Blackpink may have made her a household name, but this single is pure Jennie—stripped of the girl-group gloss, it’s her manifesto of self-worth and sass, with no room for triviality. She’s declaring that there’s only one competition that matters, and it’s with the person in the mirror. When she belts out, “Pretty girls don’t do drama ’less we wanna,” you can almost picture her shrugging off any nonsense with a perfectly arched brow.

At a time when society loves a good showdown, Jennie turns her back on the noise. Released on International Day of the Girl, October 11, the song strikes a chord as a call for female empowerment. This day celebrates the voices and rights of young women globally, with Jennie’s song amplifying that message with a larger cultural wave—from global activism projects to fashion and beauty brands launching limited-edition collections. October seems dedicated to girl power—and Pretty Girl Mantra delivers the soundtrack.

Jennie broke out as a solo star with Solo back in 2018, and she’s only levelled up since—going from global icon to screen-ready actress. But Pretty Girl Mantra marks a turning point. Now outside the company that built her, she’s crafting a new era on her own terms. The track pulses with an LA coolness, and Jennie lays down her “pretty girl mantra” to a beat that makes you want to hit repeat.

Jennie opens up in a recent interview with a leading magazine.

The music video, directed by Tanu Muino, captures this sense of freedom and expression. Shot in iconic spots around LA, the visuals start with a young girl lip-syncing along in the backseat, before shifting to Jennie cruising around the city in statement-making looks—even rocking blonde hair. Jennie’s journey through the city speaks to every woman’s right to explore, exist and embrace their own glow, drama-free.

With her new partnership under her own label Odd Atelier and Columbia Records, with whom she signed this past September, Jennie’s era of self-determination is well underway. Her lyrics draw a line in the sand: the only competition worth having is with yourself. “Pretty girls don’t do drama ’less we wanna,” she chants, wielding the line like a battle cry for self-worth and freedom. By the chorus, it’s obvious—Jennie’s here to set her own rules. In a world all too quick to put women head-to-head, Jennie flips the narrative.  Let’s unpack her words for anyone ready to live by Jennie’s mantra.

Lesson: Choose your battles.

Jennie’s message? Don’t waste your energy on nonsense. It’s a boundary-setting anthem: drama only gets a seat at the table if you decide it does. She reminds us that confidence means deciding when and if drama has a place in our lives. It’s a boundary-setting mantra: we don’t have to entertain chaos unless we choose to.

Lesson: Stand up for your people.

In Jennie’s world, your circle is tight and no one’s dragging you down without a fight. The Defender becomes a symbol of protection—for herself and her friends. This part of her mantra emphasises standing up for the people you care about and making sure no one in your circle faces negativity alone.

Lesson: Keep it classy, cut the noise.

With clever wordplay, she dismisses drama with a flick of the wrist. It’s about staying cool and keeping the peace—your way.

The K-pop machine is a juggernaut that waits for no one—not even Jennie from Blackpink. Recently, she’s landed under a spotlight that most would rather avoid, facing murmurs about “lazy” or low-energy performances from some corners of her dedicated fanbase. The scrutiny, as only K-pop stardom invites, has sparked a tug-of-war across social media: on one side, fans critiquing every step and claiming she’s running on fumes; on the other, loyal defenders who suggest she’s simply dialling back, perhaps from the unrelenting pressures of a whirlwind tour schedule. The question that remains, then, isn’t just whether Jennie’s performances have dipped but how long we expect K-pop’s brightest stars to burn with that trademark intensity before the inevitable burnout catches up with them.

Lesson: Authenticity wins.

Jennie’s mantra isn’t about high-stakes glam but embracing comfort. Confidence doesn’t need a costume; it shines from within. Jennie’s choice to show up in pyjamas straight from a cold plunge speaks to confidence in her own skin, stripping away high-stakes glamour for a more unfiltered version of herself.

Of all the Met Gala after-party looks, Jennie’s daring choice of pyjamas was perhaps the evening’s most talked-about surprise. Her laid-back approach struck a defiant note amid the night’s otherwise opulent outfits, prompting fans to debate whether she’d crafted the ultimate ironic statement or simply wanted a comfortable night out. Either way, Jennie once again displayed her knack for fashion subversion, reminding us all that even in pyjamas, she has a unique gift for commanding the spotlight.

Lesson: Adapt, but stay true.

She’s about balance—switching gears without losing her essence. You can embrace change, all while keeping your core intact. This line encourages adaptability—moving through different spaces and personas while keeping her integrity intact. It’s a reminder that you can embrace change and transformation without compromising who you are.

Lesson: Joy without guilt.

Life’s short, so why not let loose? Jennie’s mantra here is that a bit of fun is its own kind of power. She reminds us there’s value in fun, even if it’s fleeting. Life doesn’t always need to be serious, and true confidence means allowing yourself joy on your own terms.

Lesson: Loyalty is everything.

Her Bonnies are those ride-or-die friendships. It’s about sticking by the people who lift you up.

Lesson: Protect your glow.

Jennie’s inner radiance isn’t up for debate; it’s resilience embodied. Stay bright, no matter the shade.

The rumoured relationship between Jennie from Blackpink and BTS’s V has stirred up a wave of opinions online, with many netizens divided. While some fans are excited by the idea of two K-pop superstars together, others have been vocal in their criticism, questioning if Jennie is “good enough” for V. The controversy intensified after alleged photos of the two surfaced, sparking heated discussions on social media. As with many high-profile relationships, public opinion can be swift and intense, with some questioning compatibility and others supporting the pair’s potential romance. Regardless, both Jennie and V continue to handle the attention with the grace expected of K-pop royalty, maintaining focus on their careers amidst the rumours.

Lesson: Cut the chaos, focus on what matters.

Prioritise what matters and let go of what doesn’t. She’s all about investing in what fuels her, leaving the petty stuff in the dust.

Lesson: Be unbothered, unforgettable.

Jennie’s presence lingers, not because she chases fame, but because she owns who she is, unshaken.

Lesson: Laugh it off.

A lighthearted ending that says it all—self-love doesn’t need to be serious. Sometimes you just laugh, let go and move on.

Pretty Girl Mantra isn’t just Jennie’s latest hit—it’s a rallying cry for anyone done with the drama, ready to embrace their own worth, and happy to leave the chaos at the door. If October is for the girls, then Jennie’s song is the anthem we’ve all been waiting for.