BLACKPINK's Jennie recently made a significant return to the Melon Music Awards (MMA) stage, captivating audiences not only with her performances and multiple wins but also with her deeply symbolic outfits. Her choices highlighted Korean culture and language, drawing widespread acclaim for their thoughtful design.
Key Takeaways
- Jennie won three awards at MMA 2025, including 'Record of the Year'.
- Her stage outfits featured traditional Korean elements and Hangeul.
- A 15-meter veil displayed verses from 'Cheonggu Yeongeon'.
- A jacket had 2,000 sequins, each engraved with 'Jennie' in Hangeul.
- Dancers wore modern interpretations of traditional Korean attire.
A Return to the MMA Stage
Jennie's appearance at the MMA 2025 marked her first time back at the domestic awards ceremony in seven years. The event, held on December 20th, saw her achieve remarkable success. She secured three prestigious awards, including the Grand Prize category 'Record of the Year' for her debut solo full album, 'Ruby'. Additionally, she was honored with a Top 10 award and a Millions Top 10 award.
Beyond the accolades, it was Jennie's deliberate incorporation of Korean cultural elements into her stage attire that truly resonated with fans and critics alike. Her stylistic choices became a central talking point, demonstrating a deep appreciation for her heritage.
Did You Know?
Jennie's album 'Ruby' ranked 29th on Rolling Stone's 'The 100 Best Albums of 2025', the highest for a K-pop artist.
The Symbolic Veil: Verses of 'Cheonggu Yeongeon'
During her performance of the track 'Seoul City', Jennie appeared on stage wearing a striking 15-meter-long veil. This expansive piece stretched from high stage equipment down to the floor, creating a dramatic visual impact. The veil was not merely decorative; it was densely inscribed with verses from 'Cheonggu Yeongeon'.
About 'Cheonggu Yeongeon'
'Cheonggu Yeongeon' is significant as the first song lyric book ever recorded in Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. Its inclusion on Jennie's veil served as a powerful homage to Korean literary history.
The verses displayed on the veil included lines such as, "May today be today / May every day be today / Do not set nor rise / If you must rise, may it always be today." This poetic content added a layer of profound meaning to her performance. The brand LE JE, which produced the outfit, stated that the veil symbolized "a moment of confronting one’s origin and identity," highlighting Jennie's connection to her roots.
Jacket Adorned with Hangeul Name
For her 'Like Jennie' performance, the artist wore a jumper completely covered in sequins. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that each of the 2,000 sequins was meticulously engraved with her name, "Jennie," in silver foil using Hangeul. This intricate detail reportedly required over 200 hours of production time.
"This clothing is not just decoration but a record of the time spent proving oneself by repeatedly invoking one’s own name," explained LE JE. "It completes a modern image of a woman who defines herself through her own language, not through others’ perspectives."
This particular outfit emphasized self-definition and personal identity, conveyed through the medium of the Korean alphabet. It presented a modern interpretation of personal branding intertwined with cultural pride.
Dancers in Modernized Traditional Attire
Jennie was joined on stage by 50 dancers, whose outfits also carried significant cultural weight. The dancers wore white sapok pants, a traditional Korean garment characterized by having no pleats at the waist and narrowing towards the ankles. These pants were reinterpreted in a contemporary style.
LE JE elaborated on the design, stating, "Like the guardian deities protecting Jennie, we reinterpreted traditional sapok pants, jeogori, and haengjeon in a modern way." This approach extended the theme of cultural homage to the entire stage production, creating a cohesive visual narrative.
Award Ceremony Dress with Architectural Inspiration
Even during the awards ceremony itself, Jennie continued her theme of incorporating Korean elements. When accepting the 'Record of the Year' award, she wore a dress featuring unique pleats at the center of the upper body. These pleats were designed to resemble the distinctive shape of Bulguksa Temple’s Seokgatap Pagoda in Gyeongju.
The design, according to LE JE, focused on emphasizing Korean aesthetics through proportion and balance, rather than relying on flashy decorations. This subtle yet powerful detail showcased how traditional architectural forms could be elegantly integrated into modern fashion, offering a sophisticated blend of past and present.
Overwhelming Online Reaction
The video of Jennie’s stage performance quickly went viral on Melon’s YouTube channel. As of December 22nd, it garnered over 6.1 million views and more than 24,000 comments. The online community expressed immense praise for Jennie's thoughtful approach to her performances.
Netizens shared comments such as, "It seems she has reached a certain realm," and "I felt awe while watching the stage." Many appreciated the deliberate effort to integrate Korean culture into a domestic awards ceremony, calling it a "performance worthy of a domestic awards ceremony."
Jennie's influence extends beyond music. She was also selected as number one in "Korean Idols of the Year 2025" by Forbes Korea, further solidifying her status as a global star. Her recent MMA performance underscored her artistic vision and cultural pride, leaving a lasting impression on fans worldwide.