Editor’s Choice: The Best of the BLACKPINK Solo Era
2025 is a fantastic year to be a BLACKPINK fan. A series of viral music videos, four unique solo albums, and an epic world tour reunion? This is already legendary!
For a little context, BLACKPINK is the most iconic k-pop group ever and every single member of the group is an actual star. The group took a break to work on solo projects, and it has been so fun and exciting to get to know each one of the members a little more by listening to their new music.
First off, ROSE released her solo album Rosie back in December 6th 2024, which I reviewed in a previous article. The album was released with a music video for “toxic till the end,” which has been a tough act to follow, but overall, I think that each of the girls did an amazing job at showcasing their own individual styles with the release of each of their solo projects.
Next, JISOO released her mini album AMORTAGE on February 14th 2025 with a music video for her hit song “earthquake.” Then, LISA released her solo album Alter Ego on February 28th 2025 with another music video for her banger “FXCK UP THE WORLD.” Finally, on March 7th 2025, JENNIE released her highly anticipated album Ruby with a music video for her catchy theme song “like JENNIE” along with a solo tour called the Ruby Experience.
I’m absolutely here for all of the BLACKPINK solo projects, but because they released three albums this quarter, instead of writing three different reviews, I wanted to share what I thought were the best highlights of this new collection of solo music — like an award show!
Now, I’d like to present the editor’s choices:
Best Vocals - number one girl by ROSE
The best vocals, out of all four solo albums, goes to “number one girl” by ROSE. As I’ve said before, this ballad was a powerful demonstration of what her vocals and emotions could do through some of the saddest and realest lyrics ever. I really felt like I got to know more of ROSE by listening to this song.
“Tell me that you need me, tell me that I'm loved
Tell me that I'm worth it, and that I'm enough
I need it and I don't know why
This late at night…”
Best Choreography - Mantra by JENNIE
The best dance choreography goes to “Mantra” by JENNIE. JENNIE is a genius for making her comeback with this song — not only is it fun, catchy, and upbeat, but she also paired it with great choreography like the k-pop star she is. Overall, “Mantra” was super catchy to both the eyes and the ears.
“This that pretty-girl mantra, she's that stunna
Everyone know that she is me (ah)”
Best Solo Performance - earthquake by JISOO
The best solo performance goes to the actress herself, JISOO, for her music video “earthquake.” I was really surprised by this one. For a while, it seemed like JISOO was pretty quiet while the other members were dropping viral music videos. It turned out that JISOO was focusing on her acting career, but she made her comeback with a mini album and a music video for “earthquake.” The video feels like a movie!
“It hits me like an earthquake (uh-huh)
더 빠르게 my heart race (uh-huh)
온몸이 떨려, can't stand (uh-huh)
널 부정할 수 없게 (uh-huh)
I think I'm gonna…”
Best Collaboration - Born Again by LISA, Doja Cat, Raye
There are so many great collaborations to choose from (honorable mentions are JENNIE x Doechii, ROSE x Bruno Mars, and LISA x Rosalia), but I’d say that the best one would be “Born Again” by LISA, Doja Cat, and Ray. I thought it was well done in a way where each singer got to bring their own sound and style to the collaboration and shine equally.
“If you tried just a little more times
I would've made you a believer
Would’ve showed you what it's like (Like)
Every single night
To be born again, baby, to be born again”
Best Music Video - toxic till the end by ROSE
Again, there are so many great ones to choose from (with each new music video easily earning millions of views, the girls from BLACKPINK are not making this category easy), but I’d say that the best music video goes to “toxic till the end” by ROSE. I love the 35mm film aesthetic and I picked this one because I would want to see ROSE and Evan in a full on movie.
“Back then, when I was runnin' out of your place
I said, "I never wanna see your face"
I meant I couldn't wait to see it again
We were toxic till the end
Uh-huh, 'cause even when I said it was over
You heard, "Baby, can you pull me in closer?"
You were plotting how to stay in my head
We were toxic till the end, end, end”
Biggest Impact - APT by ROSE and Bruno Mars
By no comparison, “APT” by ROSE and Bruno Mars has made the biggest cultural impact. This song was the biggest thing in k-pop since “Gangnam Style” and it has already made the billions club on both Spotify and YouTube.
“It's whatever, it's whatever, it's whatever you like
Turn this 아파트 into a club
I'm talking drink, dance, smoke, freak, party all night
건배, 건배, girl, what's up? (Oh-oh-oh)
Don't you want me like I want you, baby?
Don't you need me like I need you now?
Sleep tomorrow, but tonight go crazy
All you gotta do is just meet me at the
아파트, 아파트, 아파트, 아파트
아파트, 아파트, uh, uh-huh, uh-huh…”
Best Album - Ruby by Jennie
From exploring new styles of music to the creativity in all of her music videos, the best solo album goes to JENNIE who truly delivered the full Ruby Experience. Musically, we got to hear a new side of JENNIE through different genres in songs like “Handlebars” and “with the IE (way up).” Visually, each of her music videos were interesting like “Zen” and “Love Hangover”. Plus, she delivered some iconic choreography in “Manta,” “ExtraL,” and “like JENNIE”. JENNIE’s album felt multidimensional in a way that really showcased how talented she is as an artist.
Editor’s Pick - Zen by Jennie
Compositionally, lyrically, and visually — I think that “Zen” by JENNIE was the best all around song and video. When the video was originally released, it felt like JENNIE just dropped this masterpiece out of the blue and was already onto promoting ‘Love Hangover.’ Like, wait. Hold on. I need another minute to process this and the more I listen to this song, the more badass it gets.
