Jennie Kim was born on January 16, 1996, as an only child.^[2] She was initially reported to be born in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul,^[3] but she later revealed in episode three of Apartment 404 that she was actually born in Bundang in Seongnam.^[4] She initially attended Cheongdam Elementary School in Seoul before moving to New Zealand.^[5] When she was eight years old, she went on a trip with her family to Australia and New Zealand. When her mother asked her if she liked New Zealand and wanted to stay, Jennie replied “yes”.

One year later, she was sent to study at Waikowhai Intermediate School in Auckland and lived with a home-stay family.^[6] Jennie spoke about her experience learning a new language on the MBC‘s documentary English, Must Change to Survive (2006).^[7] During her adolescent years, she dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer.^[8] After completing intermediate, she enrolled at ACG Parnell College.^[6]

Jennie first heard of K-pop while in New Zealand, particularly finding an interest in YG Entertainment‘s music.^[9] Her mother planned to move her to Florida in the United States at the age of 14 to continue her studies to become a lawyer or teacher; however, she did not like the idea and was concerned about not finding work she liked while living alone. Her family supported her decision, and she moved back to South Korea in 2010, where she studied at Cheongdam Middle School.

^[10][9][11] Jennie auditioned for YG Entertainment that same year with Rihanna‘s “Take a Bow“, succeeding in joining the label as a trainee.^[12] Through High Cut Korea, she revealed because she was afraid of strangers and reluctant to take initiative, she could barely introduce herself during her audition.^[13] Initially a vocalist, the company believed she should embrace the role of a rapper as most songs she covered included raps and she was the only trainee fluent in English at the time, along with her native Korean; she also knows basic Japanese and has learned French.^[14][15][16]