JENNIE Turns a Summer Situationship Into Cinema in Less than a Lover 

Veering away from her usual confidence-driven hits, BLACKPINK’s JENNIE embraces vulnerability in her latest single, Less than a Lover. The track, which she unveiled with a dreamy, self-directed music video, is her ode to a summer romance, telling the story of two people whose relationship sits in the gray area between friendship and commitment.

With its soft, lo-fi aesthetic and heartfelt storytelling, Less than a Lover paints a raw, intimate portrait of undefined connections, better known in today’s dating scene as “situationships.”

JENNIE’s Less than a Lover Story

The music video opens as if it were the first page of a screenplay. Filmed from behind, JENNIE delivers a reflective monologue, with her eyes locked on a man in the distance. 

“So, I want a film about a girl,” the South Korean soloist begins. “She wants to avoid love, wants to avoid responsibilities. She’s very confused, but also knows what she wants — just to enjoy summer.”

Set against stunning, sun-soaked locations in Girona, Spain, the story unfolds like a nostalgic film, with JENNIE and Nah Kai spending a picturesque summer together. The pair share intimate moments—drinking coffee, wandering through historic streets, and sailing across open waters—exploring the bittersweet feeling of being with someone who can never truly be yours. But while they are visibly drawn to each other, there’s a subtle emotional restraint that lingers in every frame. The quiet tension is heightened by the warm lighting, quiet, empty streets, and muted, grainy cinematography.

Closing the same way it began, JENNIE narrates the final beach scene between her and Kai that “almost feels like a date, and you can’t control your emotions.” The two lean in as if to kiss, but the singer-songwriter pulls away. The music video then cuts to a close-up of JENNIE alone, choosing to remain just less than a lover, before a “To Be Continued” card appears and the credits roll.

Who is Nah Kai, JENNIE’s On-Screen Lover?

For many fans, one question lingered after the release of Less than a Lover: Who is JENNIE’s leading man?

Kai, whose signature curly hair, effortless style, and natural charisma have turned heads in the fashion scene, is a 24-year-old Taiwanese model based in South Korea. 

He has already modeled for major brands and appeared in SEVENTEEN DK and Seungkwan’s Blue music video before starring opposite JENNIE.

Kai’s lead role—and his unmistakable chemistry with JENNIE—in Less than a Lover has since become a breakout moment, drawing thousands of new followers to his Instagram and turning him into one of the most talked-about rising models.

If you’re wondering whether we’ll see more of him with the BLACKPINK star, telltale signs suggest their story may continue, but only time will tell. 

While Less than a Lover is about settling for less in love, JENNIE undeniably does the exact opposite here as an artist. Through cinematic storytelling, nuanced acting, and deeply personal music, she proves she is far more than she was ever expected to be.