BLACKPINK member Jennie has once again found herself at the center of a heated online debate, this time over her live vocals during her headline performance at Summer Sonic Festival 2026 in Tokyo.
Jennie took the stage on August 14 (KST) for an hour-long set at the major Japanese music festival. While the performance was praised by fans for showcasing her live voice prominently over the backing track, other viewers were far less impressed, with criticism focusing on the use of live Auto-Tune and her vocal technique.
Among the songs featured in Jennie’s Summer Sonic set was “One of the Girls,” the soundtrack from her acting debut project, The Idol. The song presented a particularly noticeable test of Jennie’s live vocals because of its vocal-heavy arrangement. Clips of the performance quickly circulated online, prompting viewers to scrutinize her delivery and vocal processing.
Fans who enjoyed the performance highlighted the fact that Jennie’s voice could be clearly heard throughout the song rather than being completely masked by the backing track. Some praised her for delivering the song live and argued that the performance demonstrated her vocal abilities.
However, the response was far from unanimous. While some fans defended Jennie’s performance, others voiced harsh criticism over what they perceived as heavy use of live Auto-Tune. Critics questioned the extent of the vocal processing used during the performance and argued that it affected the natural quality of Jennie’s voice. Others also took issue with what they considered weaknesses in her vocal technique.
As clips from the festival continued circulating on social media, the discussion quickly became divided between viewers praising Jennie for singing live and those questioning the technical execution of the performance. The debate also reflects the intense scrutiny Jennie has faced over her live performances throughout her career, with even individual festival clips often becoming the subject of extensive online discussion.
The controversy comes as Jennie continues to establish herself beyond her activities with BLACKPINK. Her solo career has brought increased attention to her performances, music releases, fashion appearances, and acting work, placing her under an especially close spotlight.
With Summer Sonic 2026 giving Jennie a major festival stage in Tokyo, expectations were naturally high. Her hour-long headline set offered fans an opportunity to see her perform a broad selection of her music in front of a large festival audience.
Ultimately, reactions to Jennie’s live vocals remain sharply divided. While supporters praised the audible live singing and defended her performance, critics continued to question the vocal processing and technique used during the set.
As clips continue to circulate online, Jennie’s Summer Sonic performance is likely to remain another talking point in the ongoing conversation surrounding her live vocals.
Sources: Koreaboo