Both HYBE artists garnered a total of three nominations each.

Jungkook, the youngest member of the sensational group BTS, has been nominated for the Best K-pop and Biggest fans categories. He will also compete for the Song of the Year category for his digital single “Seven featuring Latto. Furthermore, this is Jungkook’s first EMA nomination as a solo artist. 

Just last month, Jungkook took home the MTV VMAs Song of the Summer award for the said track.

Meanwhile, boy group TOMORROW X TOGETHER also earned nominations for the following categories: Best K-pop, Best Push Artist, and Best Group. At the MTV VMAs, the Sugar Rush Ride” singers bagged the Push Performance of the Year award.

Meanwhile, “Super” hitmakers SEVENTEEN and monster rookies NewJeans took two nods each, both for the Best K-pop and Best Group categories.

In addition, “Next Level singers aespa also earned a nod for Best Group, while BLACKPINK is nominated for Biggest Fans category. Moreover, groups FIFTY FIFTY and Stray Kids will also compete for the Best K-Pop category.

Meanwhile, boy group TREASURE has been nominated in the Best Asia Act category as South Korea’s sole representative.

The 2023 MTV EMAs will take place in Paris, France on November 5. Fans can vote for their favorite acts on the MTV EMAs official website until October 31, 11:59 pm. Who are you rooting for among these nominees? 

Featured image: BTS’ Jungkook during filming of his digital single ‘Seven.’ Credit: Facebook/BTS

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BLACKPINK’s Jennie to Release ‘You & Me’ on October 6

It’s finally happening, BLINKs! Jennie of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK is officially releasing her digital single “You & Meon Friday, October 6. 

YG Entertainment made the announcement on Wednesday, October 4, by sharing a teaser for the special single. In the photo, Jennie is seen sporting a red dress while posing against a moon backdrop. 

For those unfamiliar, Jennie first performed “You & Me” in October 2022 during BLACKPINK’s Born Pink world concert tour. Since then, she’s been performing it as her solo stage for all the other concert stops. Interestingly, the teaser gave off similar vibes from her performance on the Born Pink stage. 

Aside from their concert, Jennie has also performed a remix version of “You & Me” during BLACKPINK’s performance in Coachella. 

In a press release, YG Entertainment revealed that they decided to officially release the single as a way to show their gratitude to fans who supported the group’s historic Born Pink concert. 

“We hope it will serve as a special memento, rekindling the emotion of that time,” they added. 

Prior to the official announcement, eagle-eyed fans have noticed that the remix version of the track has been registered in ASCAP or the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. 

Jennie’s career as a solo artist

Since the announcement, fans took to social media to express their excitement in finally having “You & Me” as an official release. 

It will serve as Jennie’s first official solo release since she made her solo debut in 2018 with Solo. 

Outside of her activities as BLACKPINK, Jennie also collaborated with The Weeknd and Lily Rose-Depp for a soundtrack for the HBO series THE IDOL. Titled One of the Girls,” the track was released in June.

Notably, said track entered Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart at No. 11 for the week of July 6 to 12. Which led to Jennie being the first South Korean female soloist to hit one of Billboard’s music charts. 

Moreover, fans are considering this as a sign for more solo releases from Jennie. In September, the BLACKPINK member said in an interview that she’s working on a new, “unique” solo album. 

What’s next for Jennie? 

Another reason why fans are looking forward to Jennie’s release of “You & Me” is because it’s the latest project between YG Entertainment and a BLACKPINK member amidst discussions about contract renewal. 

Since the group’s seven-year contract with the agency ended in August, fans and media have been anticipating whether all BLACKPINK members will renew with the agency. Recently, there’s been reports that only Rosé will renew, while the rest of the members will continue their career elsewhere.

Moreover, other reports claimed that Jennie is planning to establish her own agency. However, YG Entertainment reiterated that no final decision has been made yet. 

Currently, Jennie also appears to be focusing on other ventures as she attends several fashion events. As proof of her global influence, she also was recently included in the Top 50 Most Influential Women list of 2023.

Featured image: YG Entertainment shares teaser for Jennie’s ‘You and Me’ single. Credit: Twitter/BLACKPINK

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BLACKPINK Jennie Attends Balenciaga Afterparty in Paris

BLACKPINK’s Jennie recently found herself at the center of intrigue when fans spotted her at a designer brand event in Paris, a brand she isn’t officially affiliated with. Known for her status as an ambassador for prestigious brands like Calvin Klein and Chanel, it was a surprising sight for netizens to see Jennie allegedly attending a Balenciaga afterparty in the City of Lights.

BLACKPINK’s Jennie Makes an Appearance At Balenciaga Afterparty

Jennie’s presence in Paris was associated with Fashion Week, where she appeared to be thoroughly enjoying her time. She even attended fellow BLACKPINK member Lisa’s electrifying Crazy Horse performance. On October 2, photos surfaced, leaving BLINKs buzzing with speculation. Though the snapshots were not crystal clear, many keen-eyed fans identified Jennie by her distinctive hairstyle and outfit.

Further confirmation seemed to emerge when BLINKs traced the original source of the photos, which indicated that indeed Jennie had graced the Balenciaga afterparty following the brand’s October 1 show.

The surprise of Jennie’s attendance at the event prompted widespread curiosity, especially given her existing affiliations with various designer labels. However, astute observers began to connect the dots. Notably, Jennie’s circle of friends, including Haze, Fai Khadra (who had a noteworthy model debut), and Rachel Senott, were also present. This led fans to deduce that Jennie was there, not as a brand ambassador, but as a loyal friend and supporter.

While the idea of Jennie collaborating with Balenciaga would undoubtedly excite many, it appears that her motive was simply to stand by her friends. It’s a testament to Jennie’s genuine and steadfast character, where she consistently finds ways to lend her support to those close to her. BLINKs, the dedicated fans of BLACKPINK, continue to admire Jennie not only for her fashion-forward style but also for her unwavering loyalty to her friends in the fashion world.

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BLACKPINK’s Jisoo Spotted in Paris Having Dinner With Korean Actress

Jisoo is currently in the romantic city of Paris and it looks like she caught up with another South Korean actress. The BLACKPINK member was recently spotted enjoying a delightful dinner with “Love Alarm” star Go Min Si. The revelation confirms an unexpected yet welcome friendship between the two women.

BLACKPINK’s Jisoo Spotted in Paris With Korean Actress Go Min Si

On September 28, Jisoo took to her Instagram story to share a glimpse of their Parisian rendezvous. The BLACKPINK member shared a photo of herself dining at a chic French restaurant, dressed casually yet exuding charm. In a gesture of camaraderie, Jisoo credited Korean actress Go Min Si as the photographer behind the captivating shot.

Not surprisingly, Go Min Si reciprocated the sentiment by posting a similar Instagram story update. The “Sweet Home” actor also tagged Jisoo and acknowledged the “Flower” singer as the talented photographer who captured a lovely candid moment during their dinner.

gominsi/Instagram

Both celebrities are currently in Paris for various engagements associated with ‘Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2024.’ Notably, on the same day, Jisoo attended the renowned Parisian cabaret Crazy Horse to support her fellow BLACKPINK member Lisa, underlining the strong bond that exists among the idols both on and off the stage. This heartwarming encounter in the City of Love offers a glimpse into the genuine connections forged in the world of entertainment.

Go Min Si is known for her work in films like “Parallel Novel”, “Cheese in the Trap”, “Set Play”, and “Decision to Leave”. She also notably appeared in TV shows like “My Sassy Girl”, “Welcome to Waikiki”, “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes”, and “Jirisan”. Go is currently expected to reprise her role as Lee Eun-yoo in the second season of the Netflix series “Sweet Home” and is currently working on the show’s Season 3.

Jisoo was recently confirmed for a cameo appearance in the film “Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman”. The BLACKPINK member was also revealed to play a traditional Korean fairy in the upcoming movie.

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BLACKPINK’s Lisa Earns Praises for Her Crazy Horse Performance

Lisa of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK made history anew as she officially became the first idol to perform at the prestigious Crazy Horse in Paris.

On Wednesday, September 28, the Thai rapper officially made her debut performance in Crazy Horse.

According to earlier reports, the “Moneyhitmaker will headline five iconic performances between September 28 to 30. 

What we know about Crazy Horse

For those unfamiliar, Crazy Horse in Paris is a well-known cabaret famous for its alluring stage performances featuring nude female dancers. 

Aside from Lisa, international celebrities like Beyonce, Aubade, and Frederick Wiseman, have all previously performed at the art theater.

In an interview with ELLE, Andrée Deissenberg, the show’s chief creative and brand officer, shared how Lisa’s participation in Crazy Horse came to be. 

According to Diessenberg, the K-pop star has been a huge fan of the show even beforehand. Prior to being part of it, Lisa had already gone to see the show several times and met the performers backstage. 

Moreover, Diessenberg continuously praised Lisa for her dedication in delivering a good show. “She stayed in Paris and practiced repeatedly. She’s done very well, professionally. We practiced during their Paris concert in July, and we kept the whole process a secret,” she said. 

Additionally, she revealed that Lisa was also proactive in terms of planning the overall production. And contrary to the tradition of having solo performances, the star opted to perform with existing dancers instead. 

Days before her first show, Lisa also took to social media to share her excitement for her performance. 

“Can’t wait for this to finally happen,” she wrote, alongside photos of her from the venue.

 

Reaction on Lisa’s performance

Since her participation in Crazy Horse was announced, it drew mixed reactions from fans and strangers alike. 

Several were debating whether it’s too much of a risque performance. While many were supportive of Lisa expanding her craft. 

Since recording devices weren’t allowed during the show, fans who watched Lisa’s debut performance shared their thoughts on social media instead. 

Most of them were complimenting Lisa, and even shared snippets from what happened to the show. 

Earlier, it was reported Lisa will be performing classics including “But I’m a Good Girl” and Crisis? What Crisis?” And according to those who were able to watch the show, she had four solo numbers. 

Aside from her performances though, another highlight was her fellow BLACKPINK members Jisoo and Rosé showing support for her. 

Featured image: BLACKPINK’s Lisa teases her ‘Crazy Horse’ cabaret performance in Paris. Credit: Instagram/Lisa

 

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BLACKPINK’s Rosé Breaks Silence on Taylor Swift’s Listening Party

People are still talking about the possibility that Taylor Swift is collaborating with BLACKPINK’s Rosé on an upcoming project. After all, the “Gone” singer had been spotted leaving a celebrated recording studio with Swift. So is there any truth to Roseanne Park being involved in the “Bad Blood” singer’s next album? The idol has finally broken her silence about the so-called listening party she attended.

The internet was buzzing with excitement when a video surfaced showing BLACKPINK member Rosé and Taylor Swift leaving the same location. In the video, Rosé can be seen departing from Electric Lady Studios in NYC. Shortly afterwards, Swift also exits the same studio and enters a separate car.

While the video doesn’t offer much detail, fans couldn’t help but be intrigued by the possibility of a collaboration between these two artists, igniting rampant speculation. The rumors gained momentum as it’s widely known that Taylor Swift is actively working on a new album, adding fuel to the belief of a potential joint project with Rosé. Music enthusiasts and fans of both artists eagerly await any official announcements or updates regarding this intriguing possibility.

BLACKPINK’s Rosé Finally Addresses Taylor Swift’s Listening Party

Since then, Rosé has been quiet about the incident. However, that changed when the idol’s fansite Récord had a unique opportunity to engage with the idol directly on the matter while accompanying her to the airport. During their walk to her gate, they engaged in a conversation with her, covering a range of topics, including her recent mosquito bite and the ongoing speculations about a potential collaboration with Taylor Swift.

“I think it was just a party that we had amongst ourselves. But the wrong news got out,” Rosé said.

It’s an interesting confirmation and we’re certainly happy to Rosé being able to attend the listening party. In the meantime, Taylor Swift is currently set to release ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ which was a re-recording of her 2014 album.  The album is set to contain five previously unreleased “From the Vault” tracks.

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First Look: Blackpink’s Jisoo in the Film ‘Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman’

Watch out, BLINKs! Jisoo of the global girl group BLACKPINK attracts attention once again but this time, for her special appearance in the film Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman. 

Directed by Kim Sung Sik, the film will tell the story of Dr. Cheon, played by actor Kang Dong Won, and his fake exorcism rituals. Here, Jisoo appears as a traditional fairy, captivating the viewers with her exceptional beauty.

During the film’s press conference, the director shared that while looking for an actress who would fit the image of a fairy, he thought of Jisoo after watching her in Snowdrop. Notably, the action-romance series marked Jisoo’s acting debut. There, she gained recognition for her performance in her first ever main role.

Meanwhile, her cameo appearance in Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman would serve as her first participating in a movie. Despite it only being a brief stint, fans are eager to see Jisoo  for her acting comeback. 

The Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman  is set to hit theaters on September 27.

All praises for actress Jisoo in Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman

Since the news of Jisoo’s cameo was revealed, she has since earned praises from numerous big names in the industry.

Upon watching the special premiere, award-winning director Park Chan Wook gained attention for his remarks on Jisoo. The director was quite impressed with the singer. He is known to have created the masterpieces Oldboy, The Handmaiden, and Decision to Leave,

According to Park Chan Wook, he was shocked by the singer’s appearance. “Since it’s a small role, I thought a minor actor would take on the role. But while watching, I thought, “Was there such a beautiful minor actor?” and was shocked for a second, he said.

Meanwhile, Esom, Jisoo’s fellow co-star in the Snowdrop drama,  also expressed approval of the idol. “I wondered who could portray the fairy character if it were not Jisoo. That’s how beautiful she was,” the actress said in an interview. 

Other reviews from several Korean media outlets also showered Jisoo with positive comments.

