Solo (Jennie song)

"Solo" (stylized in all caps) is the debut solo single by South Korean rapper, singer and Blackpink member Jennie, released on November 12, 2018 through YG and Interscope. The song was written by Teddy Park and produced by him alongside 24. "Solo" is a dance, pop and hip hop song with EDM sound. Lyrically, the song is about independence after a break-up.

"Solo"
Digital edition cover
Single by Jennie
ReleasedNovember 12, 2018 (2018-11-12)
Recorded2018
Genre
Length2:49
Label
Songwriter(s)Teddy Park
Producer(s)
  • Teddy Park
  • 24
Physical edition cover
Music video
"Solo" on YouTube

An accompanying music video for the song was directed by Han Sa-min and uploaded onto Blackpink's YouTube channel simultaneously with the single's release. The video was filmed in the United Kingdom and depicts Jennie's transformation from an innocent to a strong independent woman. The video has accumulated more than 600 million views on the platform.

In South Korea, the song debuted and peaked at number one on the Gaon Digital Chart. Moreover, the song attained international success, becoming her first chart-topper on Billboard's World Digital Songs chart. "Solo" debuted in the charts of several countries, including Canada, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore and the United Kingdom. The song has been certified platinum twice by the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA).

Background and music

On October 18, 2018, YG announced that all Blackpink members were preparing solo releases, with Jennie to release a song in November 2018.[1] On October 27, YG released a promotional poster on various social media accounts.[2] A 23 second teaser video was uploaded one day later onto Blackpink's official YouTube channel. The clip shows Jennie lying on a bed and repeatedly mentioning her name.[3] The second teaser was uploaded one week later, showing her performing in various clothes in a photo studio.[4][5] The third and last teaser was uploaded four days prior to the singles release, showing her with different outfits in various locations.[6]

In a press conference held on November 12, 2018, Jennie talked about the song's creation. She said, "When you’re dating someone, you tend to present what the other person wants rather than your true self. I wanted to express that feeling. Rather than the heart wound coming from a breakup, I wanted to express myself more freely".[7] "Solo" was written by Teddy Park and produced by him alongside 24. The song is composed in the key of D minor in a tempo 95 beats per minute and runs for 2:49.[8] It has been described as a dance, pop and hip hop song, with EDM elements.[9][10] Kang Kyung-yoon (SBS) noted that the lyrics follow two themes; a weak introverted girl and an "independent yet strong woman.[10]

"Solo" was released for digital download and streaming on November 12, 2018, through YG and Interscope. A physical version of the single was released on November 18, 2018, featuring the song and it's instrumental. Alongside the CD, a 72-page photobook, a double-sided poster, a random photocard and a lyrics postcard were released in a special version.[11] A live version of "Solo" which was recorded on December 24, 2018, was included on Blackpink's first live album Blackpink Arena Tour 2018 "Special Final In Kyocera Dome Osaka", which was released on March 22, 2019, through YGEX.[12]

Promotion and music video
Jennie during a fan sign event in Seoul's Gangnam District on December 16, 2018

For promotion, Jennie performed "Solo" on several occasions. The single was first performed by Jennie during Blackpink's concert in Seoul's Olympic Gymnastics Arena on November 10 and 11, 2018.[13][4] She performed "Solo" four times in November and December at SBS' Inkigayo and won three times.[14] In the same month, "Solo" was performed at the SBS Gayo Daejeon, alongside "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du". Furthermore, "Solo" was performed during Blackpink's debut Coachella stage on April 12, 2019.[15]

An accompanying music video for the song was directed by Han Sa-min and shot in the United Kingdom.[16][9] It features Jennie on her own as she transforms from an "innocent and delicate" woman in a luxurious manor, to a charismatic woman growing into her independent nature, reveling in being "Solo" through a variety of dance scenes, showing off sleek choreography and ending things off in a powerful way amid a crowd of female dancers.[9]

Commercial performance

"Solo" debuted at number one on the Gaon Digital Chart on the week ending November 17. Overall, the song stayed in the top ten of the chart for 13 consecutive weeks and spent 33 weeks in the top 100 of the chart. It furthermore topped the component Download and Streaming chart.[17] The CD release of the single charted at no. two of the Gaon Album Chart, selling 45,000 copies in two months making it the 100th best-selling album of 2018.[18] As of July 2020, it sold more than 75,000 copies.[19][20] Eventually "Solo" became the 86th and 35th best-performing song of 2018 and 2019 respectively in South Korea. The song was certified platinum by the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) both for surpassing 100 million streams on June 6, 2019, and for 2.5 million paid digital downloads on March 12, 2020.[21][22] The song entered the Billboard K-pop Hot 100 on the chart issue dated November 24 at number one.[23] The following week it dropped to no. ten, but reached the top again the following week.[24][25] It spent 25 weeks on the chart.[26] The song further reached number one in Singapore and Malaysia.[27][28]

In Japan, "Solo" debuted and peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 in the week ending November 26.[29] In the United States, "Solo" debuted atop Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart on the issue dated December 1, 2018. It spent 25 weeks in said chart.[30] The song has sold 10,000 digital copies in the US as of December 2018.[31] "Solo" also reached the single charts in Canada and Scotland, while reaching the UK download component and New Zealand Hot Singles charts.[32][33][34][35]

Credits and personnel
Teddy Park (pictured in 2005) produced and wrote "Solo".

