BLACKPINK’s Jennie Reflects on the Challenges of Trainee Life and Its Impact on Her Childhood: ‘It Was Really Difficult to Accept’

Jennie from BLACKPINK Reflects on Her Challenging Trainee Days

In a revealing conversation on the Fairy Jaehyung YouTube channel, Jennie, a member of the globally acclaimed group BLACKPINK, opened up about the rigorous and demanding experience of her training period at YG Entertainment. Commencing her journey at just 14 years old, Jennie shared her insights into the pressures and emotional hardships that defined those early years.

The Cruel Reality of Training

Jennie described the trainee assessments as “cruel”and fiercely competitive. The mental strain was significant, especially when witnessing fellow trainees leave after evaluations.“It was really difficult to accept, ”she remarked, highlighting the intense atmosphere of competition.

Seeing Rivals Instead of Friends

During her time as a trainee, Jennie’s focus on achieving debut status led her to perceive her peers primarily as rivals.“I got trapped in a mindset where I only saw people as rivals. Being a trainee was all about competition, ”she explained. She felt the pressure to outperform others, believing, “If that person doesn’t make it, then I must.”

The Impact of Training on BLACKPINK’s Success

Despite the grueling 12-hour training sessions that encompassed singing, dancing, and rapping, Jennie acknowledged that those formative experiences played a crucial role in BLACKPINK’s transformation into an internationally celebrated group. When asked if she would do it all again, she confidently expressed her commitment, stating, “I only want to do this for this lifetime.”

Debut Album and Exclusive Concerts

Jennie’s reflections come as she promotes her debut solo studio album, Ruby, which was released on March 7. The album features pre-released singles like “Mantra”and “Love Hangover, ”along with collaborations with renowned artists such as Childish Gambino, Dua Lipa, and Dominic Fike.

Before the album’s launch, Jennie hosted “The Ruby Experience, ”an intimate concert tour across cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Seoul. Each concert, lasting over an hour, showcased Jennie’s talent as she performed all 15 tracks from her album, complete with a live band and choreographed routines.

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