JISOO Sets Free Her Bold, Delicate Persona in ‘FLOWER’

Blackpink’s Jisoo is the last member to release her solo debut, which dropped on March 31 with the tracks “FLOWER” and “All Eyes On Me.”

Each Blackpink member has their thing. Jennie is widely acknowledged as the queen of girl crush, launching her solo career way back in 2018 with “SOLO,” a K-pop staple for all those mingling with the fandom. Lisa is untouchable, with her hip-hop-inspired concepts trailing behind her after the release of her own solo hits, “LALISA” and “MONEY.” Rosé is flirty yet innocent from the outside but has established herself as one of the leading vocals for third-generation K-pop: “On The Ground” and “Gone” being uniquely heart-wrenching for a debut single album. Lastly, we have Jisoo, the nation’s sweetheart-turned-actress who has remained strangely quiet on the talk of solo debuts. Until now.  

To no surprise, YG Entertainment decided that it was about time for the final Blackpink member to release her own set of singles amid the group’s world tour and hiatus for a comeback.

Jisoo, who has been working diligently on her own projects, such as starring as a main lead in the popular K-drama, Snowdrop, alongside male actor Jung Hae-In, finally took it into her own hands to release music that characterizes the type of artist she has been for the past seven years.

ME, her debut EP, consists of two songs: “FLOWER” and “All Eyes On Me,” each of which has already racked up millions of streams. Despite her popularity, the quality of this debut has proven exactly why she has become such a beloved figure in K-pop, as her gentle vocals are woven seamlessly into the electronic, beat-drop chorus.

Some argue that the originality of K-pop has come to a steady decline. However, Blackpink attempts to continue to innovate their sound, especially with the ground-breaking impact they had in earlier years as a pioneer in the girl crush scene. But, no matter how simple “FLOWER” may appear, one cannot deny its addictive and cathartic presence.

THE SERIOUSNESS IN HER EYES OMG KIM JISOO IS NOT PLAYING pic.twitter.com/S463HdYP0y

— honors lisa (@honorslisa) April 5, 2023

Behind the simplicity of the title single, Jisoo’s music video incorporates symbolism within its cinematography. Throughout each lyric, her references to varying types of flowers manifest in a visual representation of outfit changes.

In the second verse, she remarks, “Cruely trampled, my one and only lilac,” while dancing gracefully in a newfound lilac slip-on dress. Following this, the music video switches between a graceful, angel-like side to her more confident and bold representation as she sings, “I fly away like a white petal. It’s all on you that you didn’t hold on,” while switching between a white and red outfit.

Each new side of Jisoo corresponds to the lyrics at hand—all addressing one’s growing resentment and independence from a past low following a heartwrenching breakup. YG Entertainment’s decision to present her “girl-next-door” identity in a more mature light reveals how she has finally been set free from the shackles of role-playing in a typical K-pop group setting. This solo debut allows Jisoo to shine on her own, and she does so with poise and perfection. 

Every aspect of “FLOWER,” from the styling to the cinematography, stays true to who Jisoo is. She flaunts delicate and flowy formal wear while executing a simple yet compelling dance routine. The music video’s cool-toned color grading adds to its charming vibe and suits her classy concept. With each solo release, the Blackpink girls continually preach independence from suffocating relationships, which positively influences young teenagers and adults who look up to them. What this track perhaps symbolizes as a whole for those who have watched the Blackpink girls develop into their respective parts is that despite Jisoo representing a more feminine character, she has also always been fierce and confident. 

“All Eyes On Me,” Jisoo’s other release, follows a similar structure to “FLOWER” but is brighter overall. While both of her tracks fall heavily into the electronic and EDM genre, the style suits her strong and assertive vocals better than any ballad. Although this second song is less commonly discussed, it contains similar qualities as “Hard To Love,” one of Blackpink’s popular b-sides released in their BORN PINK comeback.

“all eyes on ME” jisoo is absolutely right! pic.twitter.com/4n7aTMEZrq

— ☕️ (@jichusworld) March 27, 2023

BLINKs respect Jisoo’s dedication to formulating a debut that suits who she is as a singer and hopes that she releases similar-sounding music in the future. None of the Blackpink members have had a second release after their solo debuts thus far; many people are still waiting on Jennie to come out with new music since her first launch in 2018. However, Blackpink’s popularity will not fade anytime soon as they work diligently on independent projects. 

Some listeners have coined “FLOWER” as just another throw-away single but fail to comprehend its complexity and metaphorical symbolism for Jisoo’s career. From this point forward, we may see many new changes to how she presents herself in the music world, and fans are all for it. If you enjoyed her debut, don’t forget to watch her music video below.