Credits are adapted from Spotify and Dextor Lab:[36][37]

Personnel
Music video
  • Han Sa-min – music video director

Track listing
Download and streaming
  • 1. "Solo" – 2:49
CD
  • 1. "Solo" – 2:49
  • 2. "Solo" Instrumental – 2:49

Accolades
Awards for "Solo"
Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2019 Gaon Chart Music Awards Song of the Year – November Won [38]
Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Dance Performance Nominated [39]
2020 Golden Disc Awards Best Digital Song (Bonsang) Won [40]
Song of the Year (Daesang) Shortlisted
Music program awards
Program Date Ref.
Inkigayo (SBS) November 25, 2018 [14]
December 2, 2018
December 16, 2018

Charts

Certifications and Sales
Sales certifications for "Solo"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA)[48] Platinum 2,500,000*
United States — 10,000[49]
Streaming
South Korea (KMCA)[50] Platinum 100,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Release formats for "Solo"
Country/Region Date Type Format Label Ref.
Various November 12, 2018 Original
[51]
November 18, 2019 CD [11]
March 22, 2019 Live recording
YGEX [12]

See also

References
  1. Kim, Hye-soo (October 18, 2018). "Black Pink members gear up to appear solo". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  2. "블랙핑크 제니, 첫 솔로곡명은 'SOLO'..테디와 의기투합 [공식입장]" [Blackpink's Jenny to release Teddy produced first song 'Solo' [Official announcement]] (in Korean). OSEN. October 27, 2018. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  3. "Jennie – 'Solo' Teaser Video #1". YG Entertainment, Interscope Records. October 28, 2018. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019 – via YouTube.
  4. Lee, Min-young (November 4, 2018). "Blackpink Jennie's second solo teaser out [Video]". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  5. "Jennie – 'Solo' Teaser Video #2". YG Entertainment, Interscope Records. November 2, 2018. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2019 – via YouTube.
  6. Marie, Annie (November 9, 2018). "Black Pink singer Jennie teases solo music video". UPI. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  7. "Blackpink, And another Jennie". November 12, 2018. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  8. "Key, BPM of Solo by Jennie". MusicStax. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  9. Herman, Tamar (November 12, 2018). "Blackpink's Jennie Goes 'Solo' in Glam Video: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  10. Kang, Kyung-yoon (October 29, 2018). 블랙핑크 제니, 솔로 티저 공개…주근깨 러블리 매력 [Blackpink Jenny, solo teaser released... Freckles lovely charm]. SBS (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  11. "BLACKPINKからソロ・デビューするジェニー、ソロ・デビュー曲 "SOLO"のCD付き1stフォトブック" (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. November 18, 2018. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  12. "Live DVD & Blu-Ray [Blackpink Arena Tour 2018 "Special Final In Kyocera Dome Osaka"]" (in Japanese). YGEX. March 22, 2019. Archived from the original on June 8, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  13. "Jennie – 'Solo' Performance [In your area] Seoul". YG Entertainment, Interscope Records. November 21, 2018. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019 – via YouTube.
  14. "Solo"'s Inkigayo performances and wins:
  15. Ginsberg, Gab (April 13, 2019). "Blackpink Rule Coachella With Electrifying Debut Performance". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  16. "Jennie Reveals MV Making of 'Solo', "An Alter Ego Unseen from Blackpink"". YG Life. November 13, 2018. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  17. "Solo"'s chart position in South Korea:
  18. 2018년 Album Chart [2018 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  19. "Gaon Chart Search: Solo (Album)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  20. Sales of the Solo CD in South Korea:
  21. "가온 인증: 누적사용량 인증" [Gaon Certification: Streaming]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  22. "가온 인증: 누적판매량 인증" [Gaon Certification: Download]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  23. "Billboard Korea K-pop 100 Chart". Billboard. November 24, 2018. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  24. "Billboard Korea K-pop 100 Chart". Billboard. December 1, 2018. Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  25. "Billboard Korea K-pop 100 Chart". Billboard. December 8, 2018. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  26. "Chart History: Jennie". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  27. "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  28. "Singapore Top 30 Digital Streaming Chart – Week 46" (PDF). Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 22, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  29. "Hot 100". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 26, 2020. Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  30. "Chart History: Jennie". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  31. Real, Evan (December 7, 2018). "How K-Pop Superstars Blackpink Are Rewriting the Girl Group Narrative". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  32. "Jennie Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  33. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  34. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  35. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 16, 2018. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  36. "Jennie – Solo". YG, Interscope. November 12, 2018. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Spotify.
  37. "Solo – Jennie Music Video". Dextor Video. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  38. "[2019 가온차트]디지털 베스트 11월, 제니 '솔로'". News1 (in Korean). January 23, 2019. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  39. Gaea Katreena Cabico (October 25, 2019). "LIST: Official nominees for 2019 MAMA". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  40. "[2020 골든디스크] 청하X블랙핑크 제니, 본상 수상 '솔로퀸 활약'". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). January 4, 2020. Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  41. "Jennie Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  42. "Digital Chart – Week 46 of 2018" (in Korean). Gaon Digital Chart. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  43. "Kpop Hot 100: November 12–18, 2018". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 23, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  44. "World Digital Song Sales: December 1, 2018". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  45. 2018년 11월 Digital Chart [November 2018 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019.
  46. "2018년 Digital Chart" [Digital Chart – 2018] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  47. "2019년 Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  48. "South Korean single certifications – Jennie – SOLO" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  49. Real, Evan (December 7, 2018). "How K-Pop Superstars BLACKPINK Are Rewriting the Girl Group Narrative". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  50. "South Korea single certifications – Jennie – SOLO(Streaming)" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association(KMCA). Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  51. "Jennie – Solo – Single". YG Entertainment, Interscope. November 12, 2018. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019 – via Itunes Store.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.