BLACKPINK’s Jennie has officially cemented her status as a global cultural icon, stepping onto the red carpet at the 2026 TIME100 Gala in New York City. Held on April 23 at the Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the prestigious event gathered the world’s most influential changemakers. Among the elite crowd of politicians, activists, and artists, Jennie stood out as the sole K-pop artist to make this year’s list, marking a historic milestone for both her career and the Korean music industry.
A Vision in Custom Schiaparelli
The 30-year-old superstar commanded attention the moment she arrived. Jennie wore a custom black corset-style gown from Schiaparelli’s Fall/Winter 2026/27 collection, designed by Daniel Roseberry. The daring dress featured striking geometric lines and a bold cleavage-cut top, perfectly balancing avant-garde high fashion with refined elegance. With her hair pulled back into a sleek, sophisticated updo, she delivered a look that underscored her evolution from a K-pop idol to a modern global fashion muse. During the event, she was seen effortlessly mingling with international stars, including a notable red-carpet chat with Hollywood actress Dakota Johnson.
Gracie Abrams’ Heartfelt Tribute
Jennie’s inclusion in the “Artists” category of the TIME100 list was accompanied by a touching tribute penned by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams. The American artist did not hold back in her praise, writing, “To cut to the chase: Jennie is a star.” Abrams highlighted the unique duality that makes the BLACKPINK member so captivating, noting, “What makes Jennie a true star is that even in her quiet moments, she possesses the same kind of undeniable presence that cuts through all the noise, and she carries that with kindness and warmth.” Abrams concluded her tribute by emphasizing that Jennie “has a softness that only emphasizes her strength. I just love her.”
The Unstoppable Success of ‘Ruby’
This TIME100 recognition arrives at the peak of Jennie’s solo career. On March 7, 2025, she released her highly anticipated 15-track solo album, Ruby, which featured high-profile collaborations with artists like Childish Gambino and Dua Lipa. The album debuted at No. 3 on the global Spotify Weekly Top Albums chart, becoming the highest-charting album released in 2025 by a K-pop act. Furthermore, Ruby officially became the most-streamed 2025 album by a Korean pop star on Spotify.
Her chart dominance is unprecedented. Jennie achieved a massive milestone by becoming the first female K-pop solo artist to place three songs on the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously. Her track “Like Jennie” was the most-streamed K-pop song on Spotify in the first half of 2025. In total, she has surpassed 1.8 billion streams on Spotify in 2025 alone, making her the first female K-pop act and soloist to reach this incredible number.
Billboard Records and Award Sweeps
Jennie’s collaborative efforts have also yielded massive success. “Dracula (JENNIE Remix),” a track featuring Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, recently reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify—her 12th song to achieve this feat. With seven total entries on the Hot 100, she currently holds the record among K-pop female soloists. The track is even nominated for Favorite Song of the Summer at the upcoming American Music Awards.
Her critical acclaim matches her commercial success. At the 2026 Golden Disc Awards, Jennie made history as the first soloist to win “Artist of the Year.” She also swept the Korean Music Awards (KMA), taking home Best K-pop Song for “Like Jennie” and Best K-pop Album for Ruby.
Paving the Way for the Next Generation
Born Kim Jennie in Seoul and having studied in New Zealand before debuting with BLACKPINK in 2016, her journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From launching her solo career in 2018 with “Solo” to expanding into acting and now standing as the sole K-pop representative on the 2026 TIME100 list, Jennie continues to break boundaries. She joins other notable Korean Americans on this year’s list, including nine-time Grammy winner Anderson .Paak and Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim, proving that her influence extends far beyond the realm of music.