Jisoo is a character that cannot help but catch your attention, and the moment you meet her, the atmosphere in the theater is buzzing, raising expectations”, television network JTBC mentioned.

 

To no surprise, BLINKs, BLACKPINK’s fandom, also complimented Jisoo for her work as well. 

While the group is in the midst of their contract renewal process, fans are speculating that Jisoo will sign with an acting agency. As of writing,YG Entertainment reiterates that there’s still no final details about the group’s contract renewal.

Featured image: BLACKPINK’s Jisoo will portray a fairy in ‘Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman’ movie. Credit: Article/Naver

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aespa’s Karina Confirms Friendship With BLACKPINK’s Jisoo

It’s not unusual for idols to become friends with each other. After all, most of them start out as fans who want to become just like the person they look up to. However, Karina has achieved something that most BLINKs can only aspire to. The aespa member confirmed that BLACKPINK’s Jisoo initiated their friendship by contacting Karina first!

Karina Reveals Jisoo Contacted Her First

aespa might be an established idol group but the members still look up to successful artists. For instance, Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning were recently spotted attending BLACKPINK’s finale concert for the BORN PINK World Tour in Seoul. As it turns out, the younger idols were invited by Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa to the concert. This led to some awesome interactions with aespa.

However, it looks like there was a good reason why aespa was invited in the first place. Karina has confirmed her close friendship with one of the BLACKPINK members.

“I got close to Jisoo unnie,” Karina recently revealed. “Unnie told me that she liked me and contacted me first.”

This is an awesome revelation confirming that Karina is one of the most successful fans of all time. With that in mind, BLINKs are loving how the members of aespa truly look up to and respect BLACKPINK.

The BORN PINK World Tour kicked off on October 15, 2022, in Seoul, South Korea, and concluded on September 17, 2023, also in Seoul. This extensive tour included 66 concerts held in 34 different cities across 22 countries worldwide. It proved to be a massive success, drawing a total attendance of 1.8 million fans, setting a remarkable record as the most-attended concert tour by a K-pop girl group. The tour not only showcased BLACKPINK’s immense popularity and global reach but also provided unforgettable experiences for fans from all corners of the globe.

In the meantime, aespa released “Better Things” on August 18. It is the group’s first original English single and their second release of 2023. To promote the song, aespa aired a web series of the same title.

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YG Entertainment: Blackpink Contract Renewal Still Ongoing

BLINKs, it seems like there’s a few more days of uncertainties as YG Entertainment revealed that the discussion on the BLACKPINK members’ contract renewal is still underway. 

On Thursday, September 21, the agency responded to reports and rumors surrounding the possible departure of several BLACKPINK members from YG Entertainment. 

Currently, BLACKPINK’s contract renewal has not been confirmed and is being discussed,” the label told Korean media. 

Rumors surrounding BLACKPINKs move 

At first, it was only member Lisa who was initially rumored to be not renewing her contract. 

Several reports and “industry insiders” have claimed that the Thai rapper has rejected two offers from YG. One of the alleged contracts is reportedly worth 50 billion South Korean won. 

Furthermore, other reports are claiming that Lisa might sign with an American agency instead. Aside from the worth of the contract, the deal also promises business and promotional opportunities for the artist. 

However, recent circulating reports are claiming that only member Rosé will be re-signing with YG Entertainment. Which means that Jennie and Jisoo will also leave the agency, aside from Lisa. 

According to the Daily Sports Seoul, the three members are in the final negotiations with other agencies. In the report, it also claimed that Jisoo is planning to expand her acting career. 

In response to these rumors, YG Entertainment reiterated that nothing has been finalized yet regarding the members’ contract. 

What future awaits BLACKPINK? 

For months, the ongoing saga about BLACKPINK’s contract renewal has caught the attention of the media. Given that the group marked their seventh debut anniversary on August 8, those familiar with the industry know that BLACKPINK’s renewal news is just around the corner. 

With the group primarily focusing on wrapping up their BORN PINK world tour, industry insiders are expecting that the announcement might be delayed until September or October. 

While many are already keen that most of the members will leave YG Entertainment, several reports have also raised discussions about the chances of the group renewing with the agency. Some reports have even projected possible payouts that the BLACKPINK members will receive should they stay with the label. 

However, given the uncertainties, it’s undeniable that it will shake YG Entertainment, with some reports showing that the agency’s stocks have plummeted

Even fans are concerned as there’s still no assurance whether BLACKPINK will stay together,  disband, focus on solo projects, or continue with group activities despite being in different agencies. 

Featured image: BLACKPINK posing for a photo from their ‘Shut Down’ promotions. Credit: Facebook/BLACKPINK

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