Global pop icon and BLACKPINK powerhouse JENNIE has returned to the international spotlight with her vibrant new solo track, “Someone to Hold.” The neo-disco cut serves as a standout feature on the official soundtrack for Steps, an upcoming animated feature film produced by Netflix and Paper Kite Productions. Written and produced by prolific hitmaker Justin Tranter, “Someone to Hold” leans into vintage dance-pop aesthetics, pairing lush orchestration with JENNIE’s signature vocal delivery.
The single arrives at a pivotal moment in JENNIE’s burgeoning
solo career. Fresh off the massive commercial success of her collaboration on Tame Impala’s “Dracula” remix—which peaked inside the upper echelons of both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Official U.K. Singles Chart—the South Korean artist continues to cement her crossover appeal in Western pop culture. With Steps scheduled for release on November 20 alongside its companion soundtrack album, "Someone to Hold" represents a calculated convergence of high-concept animation, elite pop songwriting, and global superstardom.
Detailed Chronology of the Release
The rollout for "Someone to Hold" and its parent project, Steps, has been meticulously structured to maximize audience engagement across multiple entertainment sectors.
Early Production Phase: Songwriter and producer Justin Tranter boarded the Steps project to craft original music that would elevate the film’s contemporary, subverted fairy-tale narrative. Tranter ultimately wrote and produced four original compositions for the soundtrack, conceptualizing "Someone to Hold" as a piece of "pure danceable joy inspired by vintage organic dance pop."
Casting and Creative Alignment: Directors Alyce Tzue and John Ripa integrated JENNIE’s artistic persona into the fabric of the film. They envisioned the track as a sonic representation of the unbreakable bond between the movie’s central heroines: Cinderella, Lilith, and Margot.
The Single Debut: JENNIE officially rolled out "Someone to Hold" across digital streaming platforms, accompanied by a dynamic lyric and music video rollout. The track immediately drew critical acclaim for its breezy production, featuring slapping basslines, soaring string arrangements, and layered vocal harmonies.
Upcoming Soundtrack and Film Launch (November 20): Netflix and its partners have slated both the official film release of Steps and its companion soundtrack album for a simultaneous global drop on November 20. Fans have been given early access to pre-save the album, while the single continues to gain traction on streaming services worldwide.
Supporting Context & Metrics: JENNIE’s Ascent and the Steps Production
Chart Dominance and Solo Trajectory
JENNIE’s transition from a pillar of the world-conquering group BLACKPINK into a formidable independent solo artist has been marked by historic commercial milestones. Her recent feature work on the Tame Impala “Dracula” remix proved to be a watershed moment for her global recognition. The track surged to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and captured the No. 2 spot on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, propelled further by a major Halloween streaming boost.
"Someone to Hold" capitalizes on this momentum by pivoting away from dark, atmospheric alternative-pop and embracing a bright, uplifting neo-disco template. By working alongside Justin Tranter—an industry veteran known for crafting chart-topping anthems for artists like Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Lady Gaga—JENNIE further establishes her footprint in the North American pop landscape.
A Fresh Spin on a Classic Tale: Inside Steps
Directed by the creative duo Alyce Tzue and John Ripa, Steps radically reimagines the classic Cinderella formula through a comedic and empowering lens.
The Plot: The narrative shatters expectations when Cinderella’s traditional stepsister, Lilith (voiced by Ali Wong), steals the magical wand belonging to the Fairy Godmother (Bette Midler) and hijacks the Royal Ball alongside Margot (Stephanie Hsu).
The Conflict: Complicating matters further is Priscilla (voiced by Nikki Glaser), a villainous schemer who seizes the throne, abruptly ruining the kingdom’s happily-ever-after.
The Redemption: Realizing the catastrophic consequences of their actions, Lilith must form an unexpected alliance with Cinderella (Amanda Seyfried) to embark on an epic quest filled with high-stakes battles and profound lessons in female solidarity.
Production Powerhouses
The film boasts heavy-hitting creative leadership behind the scenes. Steps is proudly produced by Amy Poehler, Jane Hartwell, and Kim Lessing, with Poehler and Lessing steering the project through their acclaimed banner, Paper Kite Productions. This pedigree ensures that the film balances sharp, witty storytelling with emotional depth—qualities that the directors felt JENNIE’s track encapsulates perfectly.
Official Statements and Creative Insights
The convergence of high-profile animation and international pop stardom has yielded enthusiastic commentary from the creative teams involved.
Justin Tranter, reflecting on the sonic direction of the soundtrack, described "Someone to Hold" as an exercise in "pure danceable joy inspired by vintage organic dance pop." Tranter’s meticulous attention to organic instrumentation—highlighted by real strings and a prominent bassline—gives the track a timeless quality that stands apart from standard electronic film scoring.
Directors Alyce Tzue and John Ripa elaborated on why JENNIE’s vocal performance was chosen to anchor key thematic moments of the film:
"We love how Jennie’s bright and spirited ‘Someone To Hold’ represents Lilith, Cinderella, and Margot’s sisterhood, giving audiences a shot of energy and positivity straight to the heart."
Lyrically, the song underscores themes of enduring loyalty and devotion, with JENNIE singing:
"After, after everything that we’ve been through / The ins and outs, the upside downs and good times too / You’re still the shooting star that’s in my skies / You’re still the only one I want in every life."
These poignant lyrics bridge the gap between the romantic subversions of the film and the universal emotional resonance required of a mainstream pop hit.
Future Outlook
As the entertainment industry watches the November 20 rollout of Steps and its accompanying soundtrack, all signs point to a major multi-platform success. For Netflix, pairing an all-star voice cast—including Amanda Seyfried, Ali Wong, Bette Midler, Stephanie Hsu, and Nikki Glaser—with a chart-proven global music star like JENNIE guarantees broad demographic appeal.
For JENNIE herself, "Someone to Hold" acts as a crucial bridge between her era-defining work with BLACKPINK and her rapidly expanding solo discography. Having proven her ability to conquer competitive Western charts with "Dracula," JENNIE is now demonstrating her versatility across cinematic mediums. As fans eagerly await the full release of the Steps soundtrack, the track stands as a testament to the seamless fusion of modern K-pop sensibilities with Hollywood storytelling, setting a high benchmark for future film-music collaborations.
