BLACKPINK’s Jennie tops music charts with new single, sans live performance.
The K-pop sensation clinched the #1 spot on Mnet’s M Countdown on Thursday with “Less than a Lover,” despite not appearing on the show.
Released on July 24, “Less than a Lover” quickly dominated the Bugs and Apple Music charts. The track also conquered iTunes Top Songs charts across 27 countries and regions, including Vietnam, Chile, Indonesia, and Peru. Its music video skyrocketed to the top of YouTube’s global trending chart for music videos and claimed the #1 spot on trending video charts in both Korea and the U.S.
Co-written and co-composed by Jennie herself, this alternative pop track explores the complex emotions of a relationship teetering between friendship and romance. The song’s lo-fi guitar riffs and vintage electric keyboard sounds perfectly capture the essence of a balmy summer night.
Since her 2016 debut with BLACKPINK, Jennie has been part of chart-topping hits like “Whistle,” “Playing with Fire,” “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” and “Shut Down.” She launched her solo career in 2018 with “SOLO” and further solidified her star power with her debut solo album Ruby last year, which was met with critical acclaim. Recently, Jennie has been making waves with solo performances at major music festivals across the U.S. and Europe.
Jennie is set to headline the star-studded Lollapalooza Chicago festival at Grant Park on August 1. Following this, she’ll grace the stage at Summer Sonic 2026, further cementing her status as a global pop icon.