Jennie's First Solo Concert 'The Ruby Experience' Showcases New Album Live

On March 15, at 6:10 PM, Jennie held her first solo concert, 'The Ruby Experience,' at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, opening with lines from Shakespeare's 'As You Like It.' The stage, adorned with red curtains reminiscent of a grand theater, set the tone for an unforgettable performance. Jennie kicked off the show with 'JANE with FKJ' and 'start a war,' captivating an audience of over 10,000 as she sang while gazing into a full-length mirror, reflecting on her inner self.

This concert marked the live debut of all 15 tracks from her first solo album, 'Ruby,' released on March 7. The themes of identity and self-exploration, highlighted by the Shakespearean quote, resonate throughout the album, which is named after her English name, 'Jennie Ruby Jane.'

The songs performed were not just auditory experiences but visual spectacles, showcasing Jennie's collaborations with leading global artists like Doja Cat, Childish Gambino, Dominic Fike, Dua Lipa, and FKJ. Many tracks featured cutting-edge beats that complemented the provocative choreography, reminiscent of a fashion runway.

Among the standout performances was the title track 'Like Jennie,' which received acclaim from international critics for its innovative sound. The song blends Favela funk and Phonk, delivering a raw and aggressive rhythm that thrilled the audience. Other notable tracks included 'Seoul City,' which draws from dreamy soul-pop influences, and 'ZEN,' a song that emphasizes self-acceptance, further distancing Jennie from her BLACKPINK image.

However, the concert's 70-minute duration drew some criticism, as K-pop concerts typically last at least 90 minutes. The show started 10 minutes late, and ticket prices ranged from 143,000 to 220,000 KRW, which some fans found steep. The format resembled a showcase rather than a traditional concert, as Jennie did not perform any of her previous hits or BLACKPINK songs, focusing solely on her new material. She only addressed the audience after performing 11 consecutive songs, leading some to describe the event as more of a listening session than a concert.

Despite this, Jennie's ability to engage the crowd with her non-hit songs was impressive. After singing for 40 minutes, she finally spoke, expressing her disbelief at the overwhelming love she received since the album's release. The audience, waving pink 'Bongbong' lightsticks, included fellow artists like NewJeans, Yoo Jae-suk, Kim Ji-won, Gong Hyo-jin, and BLACKPINK's Rosé, all there to support her.

Following concerts in New York and Los Angeles earlier in March, Jennie's album has received positive reviews and chart success. It scored 7.1 on Pitchfork, known for its stringent ratings, and debuted at No. 3 on the UK Official Albums Chart, setting a record for the highest debut by a female K-pop solo artist. It also debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S.

Jennie will join BLACKPINK for their world tour starting in July, with performances scheduled in major cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, New York, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, London, and Tokyo.