The Grand Chapter of JENNIE in Her First Solo Concert Journey

JENNIE held her first solo concert since debut, presenting a spectacular and creative showcase of her talent. The concert offered fans an unforgettable experience, highlighted by powerful performances and heartfelt interactions. This milestone event has left fans eagerly awaiting her future projects and artistic growth.

The First Solo Concert Experience by JENNIE

JENNIE of BLACKPINK recently held her first-ever solo concert, delighting fans with her debut performance at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, Yeongjongdo, on the 15th. The show, titled “The Ruby Experience,” marked the official showcase of her first solo full-length album, “Ruby.” After preview performances last year, this concert represented the culmination of her dedicated efforts. JENNIE had previously performed in Los Angeles on the 6th and 7th, and New York on the 10th, before wrapping up her tour in Korea. Despite being her solo debut, JENNIE successfully filled the 10,000-seat Inspire Arena entirely on her own.

The Grand Opening of Concert by JENNIE

The road to the concert was bustling with international fans eager to see JENNIE’s solo performance. The event attracted various celebrities, including BLACKPINK’s Rosé, Yoo Jae-suk, NewJeans, actors Kim Ji-won and Lee Dong-hwi, BIGBANG’s Daesung, Zico, P.O, Gray, and WINNER’s Lee Seung-hoon. However, the arrival of numerous stars caused a 10-minute delay, which some attendees criticized as unprofessional. This brief delay led to mixed reactions online, with some labeling the concert a “late performance.”

A Theatrical Concept Inspired by Shakespeare

JENNIE’s concert reflected the concept of her album, “Ruby,” which drew inspiration from Shakespeare’s comedy, “As You Like It.” The famous line, “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players,” served as the foundation for her performance. Over the course of 70 minutes, JENNIE’s show resembled both a concert and a theatrical play, where she portrayed multiple characters on stage. She explained that during the album’s preparation, she embraced her imperfections and portrayed herself honestly, showcasing her natural, even clumsy, self rather than a polished image.

Passionate Concert Performance by JENNIE

JENNIE began her performance with a 1-minute-15-second intro created with FKJ, featuring a ballerina motif. The show truly commenced with her third track, “Start a War.” Although JENNIE admitted to feeling nervous about her first solo concert, her connection with the audience remained strong throughout the show. Her performances radiated her iconic charisma, freedom, and artistic brilliance, qualities that defined her as a pop star beyond her BLACKPINK days. Unlike the precision-focused choreography of BLACKPINK, JENNIE’s solo concert allowed her to explore her unique artistic expressions.

Multi-Faceted Stage Presence and Memorable Songs

The concert featured 15 tracks, each with its own distinct concept, enhancing the storytelling aspect of her performance. JENNIE played various roles, including a passionate woman in love, a visionary opening new paths, a former star navigating misunderstandings, and the human Kim JENNIE exposing her vulnerable side. Tracks like “Handlebars” showcased her intensity, while “Mantra” encouraged female empowerment, prompting enthusiastic cheers from her female fans. The title track, “like JENNIE,” captivated the audience with its catchy lyrics and fast-paced choreography, leaving fans thrilled. The concert also featured nostalgic elements, such as her song “With the IE,” which sampled Jennifer Lopez’s “From the Block” and recreated a retro, old-school sound.

Gratitude and Emotional Moments After the Concert by JENNIE

After performing 11 songs without pause, JENNIE finally addressed her fans, thanking them for attending her first solo concert. She expressed her gratitude, acknowledging her embarrassment at being on stage alone and the overwhelming love she had received since releasing her album. Moved by the crowd’s cheers and sincere support, JENNIE shed tears, admitting that it was difficult to accept such immense affection but also expressing her happiness and appreciation. She assured fans of her commitment to creating good music and being a better person, urging them to keep supporting her.

Mixed Reactions to Concert Length

The Korean online community theqoo featured over 700 fan reviews of JENNIE’s concert. While many praised her performance, some criticized the concert’s short duration of only 70 minutes. Given the long journey to Inspire Arena in Yeongjongdo, many fans felt that the concert ended too abruptly, especially considering the effort they made to attend.

In typical situations like this, fans often criticize the agency instead of the artist. However, since JENNIE manages her own one-person agency, fans cannot direct their criticism at the agency. Moreover, it is true that JENNIE’s agency, OA Entertainment, is not a large-scale agency, which means it struggles to appropriately address fans’ complaints.

Criticism and Feedback on Stage Production at the Jennie Concert

There were also criticisms about the stage production. The quality of the stage setup was considered too lacking compared to the ticket price. In response to this, some argue that JENNIE’s singing is so good that the stage effects are not important. Still, many fans felt that the stage, with its basic setup and screen graphics but no other significant effects, was somewhat lacking.

It’s undeniable that JENNIE is a world-class artist with a solid fanbase. However, even if the performance is lacking, not all fans are satisfied. Dissatisfied fans quietly leave the fandom, and only those who are content remain, creating a fandom that supports JENNIE no matter what she does. This is not a healthy fandom dynamic. Nonetheless, given the negative feedback from fans about this performance, it’s hoped that JENNIE will accept this feedback and make changes for the next concert. For now, most fans still see it as a trial and error of a one-person agency and are understanding.

JENNIE and Ruby Make a Powerful Impact with Solo Album

JENNIE and Ruby gained widespread acclaim, with the solo album achieving strong sales and topping charts. Ruby set the highest first-week sales record for a K-pop female soloist’s full-length album and performed well globally.

Here’s a link to theqoo.

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