“Ruby” is K-pop star Jennie Kim’s first solo debut album released on March 7. It has reached a monthly listener of 49,039,388 on Spotify and is now ranked #51 in the world.
The album has five Singles, “Mantra,” “Love hangover,” “ExralL,” “Like Jennie,” and “Handlebars.” Two of her songs “Mantra” and “Like Jennie,” have reached top five of the Billboard Global 200 and topped charts in several countries.
I love how Kim’s new album is a self- reflecting album which really represents who Kim really is.
In seven years of her career as a member of Korean girl group Blackpink, it was mostly that the girls worked together as a group never really able to express their individual selves in group works. “Ruby” for Kim is about self- discovery, and personal growth.
Kim told Billboard, “The more I get to know Myself, the more I try to love myself. I’ve had a time in my life where I didn’t- I had no clue how to do that. I didn’t know who I was.”
“ExtraL,” which features American rapper and singer Doechii comes with strong messages of women empowerment and a reminder that women are strong. Doechii and Kim chant “Do my ladies Run this? Do my ladies run this?”, really supporting women ideas.
“Ruby” also includes love songs like “Love hangover”, “Seoul city” which is about Kim’s personal relationships. “We say its over/ But I keep fucking with you/ And every time I go, I wake up with this love hangover” verses from the song “Love hangover” showing her struggle with someone she hates to love.
My personal favorite song is “Like Jennie” which is a really catchy song representing her uniqueness and her success. It is bold and the lyrics seems like self- empowerment anthem of hers, “I think I really like Jennie/ Haters they don’t really like to Jennie/ Cause they can never ever be like Jennie.” The lyrics of the song are really confident and bold, and It has become a trend all over the internet with everyone dancing to the choreography.
Kim’s album compared to the other members of Blackpink is closest similar to the Album “Alter-ego” by Thai rapper Lisa which is also about self- empowerment and self-discovery. On the other hand, other members of Blackpink singers Rosie and Jisoo’s albums are about personal emotions and explore love stories.
“Ruby” is a new side of Kim that is bold and confident showing her beyond just her group BlackPink.