K-pop drops: Jennie’s debut solo album in March, Got7’s first new album in 3 years

SEOUL – South Korean singer Jennie of K-pop girl group Blackpink is set to release her first solo studio album, Ruby, on March 7, according to her agency Odd Atelier on Jan 22.

The album will feature 15 tracks, including her hit single Mantra. Released in October 2024, it topped iTunes’ Top Songs chart in 47 countries, including the United States, Brazil, Mexico and Singapore.

Mantra was also the first song by a female K-pop solo artiste to hit No. 1 on iTunes’ Top Songs chart in the US, and appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two consecutive weeks.

Jennie, 29, collaborated with renowned artistes such as American singer-actor Childish Gambino and British-Albanian singer Dua Lipa for the album.

Fellow Blackpink member Jisoo is set to put out her second solo release on Feb 14. Lisa, another Blackpink member, is scheduled to release her first solo studio album, Alter Ego, on Feb 28. Rose released her debut solo studio album, Rosie, on Dec 6, 2024.

Meanwhile, K-pop boy band Got7 claimed the top spot on the iTunes Top Albums Chart in 27 regions with their 13th EP, Winter Heptagon, which was released on Jan 20. The main track, Python, was No. 1 on its Top Songs Chart in 13 regions.

The album is the septet’s first effort in almost three years to feature all members. It follows the band’s namesake EP, released in May 2022, which topped the iTunes Top Albums Chart in 95 regions.

The band comprise Mark, Jay B, Jackson, Jinyoung, Youngjae, BamBam and Yugyeom. 

Got7 are scheduled to hold a concert in Seoul on Feb 1 and 2 for the first time in six years. Tickets for the two-day concert were sold out after they went on sale on Jan 17. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK