BLACKPINK’s Jennie continues her solo reign, as her debut full-length album Ruby has been officially recognized by two of the world’s most respected music outlets—Billboard in the U.S. and NME in the U.K.—as one of the best albums of the year so far.
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| Photo Credit - Odd Atelier |
Released in March, Ruby is Jennie’s first solo studio album, featuring 15 genre-spanning tracks and a strong artistic direction she helped craft herself. The record has not only captured the hearts of fans worldwide but also earned critical acclaim from industry gatekeepers.
NME described Ruby as “bold and mythic in its storytelling,” specifically highlighting the atmospheric track “Zen” as a standout. The U.K.-based magazine included Ruby in its mid-year roundup of top albums, placing Jennie alongside global icons like Lady Gaga and G-Dragon.
Meanwhile, Billboard also featured Ruby in its “50 Best Albums of 2025 So Far,” praising its emotional honesty and lyrical confidence—especially in the title track “like JENNIE.” Notably, Jennie is the only K-pop act to be included in both lists, underscoring her exceptional reach and influence in a competitive global landscape.
Ruby had already been spotlighted by other leading music platforms like Rolling Stone and Complex earlier this year, solidifying Jennie’s solo credentials. Beyond the praise, the album’s commercial impact has been historic: Jennie became the first female K-pop soloist to simultaneously land three songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and achieved the highest first-week album sales for a Korean female solo artist in 2025 with over 661,000 copies sold.
With Ruby, Jennie isn’t just stepping into her own spotlight—she’s redefining what it means to be a global pop force from Korea. Her rise is more than just a solo moment; it’s a statement.