K-Pop stars Jennie and Lisa from BLACKPINK were named the top artists at Coachella 2025, according to an influencer database, showcasing their massive global impact. Their solo performances at the iconic music festival, held from April 11 to 13 and April 18 to 20 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, drew huge crowds and sparked widespread buzz on social media.
Jennie’s Show-Stopping Set
Jennie performed on the Outdoor Theatre stage on April 13 and 20, delivering a 50-minute set of 13 tracks, mostly from her debut solo album, Ruby, released in March 2025. Her performance was a mix of high-energy rap and emotional ballads, showing her range as a solo artist. The highlight was her hit single Like Jennie, which got the crowd chanting along to her bold lyrics.
A special moment came when Kali Uchis joined Jennie on stage for their duet Damn Right. The two artists shared a sultry performance, trading lines and playful dance moves.
“I love you so much, Kali, thank you!” Jennie shouted after their performance, giving Uchis a big hug.
Jennie’s set was praised for going beyond typical K-Pop, with genre twists and regal ballads that highlighted her growth as an artist. Her album Ruby was noted for its candid style, moving away from strict K-Pop norms. However, some fans on social media expressed disappointment, saying she seemed out of breath and lacked stamina during parts of the show.
“Jennie is gorgeous and can dance, but it’s astounding how she has such little vocal and physical stamina at this point in her career.” A Reddit user commented.
“Jennie’s Coachella performance was so disappointing calling it mediocre is an understatement. she was not prepared at all, she should work on her stamina if she plans on performing there again.” Another user added.
Despite the criticism, Jennie topped the Coachella 2025 Earned Media Value (EMV) chart, generating $13 million in media value, according to data analysis platform Lefty on April 24, 2025. Her performance sparked huge online chatter, with fans flooding platforms like YouTube and X with the term Jenchella, a mix of her name and Coachella.
Lisa’s Explosive Solo Debut
Lisa took the Sahara Stage on April 11 and 18, performing tracks from her debut solo album, Alter Ego, released in February 2025. The album, which landed in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 and produced three Billboard Hot 100 hits, mixed hip-hop, electropop, and trap. Her set was her biggest since the album’s release, featuring bold visuals and intense choreography.
Lisa opened with Thunder, emerging on a towering pillar in a metallic bodysuit. She delivered fast-paced raps and powerful vocals, especially in FXCK Up the World, showcasing her confidence as a solo star. Her performance of Money, a fan-favorite from 2021, had the crowd buzzing as she danced under red lights.
Some reviews noted that Alter Ego relied heavily on guest artists like Doja Cat, Raye, and Megan Thee Stallion, which sparked debate about her solo spotlight. Social media also saw criticism of her set, with some fans calling it underwhelming compared to her BLACKPINK performances.
“As a long time Blackpink and Kpop fan who has followed all their Coachella performances and solo work, WTF WAS THAT??? It’s been well known that she struggles with stamina, but my god she looked half dead the entire performance.” A Reddit user wrote.
Still, Lisa ranked second on the EMV chart with $9.5 million, just behind Jennie. Her performance of Thunder/FXCK Up the World was the most-watched Coachella 2025 set, clocking 2.94 billion seconds of view time by April 28, 2025, according to a post on X.
K-Pop’s Growing Presence at Coachella
Jennie and Lisa weren’t the only K-Pop acts at Coachella 2025. ENHYPEN, a seven-member boy group, made their festival debut on April 12 and 19, performing hits like XO and Bite Me. They ranked third on the EMV chart with $9.3 million. XG, a South Korea-based Japanese girl group, also debuted on April 13 and 20, adding to the K-Pop wave.
BLACKPINK has a storied history at Coachella. In 2019, they became the first K-Pop girl group to perform at the festival, and in 2023, they made history as the first K-Pop headliner. Their 2023 set drew 250 million online viewers and dominated social media with 78.1% of festival-related posts. This year, Jennie and Lisa’s solo acts marked a new milestone, proving their star power outside the group.
Social Media and Fan Reactions
Fans, known as Blinks, showed massive support for both artists, though reactions were mixed. Many praised Jennie and Lisa for their bold performances and influence, with comments like:
“You can’t fake the influence.” A fan wrote on X, celebrating Jennie’s top EMV ranking.
“enhypen, you will always be a successful group.” Another fan cheered for ENHYPEN’s debut.
However, some Blinks felt the solo sets didn’t match BLACKPINK’s energy, pointing to stamina issues and uneven vocals. Despite the critiques, the huge EMV numbers and viewership data show Jennie and Lisa’s undeniable impact.
Their Journey to Solo Stardom
Jennie, born Jennie Kim on January 16, 1996, debuted with BLACKPINK in 2016 and released her first solo single, Solo, in 2018. It topped South Korea’s Circle Digital Chart and hit 1 billion YouTube views, a first for a Korean female soloist. Her 2023 singles You & Me and One of the Girls also saw global success. She made her acting debut in The Idol in 2023 under the name Jennie Ruby Jane.
Lisa, born Lalisa Manobal on March 27, 1997, in Thailand, released her solo singles Lalisa and Money in 2021. Her 2025 album Alter Ego marked her move to RCA Records after leaving YG Entertainment. She also debuted as an actress in The White Lotus in 2025.
Both artists continue to record with BLACKPINK under Interscope Records, alongside members Rosé and Jisoo. BLACKPINK is known for hits like Boombayah, Kill This Love, and How You Like That, with over 54.6 million Instagram followers and 22 million monthly Spotify listeners.
Also Read: Coachella 2025 Week 2: BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Jennie, and ENHYPEN Set to Ignite the Stage with Solo and Group Performances
As of April 28, 2025, Jennie and Lisa are preparing for BLACKPINK’s upcoming U.S. stadium tour, set to kick off later this year. Jennie recently donated ₩100 million to wildfire relief in South Korea and supported fire recovery in Los Angeles through her Ruby Experience shows. Lisa is focusing on promoting Alter Ego, with plans for more solo projects in 2025.
