Arzen Rose Dulzura

BLACKPINK Jennie shares meaning behind songs ‘ZEN,’ ‘like JENNIE’ from ‘Ruby’: ‘That represents who I am’

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:514px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1742957594240Thumb - 2025-03-26T093535.734.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo credit: @jennierubyjane Instagram</span></span></span></div><p>In her recent post on her social media page, Jennie gave a sneak peek on how she created two of her songs, “ZEN” and “like JENNIE.”</p><p>“I want to work on my solo album from the moment I got into music, and you know, the moment has finally come,” Jennie said.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-18" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHmaBtySy3U/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A18%2C%22os%22%3A6402025.299999952%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-18" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Jennie admitted that the journey wasn’t easy. As she spent months in the studio, she began feeling anxious.</p><p>“Maybe like six months into spending time at the studio every day, I felt more anxious. I felt like something is coming chasing after me when this is something that I started,” she added. “I lost myself in my head.” </p><p>Fortunately, collaborating with international writers and producers helped her find clarity. One key contributor was German singer-songwriter Badriia Ines &quot;Bibi&quot; Bourelly.</p><p>“And then I met this amazing writer called Bibi. We met. We clicked. We talked. We opened up to each other and we just had a great time and that’s when &#x27;ZEN&#x27; came along,” Jennie expressed.</p><p>Jennie and Bibi bonded over deep conversations, which became the foundation of “ZEN.”</p><p>“And the way that &#x27;ZEN&#x27; was initially written was that it was based on a bunch of conversations that I’d had with Jennie. I was like, the vibes are just kind of like being a bad b*tch, honestly, unapologetically,” Bibi shared.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-16" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DG5OA5gxlDh/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A16%2C%22os%22%3A6380141.099999905%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-16" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Jennie added that the ninth track from her album is actually a representation of her real self.</p><p>“With the message in &#x27;ZEN&#x27;, it was made in such a delicate way but expressing it in such a loud and fierce way. I think that represents who I am. My soul has been put into this song,” she expressed.</p><p>As per Grammy-award winning producer PLUSS, Jennie’s way of creating her album is showing her creativity and a different side of her.</p><p>“Her whole journey is creative. It’s like she’s breaking out the shell or something,” he described.</p><p>Another standout track, “like JENNIE,” emphasizes self-assurance and individuality.</p><p>“With the song &#x27;like JENNIE,&#x27; we’re talking about confidence here, knowing your worth and living like there’s no second version of you,” Jennie expressed.</p><p>American singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and actor Tayla Parx, who also co-wrote the song, echoed on how the song resonated with Jennie&#x27;s identity.</p><p>“When I first gear the beat for &#x27;like JENNIE,&#x27; of course, I was like ‘Oh!’,” she shared. “It was really just about how do we make sure to just evoke that attitude. It was really about how can we show your identity with this song.”</p><p>With its captivating beat, American DJ and producer Diplo, who also worked on the track, aimed to make the song as impactful as possible.</p><p>“How do you build this record to kind of like keep growing because you want a hook to feel big,” he added.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-14" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG4rzZ7scCT/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A14%2C%22os%22%3A6350860.599999905%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="494" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-14" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Jennie officially released <em>Ruby</em> in March, featuring 15 tracks. She also dropped a music video for “like JENNIE” and shared a behind-the-scenes look at her creative journey.</p><p>Reflecting on the experience, she described it as personal and transformative.</p><p>“This is such a special moment for me, and I can’t wait to finally share with you guys. I think this whole making of the full album itself was a new experience for me,” Jennie said.</p><p>Nearly two weeks after its release, <em>Ruby</em> debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200, making Jennie the third BLACKPINK member to enter the chart&#x27;s top 10 with a solo project.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/3/7/blackpink-jennie-drops-album-ruby-shares-behind-the-scenes-preparations-0914"><strong><u>READ: BLACKPINK Jennie drops album ‘Ruby’, shares behind the scenes preparations</u></strong></a></div><p>In a previous interview with <em>Vogue</em>, Jennie spoke about the emotional rollercoaster leading up to the album’s release.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m going through an emotional roller coaster right now and every day has been different. It&#x27;s a moment that I&#x27;ve been dreaming of my whole life,” she expressed. “I can&#x27;t believe my album is here.”</p><p>Jennie recorded most of <em>Ruby </em>in Los Angeles, a decision she made intentionally.</p><p>“[It] was very intentionally done. I just really wanted to throw myself out there to experience it. I struggled a lot in the beginning. A few months, I would say, was just me throwing myself out there, walking into rooms filled with new people,” she told Billboard.</p><p>&quot;Eventually, we got to a point where I found a good group of people that I linked with, sonically and as friends.&quot;</p>

<p><b>Jennie Kim of BLACKPINK shares more behind-the-scenes clips from recording her first solo album 'Ruby.'</b></p>

Jennie Kim of BLACKPINK shares more behind-the-scenes clips from recording her first solo album 'Ruby.'