Blackpink shifts back to solo mode as Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa line up releases

Blackpink is returning to a solo-focused strategy as three of its members, Jennie, Jisoo and Lisa, prepare to unveil new solo projects. Following the group’s 10th anniversary celebration and the completion of its “Deadline” world tour, the K-pop supergroup is stepping back from collective activity, allowing its members to explore individual artistic directions. Jennie kicked off this phase with the release of her digital EP Fallen Angel on Friday, marking her return to solo work after nearly 18 months since her debut album Ruby. Jisoo is set to follow with her long-awaited first studio album, Click, scheduled for September 4, while Lisa will drop her next album, Press Play, on October 23. Each artist is pursuing a distinct creative path, reflecting the evolving dynamics within the group. The group’s recent activities culminated in the release of its third Deadline EP in February, their first group album in almost four years. The project came after a lengthy world tour that spanned late 2025 into early 2026. Despite some criticism over the lack of formal group celebrations during the anniversary, the group still marked the occasion with a public event on August 8, the date of their debut. This period of collective engagement appears to have officially concluded, paving the way for each member to take center stage individually. Jennie’s latest offering, Fallen Angel, features three tracks, including the title song Heaven and the previously released Less Than a Lover. The latter, a more subdued alternative pop piece, showcases a different side of her artistry compared to earlier works. With lo-fi guitar and vintage keyboard textures, the song evokes a sense of quiet intimacy, capturing the emotional complexity of relationships that hover between friendship and love. Less Than a Lover quickly made waves, topping iTunes’ Top Songs charts in 27 regions upon its release. Jisoo’s upcoming album Click promises to expand her sonic repertoire. Her last solo release, the EP Amortage, achieved remarkable success, reaching number one on iTunes’ Top Albums charts in 45 countries and featuring the hit single Earthquake, which dominated Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales. In addition to these achievements, Jisoo collaborated with British singer Zayn on the track Eyes Closed, which debuted at number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her new album will mark her first full-length studio effort, further solidifying her status as a leading force in K-pop. Lisa, whose debut album Alter Ego in 2025 became one of the most successful K-pop solo albums ever, is gearing up for Press Play. The album will include the pre-release single SaWaDiKa, inspired by the Thai greeting sawasdee ka. This track hints at the cultural influences that will shape Press Play, which aims to blend her Thai roots with her international experience. Alter Ego itself saw over 23.4 million streams on Spotify in its opening day, securing a top spot on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart and reaching number seven on the Billboard 200. This current wave of solo releases follows a pattern established by Blackpink since they left YG Entertainment. Starting with Lisa’s Rockstar in 2024, each member began exploring unique styles, Jennie with Mantra, Jisoo with Earthquake, and Rose with her collaborations, notably the massive hit APT. with Bruno Mars. Rose, however, has yet to announce new solo projects for 2026. Her 2024 album Rosie showcased a range of genres, including pop rock and indie pop, while APT. became her highest-charting solo track, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Grammy nominations.