“ZEN” defies conventional pop structures. Its sharp, weighty beats form a looping rhythm that disturbs the listener’s sense of flow, mirroring the song’s philosophical depth. The lyrics, delivered in Jennie’s signature husky tones and piercing vocals, are poetic yet commanding.

Song Credits

  • Artist: Jennie
  • Album: Ruby
  • Released: March 7, 2025
  • Length: 3:21
  • Label: OA Entertainment, Columbia Records
  • Writer: JENNIE, Jelli Dorman, Bibi Bourelly, Kirsten Spencer, Pluss
  • Producer: Pluss

JENNIE “ZEN” Official MV

JENNIE “ZEN” Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I tell 'em, "Down, now"
On the energy, yes
I ain't what you think about me
Cross me, please
I'ma keep it Z, Zen
Presence, bless
Money can't buy sixth sense

[Pre-Chorus]
Bad bitch, 'kay, so make me badder
Fire aura, quiets chatter
Shoot, shoot, shoot, I make them scatter
They can't move my matter

[Chorus]
Nobody gon' move my soul, gon' move my aura, my matter
Nobody gon' move my light, gon' touch my glow, my matter
Nobody gon', all this power make them scatter
No, nobody gon' touch my soul, gon' match my glow, like, I dare you (Hey)

[Post-Chorus]
(Ah, ah) Shakе me
(Ah, ah) Hey

[Verse 2]
Thick skin layer likе chains on chains on chains
Wear the pressure on my neck and rings
Rain, midnight bloom
In the dark, I grew
See upcoming pop shows
Get tickets for your favorite artists


[Bridge]
Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot (Freeze)
Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot (Gleam)
Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot (One hundred, one hundred)
Ten
Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot (One hundred)
Money cannot buy no real friends

[Pre-Chorus]
Baddest, they can't make me badder
Fire aura, quiets chatter
Shoot, shoot, shoot, I make them scatter
They can't move my matter

[Chorus]
Nobody gon' move my soul, gon' move my aura, my matter
Nobody gon' move my light, gon' touch my glow, my matter
Nobody gon', all this power make them scatter
No, nobody gon' touch my soul, gon' match my glow, like, I dare you (Hey)

[Post-Chorus]
(Ah, ah) Shake me
(Ah, ah) Hey
(Ah, ah)
(Ah, ah) Can't be two of one

JENNIE “ZEN” Meaning

Jennie exudes unshakable confidence in “ZEN,” a song that asserts self-definition beyond others’ perceptions. With a clear sense of identity, she remains unaffected by judgment, reinforcing her resilience through both lyrics and visuals.

Directed by Cho Gi-seok, the music video blends ancient and modern aesthetics, featuring a Silla-era golden crown, a giant lotus flower, an owl-inspired dance formation, and a massive human wing. Jennie moves seamlessly through these dreamlike scenes, calling for rain that falls and striding through a world where raindrops hover midair. These striking visuals enhance her mythical presence, making her appear timeless.

Adding depth, Monk Munkwang of BTN Buddhist TV analyzed “ZEN” through a Buddhist lens, sparking discussions among K-pop fans. He noted symbolic elements like the owl, representing wisdom, and Jennie’s Silla-inspired outfit, reminiscent of Wonhwa, a figure linked to enlightenment. He interpreted lyrics like “Bow your head, kneel down” as echoes of “banghajakh” (放下着), meaning “let go,” and saw the dark figures surrounding Jennie as disciples seeking wisdom or inner struggles to overcome. He likened her unwavering presence to “samadhi,” a meditative state of unshakable inner peace.

A particularly striking interpretation came from the line “One cannot become two,” which Monk Munkwang related to Buddha-nature, transcending individuality to become part of a greater whole. The final scene, where an owl cries out and soars away, symbolizes wisdom illuminating the darkness and uniting the world.

Ultimately, “ZEN” is an artistic statement that resonates across cultures and interpretations.