Cover Blackpink’s Jennie turns 30 today (January 16, 2026) (Photo: Instagram/@jennierubyjane)
Blackpink’s Jennie turns 30 today (January 16, 2026) (Photo: Instagram/@jennierubyjane)
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Happy birthday, Jennie! As the Blackpink member turns 30 today, Tatler looks back at her most defining moments: from her debut to her creative ventures in photography
Happy birthday to Jennie Kim! The multi-talented K-pop powerhouse is turning 30 today. As one of Blackpink’s most recognisable members, Jennie has built a career that fuses artistry with cultural influence, evolving seamlessly from pop prodigy to global fashion icon. Known for her charismatic stage presence and signature sense of style, she continues to blur the lines between music, fashion and visual art.
To celebrate this milestone, Tatler revisits five standout moments that have shaped Jennie’s artistic journey: from her debut as a K-pop idol to her bold forays into acting, fashion and photography.
Read more: Jennie style guide: 8 looks that cement the Blackpink star as a fashion force
Jennie’s debut in 2016
Above Jennie debuted as the first member of Blackpink in 2016 (Photo: Facebook/@YG Family)
Jennie debuted as the first member of Blackpink in 2016 (Photo: Facebook/@YG Family)
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YG Entertainment unveiled Jennie as the first member of Blackpink on June 1, 2016, marking the beginning of a new era in K-pop. Her poised confidence and magnetic presence quickly captured the public’s attention, setting the tone for the group’s powerful debut later that month.
Jennie’s solo debut in 2018
Above Jennie performing ‘Solo’
On November 12, 2018, Jennie released Solo, an empowering anthem layered with electronic dance music (EDM) elements that showcased her individuality beyond the group. The track topped South Korea’s Circle Digital Chart and the Billboard K-pop Hot 100, confirming her as a formidable solo artist.
In 2025, she unveiled her first full-length solo album, Ruby, an eclectic mix of genres that reflected her creative evolution. Featuring hit singles such as Mantra and collaborations with Dua Lipa and Dominic Fike, Ruby underscored Jennie’s growth as a boundary-pushing musician.
‘The Idol’ (2023)
Above A trailer of ‘The Idol’, featuring Jennie
In 2023, Jennie made her acting debut in the HBO series The Idol under the stage name Jennie Ruby Jane. The provocative American series centres on the life of Jocelyn (played by Lily-Rose Depp), a pop idol navigating fame and manipulation. Jennie portrayed the enigmatic Dyanne, the character who orchestrates Jocelyn’s introduction to Tedros (Tesfaye), a morally complex nightclub owner and self-help guru. Her nuanced performance earned critical attention for its subtlety and screen presence.
Jennie as “Coco dandy” at the Met Gala (2025)
Above Jennie at the 2025 Met Gala, which celebrated the ”Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City (Photo: Getty Images)
Jennie at the 2025 Met Gala, which celebrated the ”Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City (Photo: Getty Images)
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Jennie’s reputation as a fashion icon was cemented when she arrived at the 2025 Met Gala in an unforgettable “Coco dandy” ensemble. The custom black Chanel tuxedo gown—requiring more than 330 hours of hand labour—fused sharp menswear tailoring with soft, feminine draping and pearl detailing. Channelling the allure of a 1920s gangster’s muse, the look subverted traditional ballgown conventions, affirming Jennie’s mastery of fashion storytelling and gender-fluid elegance.
Jennie’s first solo photography exhibition in 2026
Above Jennie’s first solo photography exhibition (Photo: Instagram/@kim.jennie.news)
Jennie’s first solo photography exhibition (Photo: Instagram/@kim.jennie.news)
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She will also hold her first solo photography exhibition at Youthquake Gallery in Seoul, J2NNI5, which runs from January 16 to 29. The show focuses on rare candid moments from when she was 25. There will also be a similar pop-up exhibition running concurrently at Daikanyama Tsutaya Books in Tokyo this month. Her photobook will be released today.
Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
