Why Blackpink's Jennie Found 'More Freedom' in L.A. as Opposed to Seoul

In a 'Billboard' cover story, the musician also opened up about the process of making her upcoming solo album

Songyi Yoon Jennie for 'Billboard' in January 2025

Songyi Yoon

Jennie for 'Billboard' in January 2025

For Jennie, Los Angeles has her heart.

In a Thursday, Jan. 9 cover story with Billboard, the Blackpink musician, 28, opened up about why she's found "more freedom" in L.A. as opposed to her native Seoul.

“I could definitely go out and eat whenever I want to, wherever I want to,” she told the publication, before elaborating on the biggest dichotomy between the two places: “I learn a lot from people [in L.A.]. It’s a great environment, especially for people in music, to meet people that can inspire you.”

Songyi Yoon Jennie for 'Billboard' in January 2025

Songyi Yoon

Jennie for 'Billboard' in January 2025

Related: Why BLACKPINK's ROSÉ Says 2024 Was Her 'Toughest and Most Rewarding Year': 'This Whole Journey Was Not Easy'

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Jennie revealed that recording the majority of her debut solo album in L.A. was “very intentionally done."

"I just really wanted to throw myself out there to experience it," she said. "[In Seoul], I was so comforted in an easy environment that I created a long time ago, and I didn’t enjoy it. I was like, ‘No, if this is your career and if this is your life, explore and learn.’ I kept telling myself that.”

Still, Jennie found challeges when it came to the creative process in a new city — something she described as "rough."

“I struggled a lot in the beginning,” she said. “A few months, I would say, was just me throwing myself out there, walking into rooms filled with new people. I just had to keep knocking on the door, like, ‘Is this it?’ ‘Is this it?’ and then eventually, we got to a point where I found a good group of people that I linked with, sonically and as friends.”

Jennie also addressed the secrecy around her album — and when fans could expect one.

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“It’s not nice to be someone who’s always like, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t say anything,’ ” she said of the LP she began working on in early 2024. “I want to say I’m almost there."

However, Jennie didn't offer a timeframe on its release date.

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Songyi Yoon Jennie for 'Billboard' in January 2025

Songyi Yoon

Jennie for 'Billboard' in January 2025

Related: BLACKPINK: What You Need to Know About K-Pop's Biggest Girl Group

“I’m just going to say, ‘I don’t do well with time,’ ” she said.

Blackpink is set to reunite with a tour and new music in 2025. Their last tour in 2022 included 66 shows with over 1.8 million tickets sold.

Although the group never officially disbanded, all four members: Jennie, Lisa, Rosé and Jisoo, signed individual contracts to pursue solo careers.

Read the original article on People