Blackpink’s Jennie faces backlash for alleged indoor smoking

Jennie of Blackpink. Photo from Jennie’s Instagram

According to The Korea Times, a video uploaded by the singer to YouTube on July 2 showed her backstage preparations as a model for a Jacquemus show in Capri, Italy.

The video captures Jennie during a makeup and hairstyling session, where she seems to be holding and using an electronic cigarette. While being attended to by her staff, she is observed taking a puff and exhaling smoke.

Although the footage was later removed, Jennie’s behavior has been widely criticized as inconsiderate, especially towards the staff working in close proximity.

One internet user commented: “Do celebrities think indoor smoking is standard?”

“Even if you want to smoke, hold off,” another user said.

Korea JoongAng Daily reported that a netizen has reported Jennie’s indoor smoking to the Korean embassy in Italy, claiming the scene was filmed in Capri and urging an investigation and strict actions.

Born Kim Jennie in Seoul, the 28-year-old singer studied for five years in New Zealand before returning to South Korea to debut with Blackpink in 2016.

She launched her solo career in 2018 with the single “Solo.” Her latest song “You & Me” topped various international charts, including the U.K. Singles Downloads Chart, setting a record as the first song by a Korean female solo artist to do so.

Jennie has also made a notable impact in the fashion industry, representing major brands such as Chanel and Calvin Klein.

Her net worth is estimated at approximately US$10 million, not including any inheritance, as reported by the South China Morning Post. Her mother is said to be a shareholder in CJ E&M, a prominent entertainment company in South Korea.

Jennie founded her own agency Odd Atelier (OA) in November last year, after her contract with Blackpink’s management agency YG Entertainment ended. OA is dedicated to “creating new things that attract attention in a different way from what is usual or expected,” according to its social media profiles.

While managed by OA for her solo activities, Jennie continues to participate in group activities with Blackpink under the management of YG Entertainment.