Jennie Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea on January 16, 1996, as an only child.

[2][3][4] When she was

eight years old, she went on a trip with her family to Australia and New Zealand. While in New Zealand,
her mother asked her if she liked the place and if she wanted to stay, Kim replied "yes". A year later, she
was sent to study at Waikowhai Intermediate School in Auckland, New Zealand and lived with a home-
stay family.[5] Kim spoke about her experiences on learning a new language on MBC's special
documentary English, Must Change to Survive (2006).[6] During her adolescent years, she dreamed of
becoming a ballet dancer.[7] After completing Intermediate, she enrolled into ACG Parnell College.[5]

Kim heard of K-pop while residing in New Zealand, particularly finding an interest in YG Entertainment's
music.[8] Her mother planned to transfer her to the United States in Florida at the age of 14 to continue
her studies leading to an occupation of a lawyer or teacher, however, the idea wasn't to her liking as she
may not find work she liked while residing alone; her family supported her decision and soon had her
moved back to South Korea in 2010.[8][9] Kim auditioned to join YG Entertainment that same year and
performed Rihanna's "Take a Bow", later succeeding in joining the label as a trainee.[10] Through High
Cut Korea, she once revealed how she was afraid of strangers and terrible at taking initiative and so
could barely greet during her audition.[11] Initially auditioning as a vocalist, the company believed she
should embrace the role of a rapper as at the time she was the only trainee capable of speaking English,
while most songs she covered included raps.[12][13] She attended Cheongdam Middle School for her
studies.[14]