On March 23, BLACKPINK’s Jennie took over the stage at AsiaWorld-Expo during ComplexCon Hong Kong. The K-pop idol’s 30-minute set list primarily featured tracks from her solo-album Ruby. The appearance also marked her first solo performance in China, while she became the first female artist to headline Complex Live.
Jennie opened with Mantra, accompanied by a group of dancers. This was followed by Love Hangover and With the IE (Way Up), presented with coordinated formations and structured choreography. She also performed Start a War solo under focused lighting. Her Seoul City performance referenced her MelOn Music Award show appearance, as she wore a white veil on her face designed with Korean lettering.
The set moved from ExtraL into a solo Handlebars rendition. The 30-year-old then performed Dracula, shifting to a darker concept with a black coat. After Damn Right, Jennie wrapped the night with like JENNIE, finishing the set. Shortly after the event, segments of her Handlebars stage began circulating online. Viewers began questioning her live vocals, with some accusing her of relying too heavily on backing tracks.
“Not a single note is landing good lord WHAT A MESS. I better not see blinks talking about others’ vocals again while stanning Jennie,” an X user commented.
Accusations of “lip-syncing” continue, with many questioning whether the BLACKPINK star is even singing.
Meanwhile, others defended the performance, saying her live vocals are “crazy” and that she has one of the “best vocal tones” in K-pop.
BLACKPINK’s Jennie set to headline Lollapalooza 2026
Jennie will lead the lineup at Lollapalooza 2026, taking place from July 30 to August 2 at Grant Park. The slot places her among the festival’s top acts, alongside Charli XCX, Lorde, and John Summit. Further headliners include Tate McRae, The Smashing Pumpkins, and The xx.
The lineup also brings in several K-pop names, including aespa, (G)i-dle, and CORTIS. In total, more than 170 performers are planned across distinct categories. Organizers expect attendance to cross 400,000 over four days, with concerts spread across eight stages.
In other news, the BLACKPINK rapper‘s ComplexCon merch was also launched. It featured limited Ruby-themed hoodies, tees, and collectibles, sold via exclusive drops and pop-ups. Most items were quickly sold out due to high demand.
Edited by Shreya Jha
