BLACKPINK's Jennie Explains Her Reason for Leaving YG Entertainment

BLACKPINK's Jennie confesses her true feelings about leaving YG Entertainment and establishing one-man agency, ODD ATALIER also known as OA.

On January 2nd, Jennie appeared as the first guest of KBS 2TV's new program "The Seasons - Lee Hyori's Red Carpet." Host Lee Hyori and Jennie's meeting was considered a 'rare sight' by Korean media, particularly because both female artists are well known figures of their respective generation. Moreover, besides being the first-ever guest of Lee Hyori's new show, it was also Jennie's first time appearing on a KBS music program since debut, making their meeting even more special.



During the show, Lee Hyori asked about Jennie's solo career, which has recently became a hot topic in South Korea after the singer-actress announced the launch of OA, a label that will handle her solo activities. It is said that the label is co-founded by Jennie's mother and will have no other artists aside from her.

"I wanted to do group activities with the company I had been with for 7 years, but I wanted to be more free and comfortable in my individual activities, so I carefully founded a company called 'OA.' I've been working with the crew who have been with me for a long time. I wanted to do all my activities freely. The name is made to mean that I will do well, even if the path I go is strange or different from others. It's amazing because it's my first time to show it to the public while holding a microphone. I'm happy to be able to do it in front of unnie (Lee Hyori)," said Jennie.

The BLACKPINK member went on to say, "I learned so much (at YG), and since it was a company where I started as a trainee from the very beginning, there was so much I could do and learn there, so with the spirit of challenge, I asked myself, 'What can you do on your own in the future? I thought, 'Let's face it with courage!'"



As Jennie said, her individual activities will be handled by OA, but BLACKPINK's group activities will be with YG. In December last year, YG stated, "We recently signed an extension contract for BLACKPINK's group activities, and we have agreed not to add additional contracts for individual activities. We will do our best to support BLACKPINK, and we will cheer for the individual activities of the members with a warm heart."

When asked by Lee Hyori if there is a possibility of producing another artist under OA, Jennie tactfully replied, "Actually, I never dreamed of such a thing, but it was fun to imagine it while setting up a company. However, I think it would be nice to take good care of Jennie first and have good things happen in the future."

Jennie expressed hope to release a full-length solo album in 2024. "My dream is to release my first full-length solo album this year. I hope that Jennie can come back with good music within this year."

The first episode of "The Seasons - Lee Hyori's Red Carpet" will premiere on January 5th at 11:20 pm KST.

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