In a video released on the YouTube channel “Fairy Jae-hyung” on March 9, Jennie candidly reflected on her journey from childhood to her current stardom, sharing her trainee experience with Jung Jae-hyung.
Jennie, who left for New Zealand at the age of 10 for an early study abroad program, made the unexpected decision to return to Korea at 14 instead of continuing her studies in the U.S. She then embarked on her trainee life at YG Entertainment. Recalling those six years, she confessed, “The constant evaluations were already cruel, but it wasn’t just about getting a score like 70 points today or something simple like that. Every time we had evaluations, friends would leave, and at that age, it was really difficult to accept.”
The relentless competition took an emotional toll. Jennie admitted, “When you’re young, you’re supposed to learn about love – how to give and receive it. But as trainees, we were in constant competition. Thoughts like, ‘If that person doesn’t go, then I have to’ started to take over, and it felt like my view of people was becoming trapped in that mindset.” Despite the heartbreak of seeing close friends leave, she pushed forward, saying, “It was so sad, but I had to wipe my tears and push forward immediately.”
Her determination never wavered. Jennie recalled, “I was always thinking, ‘I will debut no matter what.’ I told myself, ‘This is my only path.’ I had dropped out of school for this, and I refused to believe in any uncertainty. I was determined to make it happen no matter what.”
Now, having parted ways with YG and embraced a new chapter in her career, Jennie released her first full-length album, “Ruby,” on March 7. To celebrate the milestone, she is currently holding solo concerts under the title “The Ruby Experience” in three major cities – Los Angeles, New York, and Seoul.
However, her debut performance in LA sparked controversy, with some questioning whether her stage outfit was overly revealing. Despite the discussion, Jennie continues to make a bold statement, proving her resilience and artistic evolution.