The suggestiveness and safety issues in the video have drawn serious criticism from netizens.
This follows last year's 'smoking association' controversy, which stirred further issues.
[TV Daily, Choi Hana] BLACKPINK's Jenny finds herself in a difficult position as controversies continue to surround her during her birthday week. Just as the 'smoking association' controversy subsided, a video of her party in a Japanese club surfaced, stirring debates about suggestiveness and safety issues.
On January 18, various social media platforms and online communities began circulating a brief video with the caption “Celebrating Jenny's birthday in Japan.” In the video, Jenny appears to be enjoying a party with friends and dancing in what looks to be a club. However, this celebration has been deemed inappropriate by many viewers.
The first point raised pertains to the party's suggestiveness. Behind Jenny, women dressed in lingerie and garter belts were seen holding champagne, which reminded viewers of the 'champagne girl' performances commonly associated with high-end nightlife venues. Additionally, safety concerns were severe. The video captured fireworks igniting against a closed indoor ceiling, something that could easily escalate to a significant fire hazard. Netizens reacted with comments like “This is too decadent for an idol’s birthday party,” and “Holding fireworks indoors reflects a dangerous disregard for safety.”
Furthermore, this incident highlights ongoing issues in Jenny's private life. A video showing her extinguishing birthday candles with her mouth sparked 'smoking association' controversy, reminiscent of a previous incident where she faced backlash for smoking in front of her staff in Italy, thus further disappointing the public.
This incident starkly illustrates the pressures Jenny faces as a member of the globally renowned group BLACKPINK. Every action she takes is scrutinized, and backlash is almost immediate, emphasizing how challenging life can be for an idol. Particularly, this episode raises questions about how idols should manage their private lives in the public eye.
Moreover, the disconnect between the image fans and the public expect of idols and reality becomes evident. While Jenny has garnered love for her glamorous persona, this incident puts that image at risk. This is not just an issue confined to her; it serves as a notable example of how sensitive idol culture is under the public’s gaze.
Finally, compared to other idols in similar situations, Jenny is held to a higher moral standard. The difference in expected behaviors highlights how the circumstances she faces take on significant social implications. This incident serves as a reminder of the urgent need within idol culture to address concerns about sexuality and safety.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: SNS
