JENNIE Directs Her Own Love Story In “Less than a Lover” Music Video – Watch
The BLACKPINK star narrates a summer where she chooses to pause a love story in her newest music video.
Courtesy of OA ENTERTAINMENT.
Courtesy of OA ENTERTAINMENT.
South Korean soloist JENNIE has unveiled her latest solo project, “Less than a Lover,” alongside a dreamy, romantic music video.
After days of building anticipation through a rollout of cinematic stills from the visualizer, the global pop star officially released her highly anticipated single and music video on July 24, 2026 at 12PM PHT.
Written by JENNIE alongside director and photographer Choeey, who also helmed the music video, “Less than a Lover” arrives as her first official solo release since her critically acclaimed debut album, Ruby. The visual stars the “Mantra” hitmaker opposite Taiwan-born model Nah Kai, whose mystery appearance throughout the teaser rollout fueled speculation from fans.
Opening like the first page of a screenplay, the music video begins with the BLACKPINK member delivering a reflective monologue: “So I want a film about a girl. She wants to avoid love, wants to avoid responsibilities. She’s very confused, but also knows what she wants — just to enjoy summer.”
From there, the visual unfolds through muted colors, grainy cinematography, and screenplay-inspired scene descriptions, complete with typewritten slug lines interrupting the song to frame each sequence.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Girona, Spain, the video follows JENNIE and Nah Kai as they spend an idyllic summer together — sharing coffee, wandering through cobblestone streets, going on a road trip, lounging atop seaside cliffs, and basking under the sun aboard a sailboat. While every moment captures the pair enjoying each other’s company, an unmistakable romantic tension lingers beneath the surface.
Introducing the final scene through a screenplay’s action line, the singer-songwriter explains, “So final scene: we’re at the beach. It almost feels like a date and you can’t control your emotions. And you just keep wanting more.” As the pair lean in as if to kiss, JENNIE pulls away, cutting to a solitary close-up of her as she chooses to remain, as the song suggests, “a little bit less than a lover.”
The understated, cozy atmosphere of the visual perfectly complements the song’s breezy production. Built around lo-fi guitars, vintage electric keyboards, and dreamy, laid-back instrumentation, “Less than a Lover” showcases a softer, more restrained side of the South Korean artist, with delicate vocals that contrast the bolder, high-energy sound of much of her previous solo work.
Released under OA Entertainment, Inc. in partnership with Columbia Records, the track previously made its live debut during JENNIE’s recent festival appearances, such as the Governors Ball Music Festival, Roskilde Festival, Open’er Festival, and Mad Cool Festival.
Following the release, JENNIE is set to continue her global festival run with performances at Lollapalooza in Chicago and Summer Sonic 2026 in Japan.
Watch JENNIE’s self-written music video, “Less than a Lover,” below:
Frequently Asked Questions
The song and video follow a summer romance in Girona, Spain, where JENNIE’s character avoids commitment, choosing to stay “a little bit less than a lover” by the end.
Photographer and director Choeey helmed the music video, which JENNIE co-wrote herself, drawing on screenplay-style scene descriptions and slug lines throughout.
The video was shot in Girona, Spain, featuring cobblestone streets, seaside cliffs, and a sailboat sequence that frame the summer romance narrative.
Taiwan-born model Nah Kai stars opposite JENNIE, following weeks of teaser speculation from fans during the single’s cinematic stills rollout.
Yes, it is JENNIE’s first official solo single since her 2024 debut album Ruby, released under OA Entertainment and Columbia Records.
