With ‘The Ruby Experience’, JENNIE Welcomes A New Chapter Of Her Artistry – Review

There lies a unique sheen to every Ruby gemstone.

Beneath its crimson-red surface, there is often a glimmer that’s difficult to capture in its full glory — almost impossible to dissect, yet easy to appreciate both from a distance and in concept. The same could be said of BLACKPINK‘s resident it-girl, JENNIE, who has spent the past decade heavily tied to the machinations (and corresponding limitations) of the K-pop industry.

Though both she and the group have found immense success on the global stage following a series of mega-hit singles, chart-topping albums, and sold-out concerts worldwide, nothing had quite prepared them for the amount of liberty and leeway that each of them would find in their respective solo careers. ROSÉ was able to explore the more heartfelt and diaristic type of songwriting she’s always wanted, JISOO has found success with both the bubblegum pop genre and her acting career, and LISA has further expanded her superstar status with several ventures across a variety of mediums.

For JENNIE, this newfound freedom (both creatively and schedule-wise) has resulted in the birth of her fifteen-track debut album, Ruby. which has gone on to dominate the pop culture landscape of 2025. Whether it’s through its plethora of viral dance challenges, its stacked roster of A-list collaborations, or even its impeccable production quality from start to finish, it’s evident from the reception of the record worldwide that JENNIE is getting her well-deserved flowers as a solo artist and creative visionary.

Taking a step further to showcase her artistry, JENNIE conceptualized Ruby not merely as an album but also as an experience that many of her most devout fans could live vicariously within. With just four stops for The Ruby Experience worldwide, this was a landmark moment that millions of BLINKS and RUBIES had to attend, not only because of the fear of missing out, but also since it was a rare opportunity to witness JENNIE at her artistic prime. Luckily for me, I was able to catch her one-night-only performance in South Korea — and boy, was it well worth it.

JENNIE’s Korean stop of The Ruby Experience took place at the Inspire Arena on Yeongjong Island, Incheon, which is around a two-hour commute from the heart of Seoul one way. Given that the amount of effort to reach the venue is already a pilgrimage of its own, it takes a lot from you — energy and patience-wise. Though one would expect fans’ spirits to be affected by the journey, it was noticeable from the energy of the 10,000 plus RUBIES in attendance that anticipation was still at an all-time high.

As I weaved through the crowded merchandise booth and abundance of organized queuing systems put in place, I finally made it to my seat on the floor section of the Inspire Arena. From my vantage point, I could clearly see the majority of the audience who came up to watch the show, which included Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein of NewJeans (NJZ), Red Velvet‘s Irene and Yeri, and Kim Jiwon, among several others. With the star-studded list of K-pop acts who were present, there was no doubt about just how big of a deal this show was, both for JENNIE and her peers in the K-pop industry.

As the lights slowly began to dim, the red curtains pulled back, revealing a classical ballerina dancing along to “Intro: JANE with FKJ” as if the stage were one giant music box. By the time the song reached its outro, a mirror suddenly emerged with JENNIE herself stepping on stage to signify the song’s transition to “start a war.” Clad in a fashionable fur coat, JENNIE and her aura were as strong as her husky vocals on the track, making this performance a killer opener to kick off the show.

Next up was her solo rendition of “Handlebars,” which the K-pop superstar effortlessly delivered. With the ground surrounding her transforming into a web-like structure, JENNIE’s heartfelt crooning to this lovelorn anthem was effective in getting us to swoon with her and at her. Following a seamless transition segment (and dance break), she then took the stage for an energetic rendition of the album’s lead single, “Mantra.” On numbers like this, it’s obvious wherein the 29-year-old idol’s training had paid off, given its mix of choreography-heavy sections and requirement of a steady vocal performance on top of it. Yet, for JENNIE, such things were already natural to her.

After a quick outfit change, JENNIE moved right into a skit-like performance of “Love Hangover,” allowing her to showcase a more cheeky and playful side to her craft. It was also here that she showcased her rap prowess for the first time in the night, as she took over Dominic Fike’s verse with ease (Dare I say it’s actually better than his original part?) The momentum continued with her rousing renditions of “ZEN” and “Damn Right,” which further highlighted her newfound sense of empowerment that elevated her skills as a performer.

A particularly memorable moment of her set came when she performed the dreamy track, “Seoul City,” which given the nature of her performing it in her second hometown, felt like a full circle moment. As she stepped away to head backstage, JENNIE shared a major surprise to those in attendance as she premiered the unreleased music video to the song, which was met with a raucous response from the crowd.

