'Always playing the victim': BLACKPINK's Jennie criticized for explanation behind smoking apology
Jennie reflected on the July incident in Italy, where she was seen vaping while getting her hair and makeup done in a vlog shared on her YouTube channel.
Updated : September 20, 2024 12:33 PM ISTJennie reflected on the July incident in Italy, where she was seen vaping while getting her hair and makeup done in a vlog shared on her YouTube channel.
BLACKPINK's Jennie - Harper’s Bazaar
After facing significant backlash for vaping indoors—illegal in many countries, including South Korea—and blowing smoke towards her stylist's face, BLACKPINK's Jennie issued a public apology for her actions. Recently, she addressed the incident and explained her reasons for apologizing.
In a cover story interview with Harper's BAZAAR on Wednesday (September 18), Jennie reflected on the July incident in Italy, where she was seen vaping while getting her hair and makeup done in a vlog shared on her YouTube channel. The video, titled "A Moment in Capri with Jennie," was later edited to remove the scene of her vaping and blowing smoke on her stylist.
Recalling the incident and the apology, Jennie said, "What can I do? If Korean people think it's wrong, I've got to make up for it". Jennie also said she understood from her fans' point of view why she needed to say something. "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," she added.
This sentence has not sat well with many. While her fans continue to blindly support her, K-pop fans in general have pointed out that smoking indoors, especially blowing smoke in someone's face, is not about culture but basic manners and decency. Many have criticized her for always playing the "victim" despite being at fault, with some even comparing her to the "Selena Gomez of K-pop."
Acting like she didn't blow the smoke on her makeup artist face while smoking. Always playing the victim. https://t.co/AjEXnFLqPL
— Lilie³²⁷ (@lalisa_Engfa) September 19, 2024
So she apologized only to cater to people and not because she genuinely felt like apologising? 😭 You're smoking on someone's face but somehow it's people's fault for calling you out? https://t.co/AMspWYdL1f
— S (@JisoosRevivaI) September 19, 2024
So she didn't apologize because she was guilty? She doesn't have the basic etiquette that blowing smoke on someone face is rude? She is so spoiled brat and disgusting https://t.co/HHkMGLlcRX
— Elliot (@LaIisa_LLoud) September 20, 2024
She's the Selena Gomez of kpop always the victim but never can own up https://t.co/bSRYAkfcjh
— 🖤 (@aIiencam) September 19, 2024
she went to the selena gomez school of playing the victim 😵💫 https://t.co/4eXxXTvyH9 pic.twitter.com/121Tgm7Z3e
— ّ (@_7CRISs) September 19, 2024
Cultural what? Girl it's called manners. Eew. https://t.co/x4LZY5SFUJ
— £ala🧚 (@L327__) September 20, 2024
About Jennie's vaping incident:
In July, a clip surfaced showing her preparing for her runway debut at fashion designer Jacquemus' show in Italy. A week later, the South Korean singer's representatives at OA (ODD ATELIER) issued an apology, stating that she had not intended to offend anyone by using a vape indoors.
"We sincerely apologize to everyone who felt uncomfortable with Jennie’s actions in the content released on the 2nd," read the note from OA Entertainment, a record label founded by the performer in 2023.
It continued: "Jennie acknowledges and deeply regrets her mistake of vaping indoors and causing inconvenience to the staff. Jennie has personally apologized to all the staff on-site who may have been affected."
"We apologize to her fans who have been disappointed through this incident. We hope to prevent this from reoccurring in the future. Thank you," the statement concluded.