Jennie of BLACKPINK has revealed the reason behind her apology regarding the indoor smoking controversy.
On September 19th, the BLACKPINK star received a question about the indoor smoking controversy during an interview with Harper’s Bazaar US.
Harper’s Bazaar US stated, “The idols, in turn, act as cultural ambassadors of the Korean lifestyle and demeanor; their positive representation of the country is as crucial as the fandom or music itself. Personal goings-on are secretive and private, as intensely guarded as the crown jewels. Romantic relationships and smoking are not allowed—partially because they’re a distraction, partially because they might impede a fan’s ability to relate,” mentioning the smoking incident as an example.
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Regarding the recent incident, Jennie stated, “What can I do? If Korean people think it’s wrong, I’ve got to make up for it.” She added, “It’s like, I get why you guys are upset. It’s cultural, it’s history. It’s time. And I can’t go against time,” acknowledging the unique cultural expectations placed on celebrities, especially idols, in South Korea.
Last July, a short video went viral online showing Jennie smoking indoors. In the clip, she was surrounded by her team getting ready for a JACQUEMUS fashion show in Italy. The video was part of a vlog she posted on YouTube, but she later removed it due to the controversy.
Jennie’s agency, The Black Label, subsequently issued a formal apology for the incident. They expressed their deep regret for any inconvenience caused by Jennie’s actions in the video. Jennie herself also offered a sincere apology for smoking indoors and for the discomfort it caused to the staff members involved. She personally contacted the staff to convey her apologies. The label also apologized to fans who were upset and promised to do better in the future.
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