However, what could arguably be noted as one of the standout performances of the night was that of “like JENNIE,” given that it stands as the biggest hit off the album. While the song itself is already a massive bop (boasting over a hundred million streams as of April 2025), JENNIE’s incomparable swagger and unshakeable confidence was what further amplified its live rendition, driving home the message that there really was no one else on the scene like herself. Whether you’d be amazed at the excellent choreography of her and her crew or even with the shock value of JENNIE’s hard-hitting delivery of the track’s second verse, this was truly a performance to behold.

Keeping everyone’s spirits up, JENNIE made a smooth segue soon after to “with the IE (way up),” which was executed with finesse from beginning to end. Both she and her crew of dancers seemed to be having the time of their lives on stage, with JENNIE being the hype woman who invited the crowd to sing along. Still, that wasn’t the end of her strutting along the stage, as her performance to “ExtraL” followed right after, boasting her it-girl energy as another highlight of the night. Hearing JENNIE take charge, have fun, and own the entirety of the song (sans Doechii verse) ultimately proved that she’s earned her title as a superstar.

Taking a break to address the audience, JENNIE expressed her gratitude to those who came all this way to watch her show, stating, “I’ve learned so much through this album and concert. This album captures my true self — raw and imperfect. Everything feels new and unfamiliar.” Speaking in Korean with a soft, emotional voice (marking a stark contrast to her fierce stage presence), it was apparent that the night’s performance was one that meant a lot to her.

“I promised not to cry, but seeing all of you here makes me so grateful and happy,” she then said before bursting into tears on stage. “Thank you for accepting me as I am. I’ll continue to be myself, Jennie, a good person who makes great music, so please do keep supporting me,” she concluded.

Given the raw nature of her emotions at the moment, JENNIE’s performance of “F.T.S.” was interspersed with many tears shed by the pop star. It’s no surprise when you consider the song’s relevance to her personal life, especially with the abundance of rumors, fake news, and controversy that is often stirred up for idols like herself — which is where the titular ‘F*ck that Shit’ motto comes in — as she cuts ties with those things holding her back. JENNIE’s complicated relationship with the Korean press (and tabloids) is no secret, which is why you could tell that this performance meant a lot to her and the audience.

After performing the candid anthem “Filter,” JENNIE prepared her last leg of performances for the night, beginning with the dreamy “Starlight.” However, the one that definitely left a strong impression on the audience was that of “twin,” especially with its stripped-down and emotional nature. Here, JENNIE’s vocals were soft yet heartfelt in its delivery, with every lyric sung conveyed nostalgically as if she were reliving a set of memories in her performance. With the screen showcasing a sunset by the beach, it marked a fitting scene and end to the wave of emotions that The Ruby Experience had delivered throughout its hour and twenty-minute long runtime.

As the same red curtains came to a close, I found myself reflecting on what had transpired, realizing that JENNIE’s The Ruby Experience felt like more than your usual K-pop concert. Though its production value and design were quite simple to some of her peers at her level, no one could deny the intention and meticulous attention to detail ingrained with every performance that took place that night. It was apparent that JENNIE and her team at Odd Atelier had planned for this to be a celebration of her freedom as an artist, and also a demonstration of the immense power that she’s capable of as a solo musician.

Throughout the night, JENNIE had seamlessly weaved the genres of R&B, pop, hip-hop, and country-pop within her discography, making it the perfect sampler (and introduction) of what she can do on her own. While the world is more than familiar with who JENNIE is with her role in BLACKPINK, both Ruby and The Ruby Experience have perfectly reintroduced her in a brand new (and authentic) light, welcoming the world to witness a new era of her artistry.

With all that transpired, it’s clear that JENNIE’s journey from being a cornerstone of BLACKPINK to carving her own path as a solo artist has been nothing short of transformative. For with the release of Ruby and the groundbreaking The Ruby Experience, she has proven herself not just as an idol, but as a true creative force in her own right. Her evolution is a reminder that even in an industry known for its constraints, true artistry can break free and shine in unexpected ways. From the confident swagger of “like JENNIE” to the vulnerability of “twin,” JENNIE’s music now feels like an open window into her world — raw, unapologetic, and all her own.

As she moves forward, embracing her individuality, it’s clear that JENNIE is no longer defined by her ties to BLACKPINK alone. She has found her own voice, and in doing so, she has opened the door to an exciting new chapter — one where she is free to shine brighter than ever before.

Listen to JENNIE’s debut studio album, Ruby, in its entirety below: