Blackpink star Jennie has found herself at the center of a controversy after a video surfaced showing her vaping indoors. The footage, initially part of a live blog on YouTube, was quickly removed, but not before it spread across the internet, igniting a wave of backlash. The incident has drawn significant attention, with “indoor smoking” and “BLACKPINK Jennie” becoming trending topics on social media platforms in South Korea.
In the video, Jennie is seen exhaling vape smoke while surrounded by hair and makeup artists. Smoking indoors is illegal in South Korea, and the video has led to widespread criticism. The Yonhap news agency reported on the incident with the headline, “Controversy over Jennie’s indoor smoking… exhaling smoke in the face of her staff,” reflecting the general sentiment in Korean-language media.
One internet user claimed the incident likely took place in Capri, Italy, where Jennie had been filming. This user went as far as to request that the South Korean Embassy in Italy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs investigate the matter. The Korea Times reported that the user urged Seoul to request an investigation from Italian authorities and take strict action against Jennie.
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to AFP that they had received a petition related to the incident. Jennie’s agency, OA Entertainment, acknowledged the vaping and issued an apology on her behalf. The agency stated, “We sincerely apologize to everyone who felt uncomfortable with Jennie’s actions. Jennie has personally apologized to all the staff on-site who may have been affected.”
Jennie herself expressed deep regret for her actions. “I deeply regret my mistake of vaping indoors and causing inconvenience to the staff,” she said. “I apologize to my fans who have been disappointed through this incident. I hope to prevent this from reoccurring in the future.”
BLACKPINK is one of South Korea’s most successful K-pop girl groups, with their songs topping charts both locally and internationally. They have achieved significant milestones, including being the first K-pop girl group to reach the top of the US Billboard 200 chart and the first Asian artists to headline prestigious music events like Coachella.
However, the incident has raised questions about Jennie’s judgment. One commentator on the South Korean portal Naver remarked, “Posting such a video on her own SNS channel raises serious questions about her common sense… It is deeply disappointing.”
Smoking rates in South Korea are relatively high, but only five percent of South Korean women smoked as of 2022, compared to 30 percent of men. South Korean pop stars undergo rigorous training for years before their debut and are held to high behavioral standards. Smoking, dating, and swearing are largely forbidden, especially in the early years of their careers.
Jennie has previously spoken about the strict expectations placed on K-pop stars. In a Netflix documentary, she recalled, “We were not allowed to drink, smoke, or get a tattoo.” She described the training period as “really harsh” and mentioned that she had to endure being told she wasn’t good at certain things.
The backlash against Jennie comes less than a year after she launched her label, Odd Atelier. In December, she announced on her Instagram Story, “This year was filled with many accomplishments, and I’m so thankful for all the love I’ve received. I’m also excited about what’s to come, as I start my solo journey in 2024 with a company that I have established called OA. Please show lots of love for my new start with OA and of course BLACKPINK.”
On the label’s Instagram page, she wrote, “OA, which stands for ODD ATELIER, is a space that aims to create new things that attract attention in a different way from what is usual or expected. It is a label founded by artist JENNIE in November 2023.”
The other members of BLACKPINK have also launched their own firms for their solo careers. Jisoo and Lisa officially started Blissoo and LLOUD, respectively, while Rosé agreed to a new management deal with The Black Label. Despite these individual ventures, the group remains together under YG Entertainment.
The controversy surrounding Jennie highlights the strict code of conduct that K-pop idols are expected to follow. Fans hold them to an unrealistic standard of perfection, often causing backlash if that image is broken. Several artists and former trainees have spoken out about the industry’s control over their image.
Former K-pop trainee Grazy Grace mentioned in a YouTube video that it is normal for agencies to pressure female idols to maintain a certain weight or restrict their diets to keep slim appearances. Only senior idols are allowed to have personal Instagram accounts, and even then, they are not allowed to respond to private messages or follow random accounts.
Dating announcements can only be confirmed or denied through the idols’ respective companies first through statements. Idols who break these codes of conduct often face significant backlash from fans. For instance, Karina of the K-pop girl group Aespa faced criticism after her relationship with actor Lee Jae-Wook was confirmed.
Despite the tight restrictions, some idols thrive on controversy or a “bad girl” or “bad boy” image. G-Dragon of BIGBANG, for example, is known for his rebellious persona. Rapper Jessi is another example of an artist who has always been unapologetically herself, even in the face of backlash.
Jennie’s recent controversy serves as a reminder of the high standards and scrutiny that K-pop idols face. While the incident has disappointed many fans, it also highlights the pressures and challenges that come with being a global superstar in the K-pop industry.
Source: AFP, Yonhap News Agency, Korea Times, OA Entertainment, Netflix
