BLACKPINK’s Jennie has made the decision to decline an appearance on Director Kim Tae Ho’s new variety show, My Name Is Gabriel. According to industry insiders, on March 19th, Jennie was approached to star in My Name Is Gabriel but ultimately chose not to participate. Her one-person label, Odd Atelier, informed Ilgan Sports, “She won’t be appearing on any variety works for the time being, including ‘My Name Is Gabriel.'”
My Name Is Gabriel is Kim Tae Ho’s latest endeavor, following the success of Infinite Challenge and Hangout with Yoo. The show is set to document cast members experiencing life abroad. Park Bo Gum, Ji Chang Wook, Park Myung Soo, and Hong Kyung have confirmed their participation. Given Kim Tae Ho’s reputation for hit shows, Jennie’s potential involvement had garnered significant interest, though the production team had previously stated, “Nothing has been confirmed.”
Jennie’s decision to take a step back from variety show appearances is partly attributed to the underperformance of tvN’s Apartment 404. Despite high expectations, Apartment 404 struggled with ratings, hovering around 1% nationwide (based on Nielsen Korea). The show launched on February 23rd with a 2.7% rating but has seen a decline in viewership over its four episodes.
Critics have noted the absence of Jennie’s influence in Apartment 404, casting doubts on the possibility of a dramatic turnaround in ratings as the show approaches its midpoint. The backlash from the show is said to have significantly impacted Jennie, leading her to opt out of the show’s wrap-up party due to overseas commitments and remain hesitant about her involvement in a potential second season.
Additionally, Jennie’s focus on preparing for her first solo album since establishing her own label is another reason for her retreat from variety show appearances. Announcing the formation of Odd Atelier, Jennie described it as “a new challenge,” but the ensuing three months have shown some instability, prompting both anticipation and concern for her debut solo album.
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