By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
Blackpink star Jennie has issued an apology following a video showing her vaping indoors, which caused significant public outcry in South Korea. The K pop star was seen exhaling smoke that inadvertently blew into the face of her makeup artist, sparking widespread criticism. A popular YouTube comment questioned her manners, asking, "Do you need to be educated for all the basic manners?"
OA Entertainment, Jennie’s label, apologized to "everyone who felt uncomfortable with Jennie’s actions" and to her "disappointed" fans. The label also conveyed Jennie's personal apology to the staff "who may have been affected," emphasizing that Jennie acknowledges and deeply regrets her mistake of vaping indoors and causing inconvenience.
South Korean celebrities often face intense scrutiny, with the public holding them to high moral and behavioral standards. The controversial moment was initially part of a video posted on Jennie's official YouTube channel, which quickly spread among her more than 10 million subscribers. The video has since been deleted.
Criticism centered on the rudeness of blowing smoke in someone's face indoors. "It's not about smoking. Blowing smoke in the face of the staff indoors it's just rude," one YouTube comment read. Another added, "Even smokers know that you don't puff on your friends' face. You only do it when you really don't care about the people around you."
In South Korea, smoking and vaping indoors is illegal and punishable by a fine of up to ₩100,000 . However, it is unclear if Jennie was in South Korea when the video was filmed; some accounts suggest it may have been recorded in Italy, where vaping in enclosed public spaces is also prohibited. Jennie's agency has not clarified the video's location, but one South Korean viewer has demanded an investigation by their country's embassy in Italy and Seoul's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Jennie is not the first South Korean celebrity to face backlash over smoking. EXO's Doh Kyung soo and NCT's Haechan previously received public criticism and fines for smoking indoors, subsequently issuing public apologies.
While Jennie has faced significant backlash in South Korea, her international fans have been more supportive. Comments on her recent Instagram post include messages like, "Please don't listen anyone. You are queen and we will support you forever," and, "I still love you. We learn from the mistakes we make."
Blackpink, formed in 2016, is the world's most popular K pop girl group, with members Jisoo, Lisa, Jennie, and Rosé each achieving individual celebrity status.
