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BLACKPINK’s Jennie Kim has cemented her status as a formidable global artist, with her first solo album ‘Ruby’ achieving unprecedented chart success and receiving widespread critical acclaim in 2025. The self-produced album is being celebrated on numerous prestigious year-end lists from major platforms like Rolling Stone, Forbes Korea, Spotify, and Apple Music, proving its massive impact on the K-pop music landscape.
Critical Acclaim from Major Publications
The album’s artistic merit has been recognized by some of the most respected names in music journalism, highlighting the quality of the Jennie solo album. This praise underscores its significance beyond just commercial performance.
Rolling Stone’s “Best Albums of 2025”
On December 3, 2025, esteemed U.S. magazine Rolling Stone unveiled its “The 100 Best Albums of 2025” list, placing ‘Ruby’ at an impressive #29. This is the highest ranking achieved by any K-pop artist this year. The publication praised the album for its masterful modernization of 2000s and 2010s R&B-pop, noting Jennie Kim’s powerful command of the genre and her unique musical identity.
Forbes Korea’s Top Honor
Further solidifying her influence, Jennie Kim was named #1 on Forbes Korea’s “KOREAN IDOLS OF THE YEAR 2025.” This prestigious ranking acknowledges her exceptional activities and influence throughout the year, marking her as a leading figure in the industry.
Unprecedented Streaming and Chart Success
‘Ruby’ has not only won over critics but has also dominated global streaming platforms, demonstrating incredible chart success. The album and its title track have set new records for a K-pop solo artist, reaching a massive international audience.
Dominance on Spotify’s 2025 Year-End Lists
On Spotify, Jennie Kim’s presence was undeniable. She was the only Korean artist featured in the global “Spotify Wrapped 2025” campaign. Furthermore, ‘Ruby’ was the sole album by a K-pop solo artist to make it onto Spotify’s “Best Pop Albums of 2025.” The title track, ‘like JENNIE’, landed at #43 on the “Most-Streamed Songs of 2025” globally, the highest for a song released by a K-pop female artist in 2025. This kind of performance shows more than just chart success; it reflects a deep connection with a global fanbase.
Making History on Apple Music
Jennie Kim also made history on Apple Music. Her title track ‘like JENNIE’ ranked #62 on the platform’s official 2025 year-end chart, “Top 100: Global.” This achievement makes her the first K-pop solo artist to ever enter this chart, a milestone that speaks volumes about her reach as a global artist. Her success raises interesting questions about what will shape the future of Korean music promotion and global penetration. The achievements of ‘Ruby’ prove that Jennie Kim is not just a member of BLACKPINK but a powerhouse artist in her own right, successfully conveying her musical vision to the world.
This brief was automatically generated from official updates. For in-depth coverage, visit our Trends section.
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