On April 10, 2012, Jennie was introduced through a photo titled “Who’s that girl?” via the official blog of YG Entertainment.[17] Her photograph gained interest from netizens, soon becoming the most searched topic on portal sites under the name “Mystery Girl”.[18][19] On August 30, YG Entertainment released a YouTube video through their blog titled “YG Trainee – Jennie Kim”, in which she covered B.o.B.‘s song “Strange Clouds” featuring Lil Wayne.[20][21] On September 1, Jennie made her first public appearance as the lead actress in G-Dragon‘s music video “That XX” from his extended play One of a Kind.[22][23]
In January 2013, another video titled “Jennie Kim – YG New Artist”, in which she covered the song “Lotus Flower Bomb” by rapper Wale, was released.[24] In March, Lee Hi featured Jennie on her B-side track, “Special” from her debut album, First Love.[25] In August, Jennie featured on Seungri‘s B-side track “GG Be” from his extended play Let’s Talk About Love.[26] In September, she featured on G-Dragon’s B-side track “Black“, recording the hook in less than five days before the release of his album Coup d’Etat.[27] On September 8, she made her first stage appearance alongside G-Dragon on SBS‘ Inkigayo.[28]
On June 1, 2016, Jennie was the first member to be revealed for YG Entertainment’s newest girl group, its first in seven years since 2NE1.[29] On August 8, 2016, she debuted as a member of Blackpink, alongside Kim Jisoo, Roseanne Park and Lalisa Manobal, with the release of their single album Square One alongside double A-side singles “Boombayah” and “Whistle“.[30] According to band-mate Jisoo, Jennie was responsible for the general duties and decision making of the group.[31][32] Jennie recounted her six-year experience as a trainee through V Live, stating each month a group, dance, and solo song were performed for the label’s CEO, producers and artists to watch and evaluate the progress of their training. She also recalled memories preparing outfits and songs, making musical accompaniments, and practicing choreography.[33] In 2018, Blackpink signed with Interscope Records in a global partnership with YG Entertainment.
