Jennie appeared with Blackpink member Jisoo on Running Man in July 2018.^[35] A video of Jennie crying after going through a horror room with Lee Kwang-soo went viral in South Korea, gaining over one million views on one site and a total of over three million views across multiple platforms, VODs, and social media. She was subsequently selected as one of the best variety stars of 2018 following her discovery on Running Man.^[36] Jennie was invited to the show again after attracting attention during her previous appearance.^[37][38] Jennie was said to have ranked first among casting choices and received multiple offers from different variety shows.^[39][40] On October 1, Jennie was confirmed to join as a cast member for SBS’ new variety show Village Survival, the Eight, her first permanent casting in a television series.

In mid-October 2018, an announcement of Jennie’s official solo debut was made.^[42] Following a series of promotional teasers, it was revealed she would release a single album titled Solo with a lead single of the same name. In the midst of preparation for her debut, it was decided that her single “Solo” would first be revealed through Blackpink’s In Your Area tour in Seoul on November 10, ahead of release two days later.^[43] The song was described as a hip hop track with pop elements and was designed to showcase Jennie’s sides as both a “delicate girl” and “independent woman”.^[44] To promote the single, YG Entertainment aired the Jennie – ‘Solo’ Diary series on YouTube, sharing glimpses of her work throughout the promotion period of the single.

Upon release, “Solo” debuted on Gaon Music Chart at number one and achieved a triple crown for simultaneously topping the domestic digital, download, and streaming charts. The single remained the on the digital and mobile charts for two further consecutive weeks and on the streaming chart for a further three consecutive weeks.^[46][47] “Solo” was certified platinum for streaming by the KMCA and soon won the Song of the Year award for the month of November at the eighth Gaon Chart Music Awards, as well as the Digital Bonsang award at the 34th Golden Disc Awards.^[48] Overseas, “Solo” topped the Billboard’s World Digital Songs chart.^[49][50] At the time of release, the music video for “Solo” became the most viewed by a female Korean solo artist of all time within a 24 hour period on YouTube.^[51] Jennie also became the first and only female Korean solo artist to surpass 300 million views on the platform within six months of release.^[52] On November 25, Jennie received her first music show win as a solo artist on Inkigayo, and went on to receive a Triple Crown by winning three times.