BLACKPINK’s Jennie released “Someone to Hold” on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 — her first song for an animated film, and the emotional centerpiece of Netflix’s upcoming Cinderella spin-off Steps. The track is already nominated at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, where it sits alongside a Taylor Swift Toy Story 5 song, before the movie even lands on Nov. 20. Here’s what to know about the song, the film and why this release matters.
When Did “Someone to Hold” Come Out?
According to Korea JoongAng Daily and The Herald Business, “Someone to Hold” dropped on Friday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m. Korea time across major streaming platforms. Yonhap News Agency confirmed the same day release through Jennie’s agency, OA Entertainment, calling it her first soundtrack contribution for an animated film.
Billboard reports the song is streaming now and will also appear on the official Steps soundtrack album, which arrives the same day as the film: Nov. 20, 2026. Billboard’s New Music Friday guide put it alongside other Nov. 6 releases, including Dove Cameron’s debut album Final Girl.
What Does the Song Sound Like?
OA Entertainment describes “Someone to Hold” as inspired by vintage and organic dance-pop, a powerful number that captures the bond between the film’s sisters, Korea JoongAng Daily reported. Billboard calls it a melodic neo-disco cut with strings, slapping bass and layered vocals. Songwriter-producer Justin Tranter has said the track is “pure danceable joy inspired by vintage organic dance pop,” per Billboard.
Netflix’s Tudum site frames it as the film’s emotional crescendo — the moment the sisterhood lands. A sample lyric Billboard quoted: “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.”
Who wrote and produced it?
The 2026 Hollywood Music in Media Awards nominations list the writers as Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels and Jason Gill, with Jennie as the performer. Billboard credits Tranter with writing and producing the song; The Herald Business notes he also wrote and produced three more original songs for the soundtrack.
What Is Netflix’s Steps About?
Per Netflix Tudum, Steps is an animated action comedy from Netflix Animation Studios that retells Cinderella from the point of view of her “evil” stepsisters. Tired of living in Cinderella’s shadow, Lilith steals the Fairy Godmother’s wand and hijacks the royal ball with her sister Margot — which hands the kingdom to a villainous schemer named Priscilla. Lilith then has to team up with Cinderella to fight biker trolls, outrun henchmen and save both the kingdom and their relationship.
Directors Alyce Tzue and John Ripa (Ripa co-directed Raya and the Last Dragon) say Jennie’s song “represents Lilith, Cinderella, and Margot’s sisterhood,” according to Billboard. Producers include Amy Poehler, Jane Hartwell and Kim Lessing.
Voice cast
- Ali Wong as Lilith
- Stephanie Hsu as Margot
- Amanda Seyfried as Cinderella
- Nikki Glaser as Priscilla
- Daniel Radcliffe as the Prince
- Young Mazino as Gef
- Peter Dinklage as Roderick
- Bette Midler as the Fairy Godmother
- Damian Priest as Cracktor
The film lands globally on Netflix on Nov. 20, 2026, Yonhap and Tudum both confirm.
The Full Steps Soundtrack
Jennie headlines the soundtrack, but she isn’t alone. Netflix Tudum lists four original songs:
- “Someone to Hold” — Jennie (climactic sisterhood number)
- “Smile and a Song” — co-written by Rose Gray; sung by Amanda Seyfried’s Cinderella
- “Meet Me on the Dance Floor” — Rose Gray (palace ball)
- “Understudy” — EMEI
Oscar-winning composer Kris Bowers (Bridgerton, The Wild Robot) scored the film at Abbey Road Studios, Tudum reports. The companion soundtrack album arrives with the movie on Nov. 20.
Already Nominated: Hollywood Music in Media Awards
“Someone to Hold” is nominated for Song – Animated Film at the 2026 Hollywood Music in Media Awards before the film has even premiered — a rare early nod. Winners will be announced Nov. 18 at Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles, according to The Herald Business and the HMMA nominations list.
Jennie’s competition in the category includes:
- “I Knew It, I Knew You” from Toy Story 5 — written and performed by Taylor Swift (with Jack Antonoff)
- “Bottle Up” from PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie — performed by the Backstreet Boys; co-written by Ed Sheeran and others
- “BRB” from Forgotten Island — H.E.R. and Liza Soberano
- “The Better Part of Bravery” from Wildwood — The Decemberists
HMMA nods are often watched as an early signal for Oscar song campaigns, which is why landing on that shortlist with Swift and Sheeran-backed tracks is a big deal for a first-time animated OST.
Why This Release Matters for Jennie
Jennie is coming off one of her biggest crossover moments as a solo artist. Her remix of Tame Impala’s “Dracula” spent 23 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, Korea JoongAng Daily notes, and Billboard says the remix peaked at No. 5 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 on the U.K. Official Singles Chart. We covered that chart run in detail in our piece on why “Dracula” by Tame Impala and Jennie won’t leave the Hot 100.
She debuted with BLACKPINK under YG Entertainment in 2016, released her first solo single “Solo” in 2018, her first full-length solo album Ruby in 2025, and the EP Fallen Angel on Aug. 27, 2026, per Korea JoongAng Daily. An animated Netflix OST — especially one already awards-nominated — extends that solo run into Hollywood film music, which is a different lane from K-pop charts and stadium tours. For more on how K-pop artists keep crossing into global entertainment, see our guide to the rise of K-pop as a global phenomenon.
On the streaming side, Steps joins a busy Netflix November that already includes returning spy thriller Black Doves Season 2, so family animation and adult dramas are competing for the same homepage real estate through Thanksgiving.
“I am so excited to join the Steps family, and it was really fun making my first song for an animated film,” Jennie said in a statement carried by Netflix Tudum. “I love how much heart and personality the characters have, and I’m so happy I got to be a little part of their world. I hope you enjoy Steps and ‘Someone to Hold’ as much as I do.”
FAQ
When was Jennie’s “Someone to Hold” released?
Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at 2 p.m. Korea time on major streaming platforms. It will also appear on the Steps soundtrack album on Nov. 20.
When does Netflix’s Steps come out?
Nov. 20, 2026, worldwide on Netflix.
Is “Someone to Hold” nominated for any awards?
Yes. It is nominated for Song – Animated Film at the 2026 Hollywood Music in Media Awards. The ceremony is Nov. 18 at Avalon Hollywood.
Who wrote the song?
Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels and Jason Gill, according to the HMMA nominations. Billboard credits Tranter as writer-producer.
Is this Jennie’s first animated film song?
Yes. OA Entertainment and Yonhap both say it is her first contribution to an animated film soundtrack.
Update if HMMA winners are announced Nov. 18, or if Netflix shares new Steps trailers or soundtrack details before Nov. 20.
Featured image: Jennie of BLACKPINK in 2017, photo by D4cgrapher, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped).
