Jennie made her long-awaited return to the Korean award stage at the 2025 Mnet Music Awards (MMA) on December 20, delivering a solo performance that blended contemporary pop flair with deeply rooted Korean cultural elements.
Her stage, divided into three acts—“Seoul City,” “ZEN,” and “like JENNIE”—took the audience on a journey from the bustle of city life to inner peace and finally, to self-realization.
The opening act, “Seoul City,” featured an enormous blue veil adorned with text from Cheonggu Yeongeon, Korea’s first known anthology of song lyrics. Jennie and her dancers wore outfits inspired by traditional jeogori silhouettes, combining strength and elegance while nodding to historical motifs like the Half-Seated Bodhisattva.
In “ZEN,” the performance emphasized balance and concentration, offering a moment of calm amid the energetic stage. The finale, “like JENNIE,” showcased a striking fusion of traditional Korean clothing elements and Western fashion structures, culminating in a visual representation of her artistic identity.
Her Record of the Year acceptance outfit drew inspiration from the Bulguksa Seokgatap Pagoda, combining hand-draped cutout details with a refined silhouette, while the dancers’ modernized traditional costumes created a protective presence around her.
OA Entertainment praised the performance as “a stage infused with Korean elements” and a testament to Jennie’s pride in her heritage.
The night was a triumphant one for Jennie, who took home three awards including the prestigious Record of the Year.
