Jennie Reveals the Brutal Reality Behind Coachella 2025: “The Pressure Was So Intense, It Felt Like a Miracle Just to Be Alive”
On the May 7 episode of tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block”, BLACKPINK’s Jennie sat down for a rare and heartfelt interview, sharing the emotional aftermath of her historic solo stage at Coachella 2025. In a conversation filled with laughter, candid admissions, and quiet strength, Jennie gave fans a glimpse into the weight behind the spectacle known online as “Jenchella.”
“Just Staying Alive Felt Like an Achievement”
Opening up to host Yoo Jae-suk, Jennie didn’t shy away from describing the overwhelming pressure leading up to her Coachella appearance. “It was overwhelming. I went through an emotional rollercoaster. The pressure was so intense, it honestly felt like just staying alive was an achievement,” she admitted.
She went on to describe the months of preparation: “Since around last January, I had been working toward that goal. The preparation period felt longer than I expected. There was a plan leading all the way to Coachella, so I thought it would be better to do everything first and then appear here.”
After returning from the U.S., Jennie revealed that her first instinct was to enjoy the simple comforts of home. “I really want to stay in Korea,” she said. “I just rested at home and ate good food. I repeated those two things.” When asked what she craved most, she laughed, “A few days ago, I ordered six types of gimbap and ate them with ramyeon. It had been so long, and there are so many kinds of gimbap in Korea. I tried them all, but the tuna gimbap was the best.”
A Performance She Poured Her Heart Into
Coachella 2025 marked a significant milestone in Jennie’s solo career. Performing 13 songs in a 50-minute set without a single outfit change, Jennie delivered a performance that fans around the world are still buzzing about.
When asked how much she practiced for the 50-minute set, Jennie explained, “I couldn’t fully run through the entire set during rehearsals. Stamina has always felt like a wall to me, and I wanted to overcome that.” She continued, “Whenever I had time, I’d play the full 50-minute setlist and run while singing. If it didn’t work out, I’d get treatment and keep practicing. It was a battle with myself.”
Recalling one viral moment, Yoo Jae-suk asked about her spontaneous shout to the crowd: “You said, ‘Put your phones down. I’m going to tear this up,’ in English.” Jennie responded, “That was completely spontaneous. I had actually prepared something else to say, but in that moment, I just felt like saying, ‘Put your phones down and enjoy it.’ That was the mindset I had.”
She also shared how this performance marked a turning point in her own sense of freedom: “For the first time in my life, I felt relief. I thought, ‘Maybe I don’t need to do anything for a while.’ I really felt free.”
Watching Herself Without Overthinking
Jennie typically avoids watching her own performances, but Coachella was different.
“I watched the full version once or twice. Then clips kept popping up on my phone, so I ended up watching more. I usually don’t review my own performances because I tend to overthink and get stuck on small details. But with Coachella, I watched it—not because it was perfect, but because it was a performance I poured my heart into, so even though it’s a little embarrassing, I still watched it.”
Jennie’s emotional honesty and vulnerability shed new light on the realities behind one of the year’s most celebrated performances. While the world saw glamor, stage lights, and power, Jennie saw survival, effort, and the quiet strength of making it through.