Frender’s VFX Innovations in Jennie & Doechii’s "ExtraL"

On February 21, 2025, BLACKPINK’s Jennie and rap powerhouse Doechii unveiled their groundbreaking music video for "ExtraL." Produced by Dem Jointz, the track seamlessly fuses high-energy hip-hop with contemporary pop elements, reinforcing its status as an anthem of empowerment and self-confidence.

Helmed by visionary director Cole Bennett of Lyrical Lemonade, the video pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling with surreal set designs, intricate choreography, and avant-garde cinematography. Among the standout moments is the transformation of Jennie and Doechii into miniature figures delivering their verses atop a bald man’s head—an ambitious concept made possible through advanced VFX techniques.

The FRENDER team spearheaded the execution of key visual effects, ensuring that each shot seamlessly blended practical and digital elements. This is not our first collaboration with Cole Bennett. Previously, we worked together on Eminem’s "Tobey" featuring Big Sean & BabyTron, where we brought his creative vision to life through advanced VFX techniques. This ongoing partnership allows us to explore innovative visual storytelling approaches and push technical boundaries.

Advanced VFX Techniques in "ExtraL":

Photorealistic 3D Head Creation – Utilizing high-resolution 3D sculpting and texture mapping, we developed a hyper-detailed digital head that seamlessly integrated into live-action footage.

Surreal Sand Room Effect – Jennie appears suspended in a shifting sand-filled space, achieved through procedural 3D simulations and volumetric rendering to create a dynamic, otherworldly atmosphere.

Particle-Based Sand Simulation – By leveraging advanced physics-based particle simulations, we created a realistic interplay between the performers and the digital sand environment.

Seamless Motion Transitions – High-precision motion tracking, combined with AI-assisted interpolation, enabled ultra-fluid transitions that maintain visual coherence across fast-paced sequences.

Set Extension & Digital Environment Creation – Expanding the practical set using a combination of digital matte painting, projection mapping, and CGI allowed us to amplify the grandeur of each scene.

Final Compositing & Post-Production Polish – Our meticulous post-production workflow involved lighting corrections, dynamic reflections, and high-fidelity rendering to ensure a polished, immersive final product

The boundaries of VFX in music videos continue to be pushed with the integration of artificial intelligence, real-time rendering, and neural networks. Cutting-edge AI-assisted tools now optimize rendering efficiency, enabling faster and more complex simulations. From hyperrealistic CGI characters to advanced liquid and particle effects, emerging technologies are reshaping the industry’s creative potential.

With "ExtraL," we demonstrated how high-end VFX can elevate a director’s artistic vision, crafting a visually stunning experience that resonates with audiences. At FRENDER, we remain dedicated to pioneering new frontiers in digital effects, setting new industry standards for music video production. As we look to the future, we are exploring further integrations of volumetric capture, virtual production, and AI-assisted creativity to push music video VFX into uncharted territories.