In early March 2025, a 15-second teaser of BLACKPINK’s Jennie performing her new solo track “Like Jennie” lit the fuse for a cross-cultural online debate. Within hours of its release, listeners—especially those from India—noticed parallels between its melody and the “Rani” theme from the Bollywood film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, composed by Pritam. Side-by-side clips flooded social media, with some accusing Jennie of “copy-pasting” the Indian song, while others maintained it was pure coincidence. One incredulous user quipped on X, “Ran out of songs in Western pop, now she’s copying from Bollywood,” while another joked that seeing an artist “copying Pritam wasn’t in my 2025 bingo cards.” The hashtag “#LikeJenniePlagiarism” soon trended, as fans of actress Alia Bhatt (featured in the film’s song) clashed with Jennie’s loyal supporters across forums and comment sections.
On one side of the divide, critics blasted Jennie for allegedly lifting the “Rani anthem” without credit. “Did she just copy an Indian song?” a shocked user asked, capturing the disbelief of many. Others piled on, wondering why Jennie’s track “sounds like Rani’s intro theme” and urging her to “serve something original… instead of copy-pasting others.” Meanwhile, Jennie’s defenders were quick to push back, pointing out that sampling in music is common and not synonymous with plagiarism if the original creators are credited. Some fans also questioned whether Bollywood music is always original, suggesting the composer himself may have drawn inspiration from global sources. A few observers noted that the main similarity was simply the repeated hook—“RANI JENNIE”—possibly a catchy coincidence born from rhyming names. Despite the swirling debate, “Like Jennie” had not even officially dropped, and it was already one of the most talked-about songs of the year.
Amid the uproar, Jennie and her team maintained a noticeable silence. Neither the artist nor her new label, Odd Atelier, released an immediate statement about the plagiarism claims, leaving a vacuum quickly filled by speculation. Detractors viewed the silence as an admission of guilt, while supporters argued it was best to ignore an unfounded controversy. As calls for clarification grew, some Bollywood fans demanded acknowledgement if the teaser had indeed sampled a Hindi song, whereas Jennie’s followers believed that once full credits were revealed, the uproar would die down.
A surprising voice of reason emerged within a day: Pritam himself. The Indian composer whose work Jennie was accused of copying took to Instagram on March 7 to address the rumors. In a measured statement, he refuted any notion of malicious plagiarism. Acknowledging fan chatter over similarities, he urged everyone to “see the bigger picture,” noting that in today’s interconnected world, artists share platforms and sometimes arrive at similar ideas by chance. He also encouraged calm and stressed that both songs could coexist without undermining each other.
Pritam’s public defense flipped the narrative and was met with widespread appreciation, effectively defusing the tension. By the time “Like Jennie” and Jennie’s solo album Ruby officially launched on March 7, the focus had shifted from controversy to music. Jennie’s camp never had to respond directly; the endorsement from the very composer she was accused of copying spoke volumes. In the end, a potential East-Meets-West feud became an example of artistic solidarity across cultures, setting a conciliatory tone as Ruby hit the shelves.
Once the dust settled, Ruby, Jennie’s debut solo album, claimed center stage. Highly anticipated—partly because it marked her evolution from K-pop idol to standalone artist—Ruby amassed over 450,000 pre-orders worldwide, underscoring Jennie’s global influence.
Jennie showcases versatile artistry across 15 eclectic tracks. “Like Jennie” is confident, playful swagger. Over an electrifying beat, Jennie name-checks herself, merging braggadocio with a cheeky challenge for anyone eager to match her energy. Ruby is an exhilarating listen, blending diverse sounds, and a fast-moving good time.
Perhaps Ruby sacrificed cohesion for variety. The album traverses pop, R&B, hip-hop, and EDM, and it shows as more of a dynamic playlist than a unified collection. There are empowering, feminist themes—essential messages from an artist who has navigated intense scrutiny while shaping a global brand. These songs will resonate with listeners hungry for music that celebrates self-definition, a sign of how far-reaching K-pop’s cultural footprint has become.The featured tracks with top-tier Western artists—Dua Lipa, Childish Gambino, Doechii, Dominic Fike, and Kali Uchis—enhanced the album’s appeal, they sometimes overshadow Jennie on her own debut and some collaborations lack fireworks. Ruby blurs boundaries by enlisting top international voices for a distinctly global musical palette. Its throwback nods to R&B and pop from past decades—seems an intentional move to resonate with broader audiences. In doing so, Ruby reveals how much K-pop has grown beyond niche status to embrace and influence mainstream pop worldwide, a level of East-West collaboration once considered rare.
Ruby represents a turning point in the ever-expanding global pop scene. Jennie’s journey—from a K-pop group under a major entertainment company to founding her own label—embodies changing industry dynamics. Co-produced by the artist herself and recorded largely in Los Angeles with a fresh team of collaborators, Ruby serves as a case study in cross-continental music creation. Jennie even prepared a “Jennie Only” version of the album without guest features, signaling her confidence in her solo voice.
From an industry perspective, Ruby serves as a bellwether for East-West music ventures. Its commercial success may encourage more labels to invest in K-pop idols as global trailblazers, while demonstrating how seamlessly multiple languages and genres can coalesce. BLACKPINK’s members have each explored solo projects, but Jennie’s pivot to a fully realized album could set a new standard for international collaborations. By refusing to be boxed into a single genre, Ruby signals a broader shift: the future of pop belongs to artists who adapt and innovate across cultural lines.
Ultimately, the release of Ruby is less about controversy and more about the new pathways it illuminates—ones in which a K-pop superstar can simultaneously be an empowered figure of international pop, a champion of personal authenticity, and a catalyst for evolving trends. Amid the mosaic of today’s music scene, Jennie’s first solo album stands as a vivid new tile, one whose impact will continue rippling long after the final notes fade.